If there’s one thing I take more seriously than a perfectly brewed kopitiam coffee, it’s my tiramisu. Yes, I am a tiramisu purist, and you better believe that I don’t just dabble in this decadent Italian dessert—I go all in.
We’re talking about a tiramisu addiction here, people. It’s an experience, not just a dessert. So, join me on an adventure as I embark on a tiramisu throwdown, sampling this classic confection at 9 different eateries across KL and PJ.
Spoiler alert: nothing I’ve sampled on this adventure, can beat my ultimate favourite tiramisu, which unfortunately is in Italy. I told you I take my tiramisu seriously. Last year, I flew all the way to Rome, Italy, only to have the best tiramisu I’ve ever had in my entire life. It was the epitome of absolute perfection and made me consider moving to Rome!
Would it be fair for me to judge these 9 tiramisus by that gold standard? No. Am I going to do it anyway? Yes.
A world away from our dot on the map, what did this flawless tiramisu in Italy actually taste like? It boasted a delicate balance of creamy mascarpone, and robust espresso, with just a sprinkle of cocoa powder on the top. It had just the right amount of sweetness and the ladyfingers had the ideal density. Each spoonful was decadent, comforting, and truly, an experience. It was also very affordable and the portion was just right.
These factors will serve as the benchmark for judging the 9 tiramisus. I’ll be scrutinising every layer and nuance of each local rendition, though remember, my personal preference may not be yours.
1. OGA Tea & Dining
Image Credit: MFT & Racine Low (Google Reviews)
I paid a whopping RM33.90 at their TRX outlet, but OGA’s tiramisu left much to be desired. The balance was off with far too much mascarpone and too little ladyfingers. I found myself choking on an overwhelming amount of cocoa powder that left me coughing for the rest of the day.
There was barely any coffee flavour and the inclusion of small chocolate cereal balls disrupted the smooth texture of a classic tiramisu. Don’t you forget: I am a traditionalist when it comes to tiramisu.
The wooden box it was served in, while aesthetic, was inconvenient to eat from. The mascarpone lacked flavour and creaminess, making the whole experience nearly unbearable. I had to force myself to finish it. For the price? This was severely disappointing.
2. Yellow Brick Road
Image Credit: Ulfa & Yellow Brick Road (Google Reviews)
This tiramisu impresses with its presentation and texture, showcasing a thick and decadent consistency that holds its form well. For RM24, it was a satisfying portion but disappointed a little in terms of flavour, and I did not enjoy the espresso cream sauce it was served with.
Don’t get me wrong, it was a decent tiramisu, one of the better ones, but it didn’t quite deliver a sought-after tiramisu experience.
3. Portofino
Image Credit: Andrea & M Y Woo (Google Reviews)
Although I prefer my tiramisu alcohol-free, this one surprised me. Aside from its nice presentation, it was rich and quite enjoyable. The alcohol was not as strong as I expected it to be, but it did introduce a bitterness that I personally find unappealing.
Despite being one of the better options sampled, the portion is rather small and doesn’t quite justify its price at RM32.50. If they had an alcohol-free option, I’m confident that it would rank quite high on my list.
4. JINGS Specialty Coffee
Image Credit: Siew Yok Lim & Ivan Han (Google Reviews)
For some reason unbeknown to me, I had high expectations for this one. While the mascarpone itself was sweet and creamy, I could taste the separate layers and elements of the dessert, individually. Which means that the components weren’t blending well together.
It also wasn’t holding its shape very well. The ladyfingers were on the drier side, which detracted from the overall experience. Bear in mind that I got this particular one to-go, so maybe I would have had a different experience had I dined-in.
Reasonably priced at RM19, I will be giving this one a second try at some point.
5. WOP Bangsar
One bite of this and I thought I had found my favourite. It was sweet, creamy, and the portion was decent. I certainly wasn’t choking on the cocoa powder, but as I continued to eat it, I found that it left an odd aftertaste in the mouth.
The ladyfingers are a bit spongy and the ingredients for this one didn’t feel particularly high-quality. It could also benefit from a bit more cream to enhance the richness. However if you can look past these factors, it’s a nice offering for RM22.
6. Pause Cafe
This cafe went viral for their RM18 kopitiam tiramisu so of course I had to see what the hype was all about. I was disappointed to learn that they use a cream cheese base instead of a traditional mascarpone. This gave it that rich and creamy texture that I’ve been looking for, but also made it a little too dense, sour, and a tad bit greasy.
The espresso is quite strong in this one which I didn’t mind and there were bits of chocolate that added a pleasant touch. The overall spoonful is somewhat marred by the incorporation of cream cheese, but if you’re a cheese lover, you have to try this. It just doesn’t quite hit the mark as a personal favourite.
7. Nero Nero
Nero Nero’s mascarpone cream might be one of my favourites, perfectly sweetened with the right volume. The presentation was impressive and portion generous for RM23. It also had a balanced ratio of ladyfingers to cream.
Unfortunately, this tiramisu includes alcohol, and while I wish I could say that I could barely taste it, the bitterness was overwhelming. There was also a bit of choking because of the cocoa powder. This one is definitely for those who enjoy boozy desserts, a shame, as it might have been my top choice if not for the alcohol.
8. Alta Pizza
Let me preface by saying that this one is for all you tiramisu experimentalists out there.
Priced at RM24, Alta offers a unique twist on the traditional dessert with a prominent orange liqueur flavour and bits of orange. It was zesty and more fruity than espresso based. The cream is pleasantly sweet complemented by quality cocoa powder.
It was served in a metal bowl, but would definitely not hold its shape otherwise. As it stands, it was an intriguing experience.
9. Bottega KL
At RM26, Bottega’s tiramisu had the biggest portion, with a simple presentation, nothing fussy. I actually appreciated this, there was something comforting about it. A generational family recipe, the mascarpone was perfect, I just wish that there was way more of it.
The bottom layer of ladyfingers are overwhelmed by an excess of cocoa powder, so I couldn’t really taste the espresso, which was disappointing. I would suggest making it more decadent and luxurious with thicker layers of mascarpone cream, reducing the cocoa, and adding more espresso. Nearly there, but not quite.
Who is the MVP of this quest?
Unfortunately, after sampling all 9 tiramisus, I found that each one fell short in some way or another. While they all had their moments of approval, none came close to capturing the magic I found in Italy. Each variant had its own unique qualities, but not one truly stole my heart.
Nevertheless, here are my recommendations. If you enjoy a tiramisu with alcohol, definitely give Portofino and Nero Nero a try. Those who, like me, are chasing something classic, Bottega KL is the one for you. If you’re not fussy about your tiramisu, WOP, JINGS, and Yellow Brick Road should suffice.
It breaks my heart to acknowledge that my favourite tiramisu is a world away. Hence, my quest for the perfect tiramisu continues, as I remain on the lookout for a spot that satisfies like my Roman marvel.
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