Bingsu and bang-on toasties share the spotlight at new West End cafe Semi Semi
If you often find it hard to conveniently satisfy your sweet tooth and scratch the savoury itch at the same time, allow us to introduce you to a handy hideaway where you can quash both cravings at once. Semi Semi is earning buzz for its range of chomp-worthy sandwiches and its decadent selection of Korean-style shaved ice desserts. We popped in for a gander – here’s what we saw …
Ever tried bingsu? It’s okay if you haven’t. The Korean milk-based shaved ice dessert is still a confection curio in Brisbane’s sweet-treat scene – but it won’t be for long, if the crew behind Semi Semi has anything to say about it.
The cubbyhole-sized cafe opened in February off Boundary Street in West End, quietly yet quickly gaining a cult following of in-the-know foodies who got clued in early to Semi Semi’s tidy twofer offering. Semi Semi, named for its semi-sweet and semi-savoury menu, is hanging its hat on two main specialties – tip-top toasted sandwiches and the aforementioned bingsu.
Operated by a seasoned hospo crew with a background in restaurant dining, Semi Semi was inspired by Melbourne’s heaving coffee scene and widely lauded sandwich slingers. After deciding to bring a touch of Melbourne magic to Brisbane, the team snagged a cosy site in a newly developed laneway next to West Village. Though on the small side, the cafe boasts a modern interior, with a neutral colour palette giving off a sense of warmth and approachability. With space restrictions in mind, Semi Semi is geared towards takeaway custom. However, if they get in early, guests can still slide into position along the cushy banquette inside or park their posterior on one of the scattered seats in the laneway.
Sandwich seekers will find a lot to like about Semi Semi’s menu of toasted sandwiches. The range favours classic fillings (you’ve got a classic tuna melt, pastrami, pickles and sauerkraut, and a turbocharged ham and cheese sandwich), but connoisseurs will no doubt gravitate towards a couple of specialties. The Spicy Beef Blaze (slow-cooked beef, onion, pickles, Swiss cheese and special sauce) and the Truffle Mushroom Stack (oven-roasted portobello and mushroom cups, truffle mayo, mozzarella and Swiss cheese) are bona fide belters. Want something not toasted? Semi Semi also serves a clutch of fresh sandwiches, with fillings like chicken and red pesto, classic deli meats and a salad sandwich also sure to satisfy.
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Semi Semi’s bingsu menu is stacked with a drool-worthy array of decadent options. Top sellers include the Thai Frosted Bliss (Thai milk tea-flavoured bingsu served with white pearls and mango popping pearls), the strawberry-flavoured Pink Frosted Delight (accompanied by lychee popping pearls and rainbow jelly) and the Grey Dream (Earl Grey-flavoured bingsu with white pearls and red bean).
Those in search of an energy hit are amply catered for, with Semi Semi serving cups of specialty brew from Seven Miles Coffee Roasters alongside smoothies, iced peanut-butter lattes and iced pistachio lattes, as well as matcha- and hojicha-based beverages.
The sky is the limit for the Semi Semi team, who envision potentially opening multiple locations across Brisbane in the future. For now, you can find Semi Semi’s operating hours and other important info in The Directory.