The 5 Best Chinese Dessert Places in Singapore

Written by Sarah Ong | June 27, 2024

Image: Honeymoon Dessert

Just make your way to Liang Seah Street in Bugis, a dessert mecca in Singapore, to satisfy your sweet tooth at one of the three big names in the field, Ah Chew, Ji De Chi and Dessert First. Or head yourself to a convenient outlet of Honeymoon Dessert in shopping mall to quench your thirst with a bowl of grass jelly and ice cream.

Mei Heong Yuen Dessert with its vast selection of shaved ice is an ideal destination for those around Chinatown area.

And now, it is time for indulging!

1. Mei Heong Yuen Dessert at Temple Street

Image: Mei Heong Yuen Dessert

Address

Mei Heong Yuen Dessert
63-67 Temple Street, Singapore 058611

Phone

+65 6221 1156

Opening hours

Tue to Sun 12:00 - 21:30

The best Chinese dessert place you should visit after a satisfying steamboat meal at Chinatown. Mei Heong Yuen is one of the few shaved ice dessert shops you will ever find on the island, earning a spot on many tourists’ list of go-to places. Just a short stroll to the Chinatown MRT, locals go to this shophouse frequently to find comfort from the hot days.

Highlights:

Wide collection of unique snow ice desserts: There are approximately 20 flavour options. Imagine! Sheets of shaved ice are piled up over one another to create a mini-tower that can be shared between two persons. You may think it sounds like your usual Ice Kachang but you’ll be surprised to realise that the flavouring of your choice has already been mixed into the ice sheets itself. It is also worth mentioning that the consistency is comparable to ice cream for its creamy taste. Apparently, this is how Mei Heong Yuen differs from the other Chinese dessert shops in Singapore.
For a bowl of traditional Cantonese paste dessert: Looks rather plain as there are no other mixes put into the dessert but unarguably healthy and can satisfy the older generation, nonetheless. Peanut paste is a crowd favourite, while Walnut, Sesame, and Almond pastes can give customers something to think about. These traditional paste desserts are made of healthy ingredients, served in soup consistency, and the portions are good for one person.
Cakes and dumplings are worth exploring: If you like to challenge the status quo, dare to try the Cantonese dumplings with an icing dip. It’s an odd concept but it might be a great game-changer for you. Other interesting selections include Chee Cheong Fun, Mango Rolls, Pumpkin Cakes, Carrot Cakes, and Glutinous Chicken Rice.

MENU: The menu is decent-sized, offering interesting snow ice flavours. There are four different categories to wander your eyes at, including special desserts, snow ice, traditional pastes, and cakes & dumplings.

MUST TRIES

Mango Snow Ice
Chendol Snow Ice
Durian Snow Ice
Peanut Paste
Mango Roll
Durian Mochi
Glutinous Rice Balls in Ginger Soup
3-Colour Cakes
Glutinous Rice with Chicken

AMBIANCE: Located at a shop house in Chinatown, Mei Heong Yuen doesn’t sport any fancy décor but it is well-maintained and smells clean. In fact, the stall looks so ordinary on the quaint Temple Street that if you are not familiar with Chinatown, you might unknowingly pass by it. Inside, the crowds can get noisy especially on busy days but if hustle and bustle doesn’t exist in the atmosphere, it shouldn’t be called traditional Chinese dessert place as they claim then.

AVERAGE PRICE/PAX: S$6

ALL LOCATIONS
Mei Heong Yuen in Chinatown
Address: 63-67 Temple Street, Singapore 058611
Tel: (65) 6221 1156
Opening hours: Tue to Sun 12:00 – 21:30

@ Ion Orchard
Address: 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-34 ION Orchard, S238801
Tel: (65) 6509 3301
Opening hours: Daily 11:00 – 22:00

@ Chinatown Point
Address: 133 New Bridge Road, #B2-32/33 Chinatown Point, S059413
Tel: (65) 6538 3892
Opening hours: Daily 11:00 – 22:00

