When the temperature increases in Singapore, so does the desire for something cool and indulgent.
With a blend of modern innovations and traditional flavours from different cultures, Singapore’s dessert offerings are as diverse as they are delicious.
Whether you are a fan of the classic ice kachang, a gourmet gelato or the popular halo-halo, this island city has it all.
Furthermore, behind each dessert offering is a unique cultural story worth telling.
Get ready to tantalise your taste buds as we unveil 10 must-try cold desserts that promise to refresh and invigorate.
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1. Traditional Ice Cream Sandwich
Maybe the attraction of the classic ice cream sandwich lies in its simplicity.
With flavour-at-your-choice ice cream served between crispy wafers or bread (pandan-green or rainbow-coloured), the ice cream sandwiches offer you the coolest bites on a hot, sunny day at an affordable price between $1 and $1.50 (depending on vendor).
The various ice cream flavours include vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and durian.
While most of the ice cream sandwich vendors (known as “ice cream uncles”) are randomly located island wide, some are fixed on Orchard Road, at Clarke Quay, and in East Coast Park.
2. Ice Kachang
A perfect dessert for hot weather, ice kachang is made up of sweet corn, jelly, red beans, and attap chee nestled under mountain-shaped ice, smothered in multi-coloured syrups and condensed milk.
This local favourite, though traditional, is also popular among the younger generations for its Instagrammable appearance, which contains a kaleidoscope of colours that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.
Located in Berseh Food Centre, Hot & Cold Dessert is one of the must-go stalls if you are a fan of ice kachang.
Hot & Cold Dessert
Location: 166 Jalan Besar, Berseh Food Centre, Singapore 208877
Opening Hours: Daily, 12pm – 8pm
3. Durian Pengat
For durian lovers and adventurous foodies alike, durian pengat – a Malay and Peranakan dessert made with durian cooked with coconut milk, palm sugar, and pandan leaves – is an absolute treat.
This sweet and creamy mousse-like delicacy is best eaten with pancakes or glutinous rice. Served chilled, each scoop of durian pengat offers a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth experience, lingering with the durian’s complex, bittersweet flavour.
You can enjoy this dessert in places like Sinpopo Brand.
Sinpopo Brand Restaurant @ TANGS
Location: 310 Orchard Rd, #02-22/27/29, Tang Plaza, Singapore 238864
Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm
4. Chendol
Laden with distinctive Southeast Asian flavours, chendol is a dessert that comprises shaved ice or ice cream soaked in coconut milk and palm sugar syrup while topped with red beans and pandan-flavoured green rice-flour jellies.
Imagine a bowl of chendol on a sweltering day: as the shaved ice or ice cream melts in your mouth, the creamy coconut milk and thick palm sugar syrup create a spot-on contrast; the chewy and aromatic jellies and sweet red beans further add layers to the flavours and textures.
Chendol takes different forms across different Southeast Asian countries, but is yummy all the same. Visit Yat Ka Yan Dessert, Nyonya Chendol, or Old Amoy Chendol to grab a taste!
Old Amoy Chendol (Main)
Location: 335 Smith St, #02-008, Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre, Singapore 050335
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat, 10:30am – 6pm
5. Semiya Payasam/vermicelli kheer (Indian pudding)
Semiya payasam, or Indian vermicelli pudding, is a South Indian dessert made with roasted vermicelli, milk, ghee, sugar or jaggery, raisins, and nuts.
This dessert is people’s go-to for festivals or special occasions like birthdays. As it is the easiest to make among all types of payasam (pudding), semiya payasam is always the choice if people have limited time or need to prepare desserts of a large quantity.
If you want to get a taste of this dessert rarely found in Singapore, you can visit The Mango Tree Indian Coastal.
