Orh nee, or Teochew yam paste, has gone from being a traditional dessert to every baker’s trendy new plaything. Thanks to the likes of innovative bakeries such as June Bakery, Patisserie Cle, and LUNA, orh nee has been remixed into different types of sweet treats that Singaporeans are rushing to try.
Tarts, doughnuts, even tiramisu are now getting the taro treatment, so if you’re always saying yes to yam, we’ve got a list of the most unique orh nee desserts in Singapore for you to try, from both physical bakeries, as well as home-based businesses.
Image credit: @fatpigdiary
Keong Saik Bakery’s locally-inspired treats have been gaining ground to no end, especially with their Mao Shan Wang cruffins and burnt cheesecakes. Joining the party are their new orh nee goodies, including the striking Orh Nee Croissant Cube ($6.30), which combines buttery pastry with yam cream, chunks, and shallots, and the Taromisu ($8.80). The latter features layers of ladyfinger sponge with Kahlúa coffee, yam paste & yam mascarpone cream—perfect for all orh nee lovers.
Check out our review of Keong Saik Bakery.
Address: 41 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089146
Opening hours (takeaway): Mon 8am to 7:30pm, Tue-Sun 8am to 8:30pm
Tel: 6909 3199
Website
One of the most hyped-up bakeries to open this year is LUNA along Amoy Street, and they make a lush Orh Nee Cake, where lilac-coloured yam and gingko paste is spliced by fluffy vanilla sponge and a light Chantilly cream. A slice is sold at $8, while a whole cake is $80.
Check out our full review of LUNA.
Address: 53 Amoy Street, Singapore 069879
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm to 6:30pm, Sat-Sun 12pm to 4pm
Website
Heritage bakers June Bakery have gone viral for their Orh Nee Tarts ($1.50), and while it remains a challenge to get your hands on them, it is worth it. The yam paste is smooth, silken, and rich with yam’s earthen sweetness, while the gingko nuts offer bitter bursts. The pastry is very flaky, so eating it can get messy.
Check out our full review of June Bakery.
Address: 7500A Beach Road, #B1-321, The Plaza, Singapore 199591
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 2:30pm
Tel: 9731 3002
Image credit: @noobyfoodie
This patisserie at Paya Lebar is run by two French-trained pastry chefs, and the proof of their expertise lies in their refined tarts. The Orh Blanc Tart ($8) is one of their bestsellers. A buttery tart shell is piped full of coconut cream, then dressed with an orh nee paste, as well as vanilla Chantilly. Though we often think of orh nee as a heavy dessert, this tart is surprisingly light.
Read our full review of Patisserie Cle.
Address: 29 Paya Lebar Road, #01-01, Paya Lebar Office Centre, Singapore 409005
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12:30pm to 6pm, Sat 12:30pm to 5pm
Tel: 8127 3925
Website
Taro fans have to check out Whisking Bakes, a new cafe in Lavender specialising in orh nee-infused bakes. Try their Taro Mochi Swiss Roll ($5): soft sponge with house-made yam paste, cream, and a chewy milk mochi centre. There’s also the popular Taro-misu ($6), which plays on the classic Italian dessert. This treat is stacked with yam flavour; you get ladyfingers dipped in house-made taro milk, mascarpone cream, and the same yam paste that’s freshly made on-site.
Address: 466 Crawford Lane, #01-08, Singapore 190465
Opening hours: Tue-Thurs 12pm to 10pm, Fri 12pm to 12am, Sat 10am to 12am, Sun 10am to 4pm
Tel: 8850 5918
Website
Read our Whisking Bakes review!
Image credit: @melmeleats
Ondeh-ondeh was a major food craze in 2019— last year’s equivalent of orh nee, basically. Whiskit Cafe combines the best of both with their affordable Orh Nee Ondeh Tart ($20 for four), where actual gula melaka-infused ondeh-ondeh kueh tops their signature sable tart shell piped with house-made yam cream. Orh nee purists can also indulge in the Orh Nee Gingko Tart ($28 for four), which spotlights fresh orh nee paste, topped with gingko nuts and coconut milk.
Address: 533 Upper Cross Street, #01-33, Hong Lim Complex, Singapore 050533
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 5pm
Website
Image credit: Orhhsome
Orhhsome is an online business that sells only orh nee-infused treats. Dive straight into their Orhhsome Bao ($10 for six): fluffy yam-flavoured bun filled with pleasantly sweet house-made orh nee. Another unique snack is the Orhhsome Pokpok ($6 for six), which combines taupok with a savoury yam stuffing. Throw it in the airfryer for a hot and crispy midday snack!
There is a minimum order of $30. Order online and self-collect at their Mandai and Hougang location, or go for the delivery option at a flat rate of $8. Alternatively, order at least $100 worth of products to enjoy free delivery. For more information, visit their website.
