Yin’s Sourdough Bakery, a well-known home brand for its artisanal bread and cozy atmosphere, is a staple in Penang’s culinary scene.
From humble beginnings as a bakery specializing in sourdough bread, Yin’s has built a loyal following and become a well-known name in Penang’s cafe scene.
As a long-time fan, I’ve watched the bakery evolve and flourish.
From sourdough, Yin’s has since expanded its offerings to include a variety of mains and desserts.
And they’ve even started roasting their own coffee beans.
I’m impressed by the brand’s expansion from one bakery to eight cafes across Malaysia.
I wonder how they maintain such consistent quality.
Even though there have been mixed reviews and some friends have stopped going, I still drop by occasionally.
I’m always drawn by nostalgia, hoping each visit will rekindle the charm I fell in love with long ago.
I usually visit their outlet in Gurney Walk for a coffee when I have a quick meeting.
Their coffee is strong for my taste, but I don’t mind supporting a local brand.
Yin’s Sourdough Gurney Walk
Recently, Justin and I had a business brunch at their outlet, conveniently located next to the Gurney Walk main entrance and the Ascott Gurney Penang.
While we expected a sourdough-centric menu, they also offer an extensive assortment of traditional loaves and pastries.
And why not?
We noted that the bakery provides a range of healthy options, including Kombucha and Kefir.
Despite being understaffed, the team made an effort to clear tables promptly.
They had only a cashier, a server, and two kitchen staff members.
However, they ensured we received our orders without long waits.
We understand the challenges in the restaurant industry and appreciate the team’s dedication at Yin’s Sourdough.
Despite mixed reviews, we wanted to try the food and form our opinions.
Yin’s Sourdough ‘Egg Benedict’ and ‘Big Breakfast’
Unfortunately, our recent visit did not meet our expectations.
It’s important to share the details of our disappointing experience as constructive feedback for improvement.
Like many others, Yin’s Sourdough has gone digital, with ordering done via QR code.
We were feeling ravenous and promptly ordered our meal.
My last Eggs Benedict was from the defunct Secawan’ n’ Such.
Seeing the item on the menu made me feel nostalgic.
I vividly remember the taste, look, and mouthfeel of the last Eggs Benedict I had there at Secawan’ n’ Such in 2015.
I was excited to relive that experience.
If you know me personally, you might know that I occasionally forget the cities I’ve visited, but I always remember the taste of good food!
At Secawan, Chef Alex served perfectly poached eggs with a to-die-for Hollandaise sauce, making it my favorite breakfast dish.
I have imprinted the memory of that ‘Ms. Bearnaise’ and ‘Mr. Benedict’ and that incredible, unforgettable taste.
Secawan’ n’ Such ‘Ms. Bearnaise’ and ‘Mr. Benedict’ set the bar high for Eggs Benedict with their delicious presentation and flavors.
Like my first childhood sweetheart, nothing else comes close.
Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon
Eggs Benedict is often a highlight of a good brunch, so I was eager to try Yin’s version.
Yin’s Sourdough’s rendition of Eggs Benedict was a big letdown, emphasizing how crucial it is to get the poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce right.
We appreciate the effort, but the cafe needs to get this right.
The poached egg was overcooked, resulting in a texture that differed from what we had hoped for.
Instead of traditional English muffins, they served the poached eggs on limp croissants, which didn’t complement the other ingredients.
The most notable difference was the Hollandaise sauce.
Initially, we thought it had been left out.
When we asked the server, we learned that the poached eggs were topped with their ‘Hollandaise sauce,’ which oddly resembled melted cheese with a ‘torched’ appearance.
The consistency was something I could peel off.
Later, I was served a thimble-sized portion, which still differed from classic Hollandaise.
It had a mustardy taste and lacked the expected buttery richness.
Yin’s Sourdough’s rendition of Eggs Benedict was a big letdown
Hollandaise Sauce
Hollandaise sauce, a classic hot egg-emulsified butter sauce, should have a glossy and smooth appearance, with a perfect blend of richness and lightness at its best.
We hope the team takes note of these aspects and considers refining their recipe to enhance the dish.
For example, they could maintain the sauce’s warm temperature and smooth consistency by keeping it in a thermos.
We understand that every place has its twist on classic dishes, and we appreciate Yin’s creativity in trying something different—but it wasn’t something I could accept.
I offered it to Justin to try a taste.
The look on his face said it all, accompanied by a soft “No, thank you.”
He had his own issues with the Big Breakfast he ordered.
Big Breakfast
Sadly, the Big Breakfast, which also promised a hearty start to the day, fell short.
To our surprise, the dish came with sliced plain bread—not a slice of sourdough in sight.
This omission was wildly unexpected, given the cafe’s name and its specialty focus on sourdough.
There was no butter or jam, leaving the toasts cold, dry, and unappealing.
We asked for butter, and the server brought us some. There was no jam…
Yin’s Sourdough Big Breakfast just toasted sliced bread without butter or jam
Conclusion
Both dishes fell short of expectations.
The food didn’t reflect the quality Justin and I anticipated from Yin’s reputation.
We hope the management takes this feedback as a constructive opportunity for improvement.
With some adjustments, Yin’s can continue to stand out in the culinary scene and regain its reputation for excellence.
For those planning a visit, it might be wise to manage expectations.
Yin’s Sourdough Gurney Walk
13F, Gurney Walk, 18, Gurney Dr,
10250 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meal.
