Cafe Yoka Brings Asian-Accented Breakfast Dishes and Plenty of Soufflé Pancakes to Floreat

Jer Ling Wong has eaten a lot of bread this year.

Before she introduced breakfast at Cafe Yoka, she took herself on a carby circumnavigation of the Perth bakery scene to find the perfect bread for each dish.

“Every single thing I put on the menu, even simple things like a toastie, I first had to try the bread,” says Wong. “I tried almost 10 bakeries. It had to be the right texture, the right size – I am very particular.”

Loafers Artisan came up trumps with the best bread for dishes like the pulled beef and kimchi toastie, while shokupan from Little Home Bakery is the base of the brisket Benedict.

Cafe Yoka is the sister venue of Northbridge dessert spot Kumo. Both cafes are owned by Wong and her husband Aaron Seow, a trained chef. Before Kumo, they opened Old Cathay in Vic Park in 2010 and later launched a string of other Chinese restaurants.

At Yoka, the plan was to just sell Kumo’s signature soufflé cloud pancakes and tiramisu slices, but soon they found themselves beefing up the menu to meet local demand.

Beyond the bready dishes, the team is serving a comforting mushroom congee, topped with preserved greens, house-made chilli oil, onsen egg and seasonal mushrooms; and udon carbonara with crispy pancetta, guanciale, mentaiko and chives.

Breakfast is served until 2pm, but toasties and the cafe’s signature pancakes are served into the evening.

The classic soufflé pancake is served with La Ferme Marinette pure golden maple syrup from Quebec. “It tastes like spring in Canada; crisp, fresh and clean, and not overly sweet,” says Wong.

Drinks are served in Robert Gordon mugs. There’s pedigree in the drinks list with ceremonial-grade Uji matcha from Matsu Tea Roastery and loose leaf teas from Teassential.

The cafe takes its name from a Japanese word. There are a few translations – “good”, “nice” or “leisure time” – all of which feel apt.

Cafe Yoka

2/447 Cambridge Street, Floreat

No phone

Hours:

Mon to Thu 7am–9pm

Fri and Sat 7am–10pm

Sun 7am–9pm

@cafe.yoka