TikTok-Viral Japanese Appliance Brand Balmuda Opens First Singapore Store

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The Japanese appliance brand, founded in 2003, is most famous for its TikTok-trending gadget called The Toaster, which was touted as the next best thing since the sliced bread it toasts.

Other than looking sleek on your kitchen counter, it also uses “steam technology” to crisp up the exterior of a piece of bread or pastry while retaining its soft, fluffy middle. And yep, during a product showcase 8days.sg attended, it works for stale croissants too.

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Balmuda’s first Singapore store

Previously, you could buy Balmuda products mostly only online via third-party sellers. These appliances usually don’t come with Singapore-compliant three-pin plugs, and customers have to use a separate universal adapter.

But Balmuda has since set up its first Singapore store corner at Takashimaya, where you can immediately buy your appliances (with a three-pin plug) and take them home on the spot.

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Other than its famous high-end toaster, which is called The Toaster, Balmuda also makes other products like a rice cooker, fan, kettle, speaker and lantern, all sporting a minimalist look.

But for the launch of its local outlet, only its toaster and an ergonomic electric kettle called The Pot will be available for purchase. The Toaster costs S$539 and The Pot is priced at S$299. Not cheap, we know, but we suspect you are also paying a premium for the bragging rights. Both come in either white or black, for now.

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Steam technology

Each toaster comes with a tiny 5cc cup, which you are meant to fill with water and pour into a dedicated compartment on the top of the appliance. This will create the steam that gives your bakes a certain pillowy texture with a crisp bite.

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It’s pretty idiot-proof

There are five temperature modes on The Toaster: Sandwich Mode, Artisan Bread Mode (which is for atas bread that’s not your square white bread loaf lah), Pizza Mode (also used for bagels), Pastry Mode (for croissants etc) and Oven Mode (for baking cookies and cakes, up to 250 degs Celsius). If you are not sure which mode to use, there are cute little food logos beside the dial knob to guide you.

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Aesthetic hotplate 

We also spotted an intriguing product called The Plate at the showcase. This is basically Balmuda’s chic version of an electric hotplate which you can use to host your own K-BBQ or fulfil your Benihana chef fantasies at home.

According to the local distributor, this is not in our market yet, but is slated for a future release date along with other gadgets like the rice cooker and electric fans. Cool.

Balmuda’s Singapore store is at B1 Takashimaya Department Store. Open 10am-9.30pm daily. For more info, go to www.balmuda.com.sg.

Photos: Yip Jieying

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