tiffin unboxed

Strangely Delicious Foods - 85°C's Squid Ink Bread

It's hard to imagine eating a coal-black piece of food, and enjoying it. Recently I tried to convince a friend to try 85°C Bakery Cafe's pitch black squid ink rolls.


She stared at it for a long time, then took a leaf of faith and tried it, then liked it. They came warm and fresh right out of the oven when we arrived, so chances were they'd be great.

 These rolls taste very lightly of squid, mostly of garlic, due to the wonderful garlic mixture spread on top.


The inside contains a surprise treat of a light amount of white cheddar cheese.

Despite the heavy black look, they are light as air. In fact I jokingly compared them to molecular gastronomy Chef Jose Andres' famous "air bread" creation, which is crispy on the outside and hollow on the inside. and filled with aged cheddar sauce.


Once I got home with my box of these goodies among many others, I balanced out the treats by enjoying some fresh and colorful grilled vegetables.

 These treats show one of the many reasons I enjoy 85°C so much. You can read about my other favorites at this bakery on my previous 85°C post, by clicking on this link.

85°C Bakery Cafe's Sea Salt Coffee

For this post, we are staying with theme of foam atop coffee. Based on the photo below, what time of day do you think it is? Does that change if I add that this is in Irvine in Orange County, California?

85°C Bakery Cafe at 11:45 p.m.

Having lived in Irvine for several years in the past, I was hard pressed to find even a fast food location open past 9:00 p.m. Things have changed. On my way home from visiting friends I stopped by 85°C Bakery Cafe. The hour drive back home was long and one of their uniquely delicious Sea Salt Coffee would surely hit the spot.

Yet at a quarter to midnight there was hardly any parking and the store was packed. The employee who took my order after a long line said they have to practically kick people out upon closing each night!

85°C Bakery Cafe - Sea Salt Coffee Poster

The reason this spot is a must-visit spot for me anytime I'm in Irvine (as far as I'm aware, this is the only branch of this cafe outside Taiwan) is this beverage of slightly sweetened iced coffee topped with a creamy foam whipped with sea salt.

85°C Bakery Cafe - Sea Salt Coffee to go

85°C Bakery Cafe - Sea Salt Coffee foam

Semi-sweet chocolate powder comes sprinkled over the top of foam, adding even more complexity to the balance of sweet, salty, creamy, coffee tastes.

85°C Bakery Cafe - almost empty bakery section

Unfortunately, the bakery was almost sold out at this late hour. But thanks to my friend Robert, who turned me on to this coffee in the first place, I tried some of their buttery baked goods such as lightly garlicky squid ink buns and Okinawan brown sugar cakes.