Walking into Mizuniwa Aquascape Cafe feels like stepping into an aquarium gallery but with a delicious twist.
Imagine sipping on your favourite cup of coffee or indulging in a slice of cake, but instead of staring at your phone screen or rushing through your thoughts, you get to enjoy beautiful tetra fish and other species swimming gracefully around you, creating a relaxing underwater landscape.
This is exactly the experience Charlotte Siow and Stephan Fernandez have curated.
If you’ve ever felt the need to disconnect from the daily grind, this one-of-a-kind cafe offers something more than your average cosy coffee spot, allowing one to sip and snack while being captivated by these living works of art.
This passion project-turned-business melds with Charlotte and Stephan’s vision of creating a place to unwind, recharge, and reconnect with nature.
From side hustle to soothing cafe haven
Charlotte, a former senior finance manager at CBRE Malaysia, and Stephan, an IT consultant specialising in Microsoft Dynamics, both led busy corporate lives. However, the onset of the pandemic brought unexpected challenges.
Stephan faced a 50% pay cut, which placed immense mental and financial strain on the couple. Seeking a mental escape, they stumbled upon aquascaping through YouTube and were instantly captivated. What began as a relaxing hobby soon grew into a passion.
As their interest deepened, Stephan and Charlotte discovered that finding quality aquascaping equipment locally was difficult. They began sourcing and selling equipment themselves, eventually becoming the Malaysian distributors for Week Aqua, a popular brand for lighting in aquascaping.
This side business, Sscapers Aquatics, became a saving grace during tough times, providing them with a steady stream of income and an unexpected foray into entrepreneurship.
While their aquascaping business grew, Stephan’s long-held dream was to open a steakhouse. Since his 20s, he had imagined running a restaurant, but the financial risks were daunting.
With both of them being passionate foodies, the idea of launching a food-related business always lingered in the back of their minds. However, rather than jumping straight into a full-blown restaurant, the couple decided to fuse their love for food and aquascaping, creating something entirely new.
“We didn’t want to be just another aquascape shop,” Stephan explained. “We wanted to reach a wider audience, not just hobbyists.”
Thus, Mizuniwa was born, a space where customers could enjoy delicious food and drinks while being surrounded by calming aquascapes.
And fun fact, the name Mizuniwa is Japanese for “water garden”.
A healing space for the mind and soul
Drawing from their own experiences, they knew firsthand the healing effects of watching fish swim gracefully among vibrant underwater plants.
Speaking to Vulcan Post, they said, “Every day, we’d enjoy our coffee in front of our aquascapes at home, and it really became a calming, mentally stimulating part of our day.”
This connection with nature became the backbone of Mizuniwa’s design. Each aquascape tank is carefully positioned to create a relaxing atmosphere, whether the cafe is bustling or quiet.
Stephan and Charlotte hope their cafe can serve as a retreat from the fast-paced world of corporate life, offering customers a unique place to unwind, work, or simply take a mental break.
“Guests can choose tables facing the aquariums for a serene view, group and family tables for those working or gathering together, or more secluded spots that provide privacy for couples or students looking for a quiet corner to study,” shared the founders.
Aquascapes, in general, have an uncanny ability to bring a sense of calm and peace. The careful balance of light, water, and greenery gives the cafe an atmosphere that’s serene yet full of life.
It’s a therapeutic hobby that they want to share with more people, especially in today’s hyperconnected world. And the interest certainly seems to be there.
While remote working there, I saw a couple bring their children for the first time and it was heartwarming to see the kids’ excitement as they watched and even fed the fish. The founders even took time to share educational moments with them.
Other patrons popped in for a takeaway drink or settled in with brewed teas, enjoying the calming aquascapes.
Menu that’s easy to maintain
The pair took a strategic approach when crafting their menu, knowing that maintaining the aquascapes would come with additional costs.
As a result, the cafe started with a curated selection of desserts and drinks.
“Our menu is also designed so that one ingredient can be used in multiple different items; for example, our strawberry compote, which is made in-house, is used in at least three items (Strawberry Matcha Latte, Soda, Tiramisu),” they noted.
Their signature drink, the Strawberry Matcha Latte, and creative ‘tirumisu’ flavours like Kaya Butter and Strawberry Matcha are just a few examples of their commitment to fresh, high-quality offerings. Trying the desserts and drinks ourselves, we liked how they still felt indulgent even though they weren’t very sweet at all.
Initially, the cafe focused solely on drinks and desserts—dishes the duo could handle themselves while learning the ropes of the F&B business.
They have since expanded their menu, introducing donburi dishes (beef, salmon, and spicy chicken) to appeal to a broader audience.
Overcoming challenges with passion and patience
Running a business is never easy, and Mizuniwa is no exception. One major challenge the couple faces is balancing the cafe’s dual nature as both an eatery and an aquascaping gallery.
On one hand, the tanks require daily maintenance to stay pristine, and on the other, they must manage food preparation and service. Without any additional staff, Charlotte and Stephan juggle these tasks themselves, with Stephan handling most of the tank upkeep.
Stephan shared that they spent around RM150,000 in total for the setting up of all the tanks in his cafe, with each costing around RM15,000 to RM18,000. The aquarium tanks range from 4 feet to 6 feet long.
They’ve also had to ensure the cafe is safe for all visitors, especially families with children. “We took extra care to make sure the tanks are stable and they won’t shatter even if someone runs into them,” Stephan noted.
Despite the challenges, the duo’s passion and dedication keep them going. “The F&B side is definitely more challenging for us,” they admitted, “But we’re learning every day. It’s all about understanding customer preferences and avoiding wastage.”
Looking ahead, the founders have ambitious plans for Mizuniwa. They envision expanding the business, possibly to other states, and introducing workshops and events focused on aquascaping and mental wellness.
“We want to show people how aquascaping can be a therapeutic hobby, especially for mental health,” Stephan said.
They’re also considering offering a maintenance subscription for private customers, helping them keep their own tanks in top condition while supplementing the cafe’s revenue.
Ultimately, Mizuniwa Aquascape Cafe is more than just a place to eat—it’s a tranquil escape. For aquascaping hobbyists, it’s a place to appreciate the art without the hassle of maintenance. For foodies, it’s a unique spot to enjoy fresh, quality treats. And for everyone else, it’s a sanctuary of calm amidst the daily chaos of life.
- You can learn more about Mizuniwa Aquascape Cafe here.
- Read other articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.
Featured Image Credit: Mizuniwa Aquascape Cafe
