Our Beginning

In 1976, Ricky Kang founded Santino Coffee Singapore with a simple mission: to roast traditional Nanyang kopi for a community that lived and breathed coffee. His passion was built on the belief that coffee connects people — in kopitiams, in homes, and eventually in cafés.

Evolving with Singapore

As Singapore transformed into a cosmopolitan hub in the 1990s, so did Santino. We introduced Western-style espresso-based coffee, bridging tradition with modern café culture. From kopitiams to luxury hotels, Santino grew with the nation, becoming one of Singapore’s largest coffee roasteries and equipment suppliers.

A New Generation

Today, Santino is led by second-generation roaster Kang Yiyang. Born into the heritage of kopi yet trained in the craft of specialty coffee, Yiyang embodies Santino’s essence: Innovation Grounded in Heritage. He has become one of the region’s most respected roasters, consistently roasting for competitors who achieve national and global accolades, and now leading Santino to the world stage.

Our Future

Santino’s journey is one of bridging East and West, heritage and innovation, tradition and progress. From Rainforest Alliance certification to FSSC22000 quality standards, from kopi cups to world championships, we continue to lead Singapore’s coffee story into the future — empowering businesses, professionals, and communities to thrive.

Why Santino Exists

Santino exists to elevate coffee culture and empower communities — from the traditional Nanyang brews that shaped Singapore’s heritage to the modern specialty coffees driving today’s café scene. 

We are more than a roastery: Santino is a trusted partner in coffee, providing quality beans, world-class equipment, and after-sales expertise that enable our customers to thrive. Our leadership in the coffee realm is also reflected through active participation in the Singapore Barista Championships every year, as well as roasting for competitors across the region for over a decade. In 2025, our Head of Coffee, Wong Ruoqi, will proudly represent Santino on the world stage at the World Barista Championships in Milan. 

At our core, we exist to honor tradition, embrace progress, and cultivate sustainable coffee experiences, ensuring Santino remains at the forefront of coffee excellence in Singapore and beyond.