Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth Cravings with These 5 Beloved Singaporean Desserts

Singaporean cuisine is rich in itself. From the many fusion meals to desserts available throughout the city state, the food is considered a melting pot of rich influences from different cultures. More than anything, all walks of life truly enjoy the rich food choices they are endowed with. Even tourists do not miss out on the gastronomic adventure Singaporean food has to offer.

If you’re planning to visit Singapore, include tasting the many local desserts on your bucket list. Though they are less famous than the signature dishes sold in hawker centers (think of Hainanese chicken rice), trying them out can also become one highlight of your Singapore experience!

Pandan Cake
If the British have crumpets, Singapore has pandan cake. It is a light chiffon cake accentuated with the flavor of Pandan leaves. The inclusion of pandan is also what gives it a nice green hue. Notably, the cake is also popular across neighboring Southeast Asian countries. Pandan cake is usually served with a cup of warm Milo, which is a drink similar to hot chocolate.

Grass Jelly
Another common favorite dessert among local Singapore residents is the grass jelly (called as chin chow). It is derived from boiled mint stalks added with starch until they turn into their jelly texture. The jelly is cut into cubes — which are then served as toppings over ice thus creating a refreshing sweet treat. The perfect choice if you want to beat the summer heat!

Ice Kachang
Singapore’s ice kachang is similar to that of Korean Bingsu, which is a sweet icy treat commonly shared amongst friends. Shaved ice is drenched with flavorful syrup and then topped with jelly, red beans, and sweet corn among the many choices of your choice. It also comes with unique toppings, one of the most famous being durian fruit.

Sweet/Tissue Prata
Prata originates from the Indian roti prata, which is a type of flatbread. It has been turned into a Singaporean dessert which is made of paper thin prata (thus the name ‘tissue’) along with different sweet syrups. This dessert prata is made crispy yet not too oily at the same time. It is commonly drizzled with chocolate sauce, but local flavors also incorporate Kaya — a traditional coconut jam.

Pineapple Tart
A traditional Asian dessert, pineapple tart is also popular in Singapore especially during the holidays. This butter pastry is well-loved by locals and tourists alike. Some bakeries fill these treats with mildly spiced pineapple jam, while others simply glaze them to give it that beautiful golden color. Check out a local bakery during your Singapore visit and you are likely to find some pineapple tarts!