Image credit: @breadforcarine
While min jiang kueh is not technically a dessert, it’s one of the easiest sweet treats to find at hawker centres when you want a pick-me-up. 682 Hougang Min Jiang Kueh’s version is especially popular on social media because their take on min jiang kueh stars fillings so generous, they borderline overflow with every bite. Their Taro Min Jiang Kueh ($1.50) is one of their most popular flavours, though fair warning, it could be jelak if you’re not a diehard orh nee fan.
Address: 682 Hougang Avenue 4, #01-300, Singapore 530682
Get your dose of orh nee in egg tart form at Mother-In-Law Egg Tart, a home-based business turned physical store in Clarke Quay. The homegrown brand is so popular, they’ve launched a second outlet in Jurong Point!
Their Yam & Purple Potato ($3.40) stars house-made egg custard swirled with nutty and creamy yam and sweet potato chunks, topped with gingko nuts. Everything is held together by flaky and buttery layers of their signature Portuguese tart shell, adding a touch of savouriness to offset the sweetness.
Read our Mother-In-Law Egg Tart review!
Address: 2 Havelock Road, #B1-24, Havelock 2, Singapore 059763
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:30am to 5:30pm
Tel: 8383 8460
Website
Image credit: @morimoriyogashi
Morimori Yogashi is an under-the-radar bakery in Everton Park that offers a wide range of desserts, including Strawberry and Yam Taro Mochi ($25). This gift-worthy treat comes with three soft and chewy mochi stuffed with an azuki red bean filling and fresh strawberries, and another three consisting of a yam filling. They also have a Taro Milk Roll ($15), which sees soft taro sponge cake rolled with house-made taro filling and fresh taro chunks.
Check out Morimori Yogashi’s offerings here!
Address: Blk 1 Everton Park #01-31, Singapore 081001
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 7pm, Sat 10am to 5pm
Website
Image credit: @wildvegann
Home business Lilac Oak makes vegan-friendly bakes and sweet treats that include two takes on orh nee tarts. The first is the classic Taro Tart, where a handcrafted tart shell comes filled with an oil-free yam paste, and a Pulut Hitam Tart, which features a sticky glutinous rice base spotted with taro cream. A box of six mini tarts is priced at $24.
Image credit: @chereobese
To satisfy your orh nee cravings, head to Nestcha for their pretty layered drinks and cakes. Try their Taro Machi Milk ($5.90), which features soft mochi and taro balls at the bottom, followed by yam, and creamy milk. They’re also famous for their Yam Chicken Floss Mochi Cake ($9.90): smooth orh nee layered with a cake layer, chicken floss, and chewy mochi.
Read all about Nestcha at Haji Lane!
Address: 68 Haji Lane, Singapore 189261
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 12pm to 9pm, Fri-Sun 12pm to 10pm
Website
Image credit: @whitesbakery
Burnt cheesecake and yam paste lovers can turn to Whites Bakery for the best of both worlds. Their Taro Basque Cheesecake ($45), is a creamy purple creation made with 100% homemade taro paste, and comes topped with an orh nee glaze, and desiccated coconut. For a lighter bite, try their mixed box of Korean-style Fat Macarons (6 for $30), which includes a taro flavour.
Image credit: @shiokmummum
Home business Shiok Mum Mum brings something interesting to the table with their homemade jellies, available in Orh Nee and Pulut Hitam versions (a box of six for $13). The Orh Nee is made with fresh taro and has a yam-filled centre. The jelly is not too sweet, so it’s perfect even if you are not a big dessert person. Do note that there’s a minimum order of two boxes.
For an affordable orh nee snack to grab on-the-go, get Mei Kee Bakery’s Ginkgo Taro Tarts ($1.50), a lavender-hued tart with yam filling, held within a thin, golden shell. This freshly baked treat comes with thick and creamy orh nee-like paste, which contrasts nicely against the flaky and buttery crust. The homegrown bakery chain also offers a unique selection of tau sar piah flavours, including coffee and shrimp.
Read our Mei Kee Bakery review!
Address: 1 North Point Drive, Yishun Bus Interchange, Singapore 768019
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 8pm
You may know Rachelrax Cakes for their stunning galaxy cakes, but they also have a delicious Orh Nee Tart ($8.90) that’s filled with silky yam paste and coconut cream, then topped with gingko nuts. If you’re a diehard taro fan, order the 10” Tart ‘Cake’ in Orh Nee ($62) for your next gathering! This massive, pre-cut tart comes with 12 generous slices for sharing.
Check our Rachelrax Cakes review!
Address: 12 Lim Tua Tow Road, Singapore 547735
Opening hours (takeaway): Thurs-Fri 12pm to 7pm, Sat-Sun 12pm to 6pm
Tel: 6988 0536
Website
With the orh nee craze in full swing, it is easier than ever to stray from the OG Teochew-style orh nee and try some newfangled interpretations. For more orh nee bakes, head to Garden Pastry & Cake in Aljunied for their sweet potato and yam swiss rolls. Alternatively, read our tau suan guide for old-school desserts across the island.
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