Famous Chinese dessert eateries with comforting treats
Fluffy bricks of thick toasts topped with swirls of creamy soft serve may be the in thing now, but there will be times when you’ll just want to go back to basics and tuck into a comforting bowl of sweet soup. From a thick, gooey serving of pulut hitam, to chewy glutinous balls that burst in your mouth, these famous Chinese dessert eateries have them all.
1. Ah Chew Desserts
Image credit: @cindymleong
Ah Chew Dessert’s concept is as traditional as it gets. Desserts are served in old-school porcelain bowls, the store’s name is emblazoned in gold print on a large, wooden board, and two huge Chinese lanterns hang from the ceiling at both sides of their entrance. Give their popular Fresh Milk Steamed with Egg White ($3.50) a go if you’re looking for something light. Durian lovers can try their Durian Sago ($6), where smooth and creamy sago is topped with a generous scoop of durian pulp.
Address: 1 Liang Seah Street, #01-10/11, Liang Seah Place, Singapore 189032
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12:30pm to 12am, Sat-Sun 12.30pm to 1am
Tel: 6339 8198
Website | Info on Novena outlet
2. Ji De Chi Dessert
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Directly translated to “remember to eat”, Ji De Chi is located a few shops away from Ah Chew Desserts at Liang Seah Street. Here, the menu is extensive, with a whole section dedicated to durian and mango desserts! Popular choices include Mango Pomelo Sago with Mini Rice Ball ($6.50), Chendol Snowy Ice ($6.90), and Mango Sticky Rice Roll ($6.90), where sweet mango chunks are wrapped in a chewy skin made with glutinous rice flour before being covered with finely shredded coconut.
Address: 8 Liang Seah Street, #01-03, Singapore 189029
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: 6339 9928
Website
Full list of outlets
3. Gong He Guan
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Known for their Chinese herbal jelly AKA Gui Ling Gao ($6), Gong He Guan is just a short walk away from Chinatown MRT Station. Here, you’ll find a variety of desserts such as Peanut Paste ($3), Mango Pudding ($3.50), and Rock Melon with Sago ($3.50). The desserts are served in porcelain bowls with old-school designs, making them extra ‘gram-worthy.
Address: 28 Upper Cross Street, Singapore 058337
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 10:30pm
Tel: 6223 0562
Website
4. dessertstory
On dessertstory’s menu, you’ll find desserts such as Black Sesame Paste ($3.60), and Snow Ice ($3.80) in a variety of flavours, including green tea and black sesame. Be sure to try their Peanut Candy Ice Cream Roll ($3) there, as this Taiwanese snack isn’t something you can easily find elsewhere! They’ve also got a couple of savoury snacks on their menu such as You Tiao with Chicken Floss and Salted Egg Yolk Sauce ($3.50).
Find out where to get more Taiwanese street food in Singapore!
Address: 90 Hougang Avenue 10, #02-18, Hougang Mall, Singapore 538766
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 10pm
Tel: 6387 6620
Website
Full list of outlets
5. Dessert Bowl
Image credit: @nsyazlina
Dessert Bowl’s Durian Mousse ($5) is one of Serangoon Gardens’ best kept secret. Thick and creamy without being cloying, this durian dessert is one that durian lovers should make a trip for. Make it complete by adding $1 for an extra scoop of fresh durian pulp!
Find out where else to get durian desserts in Singapore!
Address: 80 Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555976
Opening hours: Tue-Thur 1pm to 10:30pm, Fri-Sun 1pm to 12am
Tel: 6285 1278
Website
6. Mei Heong Yuen
Image credit: @noregretsoong
Located a stone’s throw away from Chinatown MRT Station, Mei Heong Yuen occupies three shop spaces along Temple Street. On hot days especially, you’ll see diners digging into towering plates of smooth, shaved ice that come in a variety of flavours and colours. With over 20 flavours to choose from, including Mango & Strawberry ($6), you’ll be spoilt for choice here. Other popular picks include sweet pastes such as Walnut Paste ($3), Peanut Paste ($3), and Sesame Paste ($3), which are smooth and not overly sweet.
Address: 63-67 Temple Street, Singapore 058611
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 9:30pm
Tel: 6221 1156
Website
7. Dessert First
Image credit: @ivan_duncan
Dessert First is yet another one on Liang Seah Street. The snow ice desserts here will catch your eye, but don’t let them distract you from their more traditional dishes such as Steamed Milk Egg White with Almond Cream ($4.80), Double-Boiled White Fungus with Papaya ($4.80), and a popular Teochew favorite – Yam Paste with Pumpkin & Gingko ($4.50).
Address: 8 Liang Seah Street, #01-04, Singapore 189029
Opening hours: Sun-Thur 1pm to 1am, Fri 1pm to 2am, Sat 1pm to 2am
Tel: 6333 0428
Website
Chinese desserts worth the splurge
Whether you’re looking for something to cool down in the heat, or hankering for something sweet, you can count on these dessert places to satisfy your cravings. If you think we missed out any spots, let us know in the comments below!
Featured image adapted from Instagram user @nsyazlina‘s post.
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