
There is no denying that Singapore is known for its hot and humid weather. Instead of cooling off with the usual ice cream or dessert spots, perhaps take a trip down memory lane at these traditional dessert stalls in Singapore! It is also a great way to introduce the kids to some of the delicious sweet treats that us parents used to enjoy as kids. From soya bean desserts to cheng tng and tang yuan, these traditional desserts are bound to be delectable substitutes for ice creams and waffles on a warm day!
Want more? Check out these other Little Steps dessert guides in Singapore:
Best Dessert Places For The Whole Family In Singapore
Tucked away in the heartlands, Dessert Bowl is a popular spot for both teens and families. Their extensive range of traditional desserts including Durian Mousse, Mango Pomelo, Green Bean Soup, and Glutinous Rice Balls. There are also kid-friendly options such as tarts and fruit crepes. Be sure to arrive early as this place can get quite crowded particularly after dinner!
Dessert Bowl, 80A Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555976, www.facebook.com/DessertBowl2008
Feeling those late night hunger pangs once the kids are asleep? Satisfy those cravings at Ah Lim Traditional Desserts, which opens till 2am! Tuck on traditional favorites such as Cendol, Cheng Tng, and Ice Kacang. Don't miss their unique Teochew Cendol, which is a local twist on the traditional Cendol!
Ah Lim Traditional Desserts, 1018 Upper Serangoon Rd, Singapore 534756, www.m.facebook.com/AhLimDesserts
Indulge in traditional Cantonese desserts at this simple shop tucked away in Chinatown! Interestingly to make cooking methods traditional, the store uses a 42-year-old machine to make their desserts! Some of their best-selling items include Bobo Chacha, Sesame Paste and Sweet Potato Ginger Soup.
115 Tang Shui, Blk 335 Smith Street, #02-206, Chinatown Complex Food Centre, Singapore 050335, www.m.facebook.com/115TangShui
Missing Hong Kong's traditional desserts? Jin Yu Man Tang Dessert Shop is just the place to curb those cravings. With over 100 items of their menu, there is bound to be something for the entire family! Popular items include the Signature Ginger Milk Pudding, Taro Sago, Sesame Paste with Sesame Rice Ball and Mango Sago Pomelo. There are also savory snacks such as Soya Sauce Chee Cheong Fun and Hong Kong Style Curry Fish Ball if you are feeling exceptionally peckish.
Jin Yu Man Tang Dessert Shop, 66 East Coast Road, #01-03, The Flow, Singapore 428778, www.facebook.com/jinyumantangdessertshop
Traditional desserts at Yat Ka Yan are said to rival those originals in Malacca and other parts of Malaysia! All their desserts are said to be made in house, ensuring that it retains the authentic taste. Do not miss out on their unique local twist in the traditional Cendol, such as Yammy Cendol and Durian Cendol as well as other popular favorites such as Yam Paste, Almond Cream and Black Glutinous Rice.
Yat Ka Yan, 190 Middle Road, #02-08, Fortune Centre, Singapore 188979, www.facebook.com/yatkayandessert
Helmed by a young hawkerprenuer, this stall serves up traditional hot and cold Chinese desserts that are made using traditional methods of cooking. Think the likes of clay pots and charcoals stoves to get the best flavor out for each dessert! Some of their popular desserts include Red Bean Soup, Sweet Barley & Gingko Nut Soup and Bobo Chacha.
Thong Sum Hot & Cold Desserts, 505 Beach Road #01-83 Golden Mile Food Centre, Singapore 199583, www.facebook.com/tsdesserts0183
Located right in the bustling shopping districts of Singapore, Chow Zan Dessert serves up traditional and contemporary desserts! This place is a must-go after an extended period of shopping and walking. Apart from classic traditional dessert choices such as Cheng Tng, Cendol, and Mango Pomelo Sago, they also serve up international delights such as Mango Stick Rice as well as ice cream and brownies for the little tummies!
Chow Zan Dessert, 801 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198769, www.chowzan.sg
With multiple locations island-wide, Mei Heong Yen is the place to head to if you are craving some traditional nutty desserts or puddings. Their Walnut Paste, Peanut Paste and Sesame Paste are highly-raved about! While you are here, don't forget to order their superb shaved iced selections, such as Mango Strawberry, Watermelon Lychee and Banana Chocolate - all of which are bound to offer a cool respite in the humid weather!
Mei Heong Yen, Temple Street, #63-67, Singapore 058611, www.facebook.com/meiheongyuendesserts
While this old-school dessert stall may have only 9 items on its menu, it retains the authentic flavor of each traditional dessert! Don't miss out on their Mixed Green and Red Bean Soup, which includes over 40 different ingredients in each bowl. For traditional options, there is still the classic Red Bean Soup, Green Bean Soup, and Bobo Cha Cha.
