Filipino-Inspired Cafe
Malaya Coffee & Ice Cream, a Filipino-inspired cafe newly opened in Silverlake, offers a wide range of coffee and matcha drinks, as well as Ensaymadas and ice cream. With its spacious area and cozy seating arranged throughout, it provides a perfect atmosphere for a leisurely stay.
Since it was our first visit, we decided to order a variety of items from the menu. We chose Malaya Signature and Banana Matcha for drinks, Ube and Queso de Bola for Ensaymada, and Guava Paloma and Ube Coconut for ice cream, allowing us to sample a bit of everything.
The Malaya Signature was a latte that blended a subtle sweetness with deep flavors from the very first sip. The balance of sweet and nutty flavors was impressive, and the gentle aroma of cinnamon rounded it off nicely, leaving a warm aftertaste. The Banana Matcha was a delightful combination of the sweetness of banana and the bitterness of matcha, with the smooth harmony of the two ingredients being particularly striking. Initially, it seemed like it might be a bit heavy, but it turned out to be lighter and fresher than expected, making it easy to enjoy.
The Ube Ensaymada caught my eye with its rich purple ube cream topping and surprised me with its fluffy and soft texture. The bread itself was almost not sweet, which complemented the sweet ube cream well, making it a memorable dessert option. The Queso de Bola Ensaymada was notable for its savory cheese flavor, with the soft bun and salty topping creating a rich, nutty taste. This combination leans more towards savory than sweet, making it a great choice when you’re not in the mood for a sugary dessert. It offered a different charm from the ube, and it was fun to compare the two within the same fluffy texture.
The Guava Paloma ice cream burst with a refreshing fruity aroma the moment I took a bite, instantly uplifting my mood. The soft texture combined with a subtle citrus aroma made it a perfect ice cream for hot weather. The Ube Coconut ice cream blended the nutty sweetness of ube with the smooth flavor of coconut, creating a rich taste. Its thick and creamy texture was satisfying, making it an ideal finish to the meal.
Malaya Coffee & Ice Cream
From drinks to Ensaymadas and ice cream, every item at Malaya Coffee & Ice Cream left a strong impression, and I found myself curious about the menu items I hadn’t tried yet, making me look forward to my next visit. If you’re looking for a cafe to stop by in Silverlake, why not give this place a try?
