Hybrid businesses aren’t all that rare these days. You’ve probably seen a few, right? Bookshops that double as pet daycares, or cafés that sell vinyl records. It’s interesting to see how people mash together two completely different ideas.
A few weeks ago, we learnt of a new hybrid concept in Subang. It’s called Noto, and it’s not just a cafe, it’s also an… autospa. Car-themed cafes are one thing, but this was another level entirely. So, we had to check it out for ourselves.
The three amigos
What we found in SS19 was yet another Japanese-inspired cafe, with welcoming wooden accents. But what made it stood out was that it shares its space with Ura Autospa, and both are run by the same team. The co-founders, Joel, Jon and Jaya, are close friends, hence why they decided to open this amalgamation of a business.
Whilst gawking at polished, shiny Volkswagen Beetles, we ran into Jaya, the chap in charge of the autospa. “Our main forte is restoring classic cars,” he told us proudly.
Ura’s clientele mainly consists of car enthusiasts and collectors who send in their cars for refurbishment. The team does that immaculately, restoring each car to its former glory. If you have a classic sedan at home that’s lost its shine, now you know where to go.
As your car is getting pampered, you can head over to Noto, where Joel and Jon run the show. Noto occupies two floors, with the ground floor dedicated to the coffee bar, while the upstairs is home to the bakery and seating area.
Standout matcha & houjicha
Like most Japanese-inspired cafés, Noto’s menu leans heavily on matcha-based beverages. Of these, the Matcha Latte was the biggest standout. It was grassy, ever so slightly sweet and just a very slight touch of bitterness. They also offer oat milk as an alternative to whole milk.
The Houjicha Latte is sweet, but it’s the smokiness that makes it oh-so-addictive. There is a pleasant nuttiness with every sip. And in this Malaysian heat, you’ll want to have yours iced.
Fresh sourdough daily
Good tea is best paired with good pastries. Thankfully, pastries are plentiful upstairs at Noto. Upstairs, you’ll be greeted with row after row of freshly baked sourdough pastries.
All the pastries are made in-house and you can watch the magic happen through a glass window to the baking area. Or, just sit back and soak in the café’s cosy, laid-back atmosphere.
Tantalising tiramisu & tomatoes
Image Credit: The Wandering Tofu (Right)
With the ongoing tiramisu craze, it’s worth trying Noto’s take on the Italian cake. Noto’s Tiramisu is refreshingly restrained, not overindulgent in sweetness. You can actually taste the coffee amidst the heavy cream. A faint hint of saltiness gives it more depth.
For something more savoury than sweet, go for the Tomato Danish. The berries (yes, tomatoes are berries) burst with juice and flavour, making it surprisingly filling for its size.
Worth your time?
Ultimately, even if you don’t have a car in need of a polish, stopping by Noto is still well worth the visit. Between the scent of freshly baked pastries, the aroma of tea, and the sight of classic cars gleaming nearby, its an oddly satisfying match that just works.
Who knows what other unique business ideas are in the making as we speak? A cat cafe and cinema, anyone?
Noto Cafe & Bakery
Address: 4, Jln SS19/6, SS 19, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm daily
Contact: 011-54243526
Halal Status: Pork-free
You should also check out: Mervy’s Hotdogs & Shakes: A unique hotdog bar in PJ serving homemade hotdogs & Mexican cocktails
