20 Best Singapore Desserts You Need Now
- Monster Day Tours
- Jun 5
- 6 min read
Singapore's vibrant food scene isn't complete without its delectable array of desserts that showcase the city's multicultural heritage. From traditional Nyonya kueh to refreshing icy treats perfect for beating the tropical heat, Singapore's dessert landscape is as diverse as its population. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a local looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, exploring these desserts on a small group tour can add a delicious dimension to your Singapore experience. Let's dive into 20 must-try desserts that represent the sweet side of Singaporean cuisine.
1. Orh Nee (Yam Paste)
This classic Teochew dessert features a smooth, thick yam paste gently sweetened and often served warm. What makes orh nee special is its velvety texture and subtle sweetness that doesn't overwhelm the natural flavor of the yam. Traditional versions are topped with ginkgo nuts, while modern interpretations might include pumpkin puree or sliced fruits. Once considered old-school, orh nee has experienced a renaissance, finding its way into trendy bakeries as fillings for cakes, tarts, and even donuts.
Where to find it: Yat Ka Yan has multiple locations including Fortune Centre and Tan Quee Lan Street where you can enjoy this comforting dessert.
2. Tau Suan
Tau suan offers a perfect balance of textures in a warm, comforting bowl. This dessert consists of split mung beans boiled with pandan leaves and thickened with potato flour, creating a sweet porridge-like consistency. The highlight is the addition of crispy fried dough fritters (you tiao) that add a delightful crunch to each spoonful.
Where to find it: Head to Qing Tian Hot Dessert at Redhill Food Centre for an authentic version of this beloved dessert.
3. Tang Yuan
These glutinous rice flour balls are typically filled with sweet sesame, peanut, or red bean paste and served in a light, sweet soup. Tang yuan symbolizes family reunion in Chinese culture, making them especially popular during festivals and celebrations. The contrast between the chewy exterior and flowing, warm filling creates a delightful eating experience.
Where to find it: 75 Ah Balling Peanut Soup offers various flavors including traditional options as well as innovative varieties like yam, matcha, and more.
4. Ice Kachang
When Singapore's tropical heat becomes overwhelming, locals turn to ice kachang for relief. This colorful mountain of shaved ice drizzled with sweet syrups hides treasures beneath – red beans, sweet corn, grass jelly, and atap chee (palm seeds). Discovering authentic local desserts like ice kachang provides insight into how Singaporeans have historically beat the heat.
Where to find it: Jin Jin Hot/Cold Dessert at ABC Brickworks Market and Food Centre serves one of the most popular versions in Singapore.
5. Chendol (Cendol)
This refreshing Southeast Asian dessert features green rice flour jelly strips, coconut milk, gula melaka (palm sugar syrup), and red beans served over shaved ice. The Singapore version offers a harmonious blend of creamy, sweet, and chewy textures that cool you down instantly. Some vendors offer additional toppings like corn or durian.
Where to find it: Four Seasons Cendol at Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Market & Hawker Centre is known for its authentic rendition.
6. Grass Jelly
A quintessential cooling dessert, grass jelly (chin chow) is made from the mesona chinensis plant. The dark brown, gelatinous dessert is typically served cold with honey or syrup and sometimes paired with fresh fruits or evaporated milk. Its slight herbal bitterness balances perfectly with the sweetness of the syrup.
Where to find it: Zhao An Granny Grass Jelly at Golden Mile Food Centre serves refreshing bowls that locals swear by.
7. Cheng Tng
This light, amber-colored soup served with ice is a perfect remedy for Singapore's heat. Cheng tng contains a medley of ingredients including barley, agar strips, lotus seeds, and dried longan in a sweet syrup. The combination creates a refreshing and slightly medicinal dessert that's both cooling and nourishing.
8. Ondeh Ondeh
These adorable green balls pack a delightful surprise – bite into one and molten gula melaka (palm sugar) flows out! Made from sweet potato or glutinous rice flour infused with pandan and coated with fresh grated coconut, ondeh ondeh exemplifies the perfect one-bite dessert.
Where to find it: Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery in Bedok North is known for their consistently excellent ondeh ondeh.
9. Ang Ku Kueh
Named for its tortoise-shaped appearance ("red tortoise cake"), ang ku kueh is a soft glutinous rice cake with a sweet filling, typically mung bean or peanut paste. The vibrant red exterior is traditionally associated with good fortune in Chinese culture, but modern versions come in various colors and flavors including corn, coconut, and yam.
Where to find it: Ji Xiang Confectionery has multiple locations where you can sample these traditional treats.
