Ping Coombes' Breakfast Club review ★★★★★

In a nutshell: MasterChef winner Ping Coombes’ curated Breakfast Club boasts a different set menu each month to showcase various forms of Asian breakfast cuisines. This month, Culture Whisper was fortunate enough to sample dishes inspired by her hometown of Ipoh, Malayasia.

The space: Slightly removed from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street, Chi Kitchen is located on the ground floor of Debenhams’ flagship store.

Despite the unconventional location, the place comes to life inside: flooded with golden lighting, covered in pine wood and blue tiles, the dining area is both trendy and elegant. You can watch the chefs prepare delicious plates from behind a marble-topped bar, framed by big bare electric bulbs like a Hollywood vanity mirror.

The food: Ping Coombes isn't beholden to your Western brunch standards. Much like John Huges', Ping Coombes' Breakfast Club combines unconventional elements to exalt a beloved formula.

Lamb murtabak is a Malaysian flatbread stuffed with spiced lamb mince, served with pickled shallots and curry sauce. The dish is a tasteful alternative to fluffy scrambled eggs. Next is a Gai See Hor Fun soup from Ipoh, Coombes' hometown. Soft rice noodles float in a buttery broth alongside shredded chicken, prawns, and garlic chives. For dessert, there's Kuih Talam – a two-layered Pandan cake that resembles a jelly shot crafted by an art major. This is partially due to the natural neon-green colour that occurs as a result of utilising Pandan leaves grown in-house, and partially due to the steaming preparation method.

The tastes are bold and precise. Each course is a light explosion of flavour you wouldn't expect for brunch. The healthy set menu provides the heartiness of a full English breakfast without leaving you feeling weighed down.

Would we go again: Yes – either for another Breakfast Club or to sample Chi Kitchen's regular menu.