Tian Yi Desserts, 861 North Bridge Road, #01-112, North Bridge Road Food Centre, Singapore 198783, www.facebook.com/TianYiDesserts
If you are on the hunt for the best Cheng Tng in Singapore, Ye Lai Xiang is the stall to head to. This stall has been around for close to eight decades now, serving just Cheng Tng! What makes it so unique is that it has 11 different ingredients within it! While you are here, the only decision that you have to make is whether you prefer your Cheng Tng cold or warm.
Ye Lai Xiang, 1 Bedok Road, Stall 31, Bedok Food Centre, Singapore 469572, www.facebook.com/people/Ye-Lai-Xiang-Hot-and-Cold-Cheng-Tng-Bedok-corner
Nestled in a basement of Siglap Centre is this no-frills traditional dessert stall that is run by Uncle Wilson and Auntie Elsie. They are well-known among the Easties for their Cendol, which features freshly-squeezed coconut milk. While you are here, don't forget to try their Beancurd with Gingko Nuts, Almond Cream and Sesame Paste!
Ren Ren Desserts, 55 Siglap Road, #B1-13, Siglap Centre, Singapore 455871, www.facebook.com/Tang51
Looking for traditional desserts after work before picking up the kids? Perhaps head over to Darkness Dessert to satisfy those cravings. Tuck into their refreshing shaved ice selection such as Mango Shaved Ice, which features a towering stack of mango puree and mango popping pearls. Don't miss out trying their Cheng Tng and Peanut Soup with Gingko Nuts and Lotus Seeds as well!
Darkness Dessert, 100 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088521, www.facebook.com/darknessdessert
Four Seasons Chendol has been consistently rated as one of the best cendol stalls in Singapore! Their cendol is served with a generous amount of coconut milk and gula melaka along with various toppings such as pandan jelly and red bean.
Four Seasons Chendol, 210 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, #01-07/01-56, Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Market & Hawker Centre, Singapore 310210, www.facebook.com/fourseasonscendol
This nostalgic hawker stall sells a variety of old-school tong shui, including the rare Teochew Lotus Seed Dessert! Other must-tries are their Pulut Hitam, Tau Suan and Ice Kacang.
Soon Heng Hot & Cold Dessert, Blk 38A Margaret Drive, #02-24, Margaret Hawker Centre, Singapore 142038
For a simple yet good and delicious Cendol, head over to Cendol Geylang Serai. This Muslim-owned stall prepares it cendol in the traditional Indonesian way with only three toppings, the pandan rice flour jelly, coconut milk, and gula melaka syrup, all of which are house-made.
Cendol Geylang Serai, 1 Geylang Serai, #02-107, Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre, Singapore 402001, www.facebook.com/cendolgs
Home to mouthwatering desserts in Singapore, Dove Desserts is known for its fresh and authentic traditional desserts. It is known for serving up one of the most delectable Cendols in Singapore! Aside from Cendol, they also specialize in other traditional desserts including Cheng Tng, Ice Kachang and Air Batu Campur!
Dove Desserts, 22 Lor 7 Toa Payoh, #01-21, Singapore 310022, www.dovedesserts.com
Ah Chew Desserts specializes in traditional desserts but with a local twist. They offer an extensive range of traditional desserts, ranging from soups, steamed egg, to sago and grass jelly! Some of their popular favorites include White Fungus Papaya with Almost Paste as well as Fresh Milk Steamed Egg.
Ah Chew Desserts, 1 Liang Seah St, #01-10/11 Liang Seah Place, Singapore 189032, www.ahchewdesserts.com
For somewhere quaint to indulge in traditional desserts, head over to Gong He Guan, which loosely translates to "not too sweet". This outlet serves up both hot and cold desserts, which are not too sweet. While here, try out their Mango Pudding, Sesame Paste and Almond Paste.
Gong He Guan, 28 Upper Cross St, Singapore058337, www.facebook.com/gongheguan
Wan Mei Dessert specializes in traditional Chinese desserts with a modern twist to it. For example the customizable shaved ice dessert, where patrons can opt to add on traditional toppings such as attap seeds, red bean and nata de coco. Other hot and cold desserts include Sweet Potato in Ginger Soup, Orh Nee and Pulut Hitam
Wan Mei Dessert, The Odeon, 11 East Coast Rd, #01-14, Singapore428722, www.facebook.com/wanmeidessert
Tuck into some Cantonese-style traditional desserts at Hup Ka Foon, located in Chinatown! They are known for its Cendol along with other desserts such as Durian Mousse, Durian Sago, and Red Bean with Lotus Seeds. Interestingly, this place also offers dim sum options if you are feeling peckish.
Hup Ka Foon, 18 Sago Street, Singapore 059017, www.facebook.com/HupKaFoon
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