10. Bubur Cha Cha
This colorful Nyonya dessert combines steamed chunks of sweet potatoes and yam with tapioca jelly and sago pearls swimming in a creamy coconut milk broth. The symphony of textures and the fragrant coconut base make this a beloved dessert that can be enjoyed either hot or cold.
Where to find it: TingKat PeraMakan offers authentic versions at their various locations.
11. Pandan Chiffon Cake
Recognized by CNN as Singapore's "National Cake," pandan chiffon cake is a light, fluffy creation with a distinctive green hue and fragrant aroma from pandan leaves. The addition of coconut milk gives it a rich, creamy undertone that pairs perfectly with coffee or tea. Walking food tours often include stops at traditional bakeries where you can sample this iconic cake.
Where to find it: Bengawan Solo is the go-to place for consistently excellent pandan cake, with multiple outlets across Singapore.
12. Tutu Kueh
These small, steamed rice flour cakes are served on pandan leaves and make for perfect bite-sized treats. Traditionally filled with ground peanut or brown palm sugar mixed with shredded coconut, tutu kueh gets its name from the distinctive "tutu" sound made by the specialized steamer used to prepare them.
Where to find it: Mr. Ho Tutu Kueh at Bendemeer Shopping Mall maintains the traditional preparation methods.
13. Tissue Prata
While prata is typically a savory flatbread, the tissue version transforms it into a dessert. This paper-thin, crispy prata is usually served in a towering conical shape, drizzled with chocolate sauce or condensed milk, and sometimes accompanied by ice cream. It's a popular late-night sweet treat across Singapore.
Where to find it: R.K. Eating House in Serangoon is famous for their version of this dessert.
14. Gulab Jamun
These deep-fried milk-solid balls soaked in rose-infused sugar syrup offer an intensely sweet experience. The soft, spongy texture absorbs the syrup, creating a melt-in-your-mouth sensation that's hard to resist. Just a couple of these will satisfy even the strongest sweet cravings.
Where to find it: Most Indian restaurants and sweet shops across Singapore serve this popular dessert.
15. Jalebi
With its distinctive pretzel-like shape and bright orange color, jalebi is instantly recognizable. The dessert is made by deep-frying fermented batter in circular motions, then soaking the crispy results in saffron-infused sugar syrup. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and syrupy interior creates a uniquely satisfying dessert experience.
Where to find it: Moghul Sweet Shop at Serangoon Road serves excellent traditional jalebi.
16. Ice Cream Sandwiches
A beloved street dessert, these ice cream sandwiches consist of a slice of ice cream wrapped in bread or wafers. What makes them special is the variety of flavors ranging from local favorites like durian, sweet corn, and red bean to classic options like chocolate and vanilla. Exploring street food with local guides often leads to discovering these iconic treats.
Where to find it: Look for the famous Ice Cream Uncle's carts along Orchard Road, particularly near Takashimaya and Paragon shopping centers.
17. Durian Pengat
For the adventurous dessert lover, durian pengat offers a rich, creamy experience. This dessert features durian fruit cooked with coconut milk and sugar, creating a thick, custard-like consistency. It's a wonderful introduction to the "king of fruits" for those who might be intimidated by eating fresh durian.
18. Orh Nee Creations
The traditional yam paste dessert has inspired numerous creative adaptations across Singapore. From orh nee tarts to orh nee cream puffs and even orh nee Swiss rolls, innovative bakers have transformed this classic into contemporary treats while maintaining its distinctive flavor profile.
Where to find it: Garden Pastry & Cake and C'rius Bake offer modern orh nee-inspired confections at affordable prices.
19. Pandan-Infused Desserts
Beyond the classic chiffon cake, pandan's unique fragrance enhances numerous other desserts, from pandan waffles to pandan-flavored ice cream. This versatile flavor, often called "Asia's vanilla," adds a distinctive touch to both traditional and contemporary sweet treats.
20. Kaya Toast Set
While technically a breakfast item, this sweet combination deserves mention. Kaya (coconut jam) toast paired with soft-boiled eggs and local coffee or tea forms Singapore's quintessential morning ritual that many enjoy as an afternoon treat as well.
Ready to Taste Singapore Desserts?
Singapore's dessert landscape offers a delicious journey through the nation's cultural heritage and culinary innovation. From traditional favorites that have stood the test of time to modern interpretations that push creative boundaries, these sweet treats represent the heart and soul of Singapore's food culture. When visiting Singapore, joining a small group food tour can help you navigate these delicious options with insider knowledge from local guides who know exactly where to find the most authentic versions.
Whether you're cooling down with a bowl of ice kachang or savoring the delicate flavors of pandan cake, Singapore's desserts provide both refreshment and insight into the nation's multicultural identity. So bring your sweet tooth and an adventurous spirit – Singapore's dessert scene awaits!
