Life is better when it’s sweeter—and luckily for us, Singapore has sweet treats galore for dessert lovers to indulge in. Whether you’re after traditional local favourites or creative modern classics, we take a look at some of Singapore’s most decadent, drool-worthy desserts and the best places to enjoy them.
Chendol
Old Amoy Chendol
Named by CNN as one of the best desserts in the world, it’s not a proper trip to Singapore unless you’ve eaten a bowl of chendol jelly. Beating the heat doesn’t get more delicious than with this sweet iced dessert, which features ingredients like green rice flour jelly (typically shaped like worms), shaved ice, coconut milk, adzuki beans and gula melaka (palm sugar).
Old Amoy Chendol serves one dish only—the clue’s in the name—so you can trust they know a thing or two about how to create what many people rank as Singapore’s best chendol. Their secret? A recipe passed down by the owner’s grandfather and top-quality ingredients made fresh daily, all at only $2 a bowl.
Location: Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre, 335 Smith Street #02-008, Singapore
Gelato
Birds Of Paradise
Singapore’s year-round tropical temperatures mean there’s always a good excuse to enjoy an ice-cream—and there’s nowhere better to get your fill than Birds Of Paradise Gelato Boutique.
This charming Michelin-recommended store makes all its own ice-creams, with innovative flavours inspired by nature’s finest botanical ingredients, such as flowers, fruits, herbs and spices. The resulting ever-rotating line-up of gelato varieties include several that nod to the store’s South East Asian roots; impeccably-balanced white chrysanthemum and cacao nibs, spiced pear, and Earl Grey and lemongrass are amongst the bestsellers. Grab a scoop or two in a thyme-infused waffle cone… or give in to temptation and snag a whole pint.
Location: 63 East Coast Road, #01-05, Singapore
Kueh Salat
Chalk Farm
Kuehs (bite-sized snacks) are a traditional Nyonya delicacy that comes in a rainbow of different colours, shapes and flavours, meaning you’ll be spoilt for choice with options to try in Singapore. Nevertheless, kueh salat is a perennial favourite—an all-indulgent dessert of pressed sticky rice layered with pandan-flavoured custard.
Homegrown bakery Chalk Farm uses only natural ingredients in their sensational kueh salat cake, including freshly squeezed coconut milk to make its thick, rich custard, alongside butterfly pea extract and liberal amounts of pandan juice to give the dessert its vibrant blue and green layers.
Location: Paragon Shopping Centre, 290 Orchard Road, Paragon, #B1-K5/6, Singapore
Dessert Degustation
2am:dessertbar
One dessert not enough for you? How about a whole meal of them instead? The swanky dessert hotspot, founded by award-winning Singaporean pastry chef Janice Wong, is an ideal choice for diners who pack a serious sweet tooth.
Showcasing a winning combination of complex techniques, contrasting textures and vibrant flavours, Wong’s desserts are a feast for both the eyes and the palate—dishes this beautiful are basically the reason Instagram exists, right? Wong takes pride in highlighting Asian ingredients too, with creative offerings like Pandan Chocolate and Kinkan Osmanthus Tea. The dessert degustation, which is seasonal (be sure to check their website before booking), comes in three or five-course iterations, with a thoughtful drink pairing available too. But while this is a major drawcard for dessert fans from around the globe, the dessert bar has so much more to offer. From dreamy high teas and creamy hot chocolates to homemade churros and tiramisu, 2am:dessertbar is a must-visit for foodies and dessert fans alike.
Location: 21A Lorong Liput, Holland Village, Singapore
Ice Kachang
Jin Jin Hot/Cold Dessert
A sweet treat that’s certain to bring out your inner child, ice kachang features a mountain of finely shaved ice piled high, with red beans, colourful jellies and neon-hued sweet syrups. Almost every Singaporean hawker stall has their own twist on this nostalgic dessert, with other popular toppings including sweetcorn, chopped peanuts, evaporated or condensed milk, ice cream, fresh fruit and even chendol jelly (green rice flour jelly).
Head to much-loved dessert joint Jin Jin Hot/Cold Dessert for both traditional and more adventurous takes on the dessert, like their durian ice kachang, featuring a scoop of Mao Shan Wang durian ice cream as its crowning jewel.
Location: ABC Brickworks Food Centre, 6 Jalan Bukit Merah #01-21, Singapore
Cupcakes
Fluff Bakery
Who doesn’t love a cupcake? A picture-perfect pick-me-up on even the gloomiest of days, Fluff Bakery changes its cupcake menu weekly and has created over one hundred flavours to date, meaning there’s always a new flavour to drool over at their cosy store.
Each of their delectably light and fluffy cupcakes is lovingly cored and filled before being frosted, adding an extra flavour explosion to these little bites of heaven. Staples include their ever-popular salted caramel and Nutella red velvet varieties, but the real fun lies in quirky Asian-inspired flavours like ondeh ondeh (pandan cake filled with gula melaka and frosted with coconut cream), pineapple tart and durian pengat. Don’t forget to check Fluff Bakery’s Instagram for updates on what new flavours are available each week.
Location: 4 Jalan Pisang, Singapore
Cheng Tng
Ye Lai Xiang Hot And Cold Cheng Tng
Cool down in truly scrumptious style with cheng tng, a light, fragrant and refreshing soup loaded with healthy ingredients traditionally used in Chinese medicine, such as gingko nuts, dried longan, lotus seeds, sweet potato and white fungus.
Ye Lai Xiang has been making their rendition of the sweet clear soup (which can be served either hot or cold) since 1939, so it’s no surprise that this hawker stall has earned a reputation for producing the best cheng tng in Singapore. With a top-secret recipe passed down three generations, their cheng tng is filled with carefully hand-prepared ingredients like dried persimmons, candied winter melon and double-boiled sago, making it the ultimate thirst-quencher on a sweltering day.
Location: Bedok Food Centre, Stall #31, 1 Bedok Road, Singapore
Don’t just take our word for it, head to Singapore and let your sweet tooth be your compass. Head to Singapore Tourism for more delicious info on all of the best desserts to devour.
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