We Tried This New Dessert Cafe In Tanjong Pagar—Pistachio Paste, MSW Durian Mousse And More

Sweet Dots is a new dessert cafe in Tanjong Pagar

Along the busy streets of Tanjong Pagar is Sweet Dots on the third floor of 100 AM. This new dessert cafe specialises in traditional Chinese desserts made using family recipes that go back four generations. All prices are nett, which isn’t a common sight in the CBD, so we had to swing by to see if they were worth a visit.

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Food at Sweet Dots

We were one of the lucky ones to try the Signature Pistachio Paste ($6.90), which is sold in limited portions daily. Served hot, a bowl of vibrant green promptly arrived at our table about five minutes after we placed our order. This fragrant dessert, which nods to the recent pistachio craze, came topped with a generous sprinkle of coarsely crushed nuts.

Paste in dessert form can sometimes turn out watery, but this one had just the right consistency, viscous enough to coat my spoon without spilling it and making a mess. Each mouthful was smooth with a gritty yet pleasant crunch, thanks to the chunky pistachios layered atop and within the paste.

While the texture was impressive, the flavour fell a tad short of our expectations. It carried an enjoyable earthy taste that mellowed down the sweetness of the dessert, but we were hoping for a more pronounced nutty flavour that screamed pistachio.

Another hot dessert we tried was the Rainbow Tang Yuan In Ginger Soup ($4.20). You get peanut and black sesame rice dumplings submerged in a warm, fragrant ginger soup.

The black sesame tang yuan was velvety with bittersweet notes that lingered. Paired with its soft and chewy rice dumpling, this was a comforting treat that hit the spot as a tang yuan fan.

But if I had to choose between the two fillings, I would recommend the peanut. Its filling was bolder and sweeter, perfect for someone with a sweet tooth. The richness worked especially well with the warm ginger soup, which added a gentle, soothing heat that cut through any sweetness or coarse textures.

Normally, I avoid anything durian-related as I’m not the biggest fan of the pungent fruit, but we had to order the Mao Shan Wang (MSW) Durian Mousse ($7.90) since it’s a signature here.

Served cold, the mousse had a soft and creamy texture that was easy to enjoy, even for a durian newbie like me. My colleagues, who are durian fans, also had a go, and I found myself agreeing with their thoughts. While the mousse boasted a fresh and naturally bittersweet flavour, there wasn’t much more to say. It tasted similar to the actual fruit, so you may want to go for the real thing, especially if you like that chewy and fibrous bite that was missing in this dessert. Still, it’ll please avid durian fans.

Being tau huay fans, we tried the Mango Pomelo Sago Beancurd ($5.50) as well. The colourful dessert comprises mini taro balls, fresh mango cubes, chewy tapioca pearls, and shredded pomelo atop a combination of sweet mango base and custardy beancurd. 

The generous chunks of mango tasted naturally sweet, pairing well with the smaller slivers of pomelo that added a refreshing zesty contrast. We enjoyed the textural variety in this dessert bowl, as the mini taro balls and tapioca pearls added a chewy bite as well. 

That said, the beancurd, which was the highlight of our dessert, was lacking. Visually, we could spot a pale, off-white base, but the soya bean taste wasn’t prominent and was overshadowed by the rest of the ingredients. If you’re expecting a rich, creamy beancurd experience, you may be slightly disappointed, like we were.

Ambience at Sweet Dots

Despite its compact space, Sweet Dots offers a relaxed atmosphere with its wooden accents and cosy lighting. The cafe seats around 25 diners, mostly in pairs or in groups of four. While the overall ambience is simple and inviting, we wish the seats were a bit more comfortable, especially for an extended catch-up over desserts.

Sweet Dots is located at 100 AM, which is a quick five-minute walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT Station. Do visit earlier if you plan to try some of their signature items, as they serve up limited batches daily.

Sweet Dots – Eatbook review

The desserts we tried at Sweet Dots didn’t blow our minds, but the new dessert cafe is still a decent spot to check out if you’re in the area and craving traditional Chinese desserts. This cafe is especially good for stressed CBD workers who are in need of a midday recharge.

If you’re in the vicinity, read our guide to the best Korean restaurants in Tanjong Pagar. Alternatively, check out Tea Story, a newly opened Chinese teahouse and dessert cafe in Macpherson.

Address: 100 Tras Street, #03-16, 100 AM, Singapore 079027
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 9pm
Website
Sweet Dots is not a halal–certified eatery.

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Photos taken by Nabila Malek.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.sg.