The Mango Tree
Location: 91 E Coast Rd, #01-00, Singapore 428791
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed – Fri, 11:30am – 2:30pm & 6pm – 10pm; Sat 11:30am – 2:30pm & 5:30pm – 10:30pm; Sun, 11:30am – 2:30pm & 5:30pm – 10pm
6. Cheng Tng
Cheng tng, the name of which means clear soup, is a dessert made up of red dates, longans, lotus seeds, barley, sago, and white fungus, among others. This sweet treat is sold at almost all hawker dessert shops, and it can have different ingredients at different stalls.
The usual ingredients of cheng tng complement each other: chewy longans, tender white fungus, crunchy lotus seeds, silky barley pearls, and sweet, plump red dates. Each spoonful of cheng tng provides a soothing experience.
Good places for cheng tng include No Name Dessert and Ye Lai Xiang Hot and Cold Cheng Tng.
Ye Lai Xiang Cheng Tng
Location: 1 Bedok Rd, Bedok Food Centre, Singapore 469572
Opening Hours: Wed – Sun, 9:30am – 6:30pm
7. Grass Jelly
A simple dessert, grass jelly is known for its medical benefits such as lowering blood sugar level and aiding digestion.
This refreshing dessert is made by boiling oxidised stalks and leaves of Chinese mesona with potassium carbonate and starch – the liquid product is then cooled down to jelly form.
Grass jelly can be consumed in various ways, from dousing it with syrup and milk to adding toppings like nata de coco to simply enjoying it as a drink.
Visit Original Herbal Shop or 8 degrees for this antidote to the tropical heat.
8 degrees 8度空間-人文茶館 @Kovan
Location: Lowland Rd, #29, Singapore 547421
Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm
8. Halo-halo
Halo-halo, translated as “mix-mix”, is a popular Filipino cold dessert. It is made up of a concoction of crushed ice, milk, and various toppings including ube (purple yam) jam, sago, and fruit, topped with a scoop of ube ice cream and a sprinkling of crunchy toasted rice.
The shaved ice and the sourness from fruit toppings harmonise with the dominant sweetness of the remaining components, creating a delectable, refreshing, and well-balanced treat.
If you are interested in this unofficial national dessert of the Philippines, drop by Luci’s Kitchen or Kuya’s Kusinang Pinoy.
Luci's Kitchen @ Lucky Plaza
Location: 304 Orchard Rd, #02-58, Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat, 12pm – 8pm; Sun 10am – 8pm
9. Bingsu
Probably the most sought-after summer dessert in Korea, bingsu is craved by Singaporeans in hot weather too.
Traditionally, bingsu comprises of fluffy shaved ice topped with red beans (known as pat-bingsu, the most common type of bingsu). Now it has evolved to include a variety of modern toppings such as fresh fruit, crunchy nuts, chewy mochi, and even scoops of ice cream.
Popular variations include mango bingsu – which features juicy, ripe mango chunks, adding a tropical twist to the icy treat – and oreo bingsu that combines the refreshing coolness of ice with the creamy and chocolatey richness of Oreos.
Get this ultimate summer treat at Nunsaram Korean Dessert Cafe or Desert Dessert.
Nunsaram Korean Dessert Cafe Bugis
Location: 200 Victoria St, #01-70, Bugis Junction, Singapore 188021
Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 10pm
10. Gelato
Gelato, an Italian word for “ice cream”, is a frozen treat beloved by both adults and children around the world.
Gelato comes in an array of delightful flavours, from classic favourites like chocolate and vanilla to more adventurous options like pistachio, stracciatella, and fruity mango.
As compared to its more famous sibling ice cream, gelato is churned at a slower speed, resulting in a denser, smoother consistency. Plus, made with a higher proportion of milk to cream, it contains lower butterfat content and is therefore less creamy and more flavourful.
Escape from Singapore’s heat with a cone or cup of gelato from well-loved shops like Freshio Gelato and Birds of Paradise Gelato Boutique.
Freshio Gelato
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-60, Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Mon – Tue, Thu - Sun, 12pm – 10pm (Closed on Wed)