2. Honeymoon Dessert

Image: Honeymoon Dessert

Address

200 Victoria Street, No.01-70 Bugis Junction, Singapore 188021

Phone

+65 6837 0027

Opening hours

Daily 12:00 - 22:00

A dessert paradise for people with a sweet tooth! Straight from Hong Kong, Honeymoon Dessert is set to bring the best Chinese dessert to Singapore through its seven outlets. Mango pomelo sago with tofu is loved by many as expected; some people are still coming to terms with their appreciation of durian desserts; while the others are either repelled or felt challenged by the exoticness of the double boiled bird’s nest with almond tea soup. Read on to discover this irresistible dessert place!

Highlights:

Over 100 desserts to choose from: Probably Honeymoon has the most expansive menu out there. You will definitely be spoilt for choice, from traditional hot and cold desserts to tofu pudding, sago, grass jelly, durian special, snow mountain and snacks. This place is perfect for people who couldn’t last a week without a bowl of new Chinese dessert.
Multiple locations to satisfy your unexpected sweet tooth cravings: Don’t be surprised if ever you run into a Honeymoon Dessert outlet in Bugis area or in Vivo city as this dessert house does have multiple outlets all over the island. The stalls are conveniently located in popular shopping malls so after enjoying a sumptuous lunch or dinner, you may sweep off the spices and salt on your taste buds by indulging in its delicious desserts!
Grass Jelly with a scoop of ice cream: This combination is one of the most enjoyable ways to indulge in dessert at Honeymoon. The naturally bitter grass jelly was made great with a scoop of sweet ice cream! The happiness doesn’t end there as you can always choose your favorite mix from a wide range of grass jelly style desserts, from fruit juice, vanilla, to red bean mixes.
Double boiled bird’s nest (S$25) poses to challenge the guests: Want to know how far you’re willing to go for desserts? Try this flavour out! Made from the birds’ saliva, bird’s nest dessert does sound repelling at first, but thank goodness, Honeymoon has perfected this dish by combining with other ingredients that makes it very palatable to the human taste. Definitely for foodies with brave souls out there!
Unique fruit pancake rolls: Honeymoon’s pancakes are like no other. The fruit is stuffed right into the belly of the cream filling, ready to explode and melt in your mouth. Three options are available (banana, mango, and durian), and an eggy coating will hold these fruits and cream fillings inside. But this kind of combination may not be for everyone, especially for those who don’t enjoy overly sweet desserts.

MENU
It is worth mentioning that Honeymoon Dessert has over 160 Chinese style desserts under its belt. Therefore, the menu is expansive than the other dessert stalls in Singapore, which can be a great thing for those who want to be spoilt for choices! Nevertheless, first-timers won’t have a hard time ordering as they can play it safe with the more popular options such as mango pomelo sago, durian pudding, coconut grass jelly with ice cream, or mango pancakes.

MUST TRIES

Durian Pudding
Sweet Balls & Walnut Soup & Almond tea
Durian in Vanilla Sauce with Ice-Cream
Coconut Juice Sago & Grass Jelly with Green Tea Ice-Cream
Baked Mashed Taro Sago Pudding
Thai Black Glutinous Rice with Mango

AMBIENCE
Honeymoon Dessert has a modern look. Staff is accommodating and may assist you with things as you wait in line. Most of the outlets are located inside different shopping centres so the hot weather in the dry months may be forgotten once you’ve taken a scoop of your cold dessert. However, the crowd volume can get high by the minute when you dine in at around 19:00 to 22:00, especially on weekends.

AVERAGE PRICE PER PAX: S$7

ALL LOCATIONS
@ Bugis Junction
200 Victoria Street, No.01-70 Bugis Junction, Singapore 188021

@ Vivo City
1 Harbourfront Walk No.01-93 Vivo City Singapore 098585

@ Paragon
290 Orchard Road No. B1-09 Paragon, Singapore 238859

@ Ion Orchard
No.B3-15/16, Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard, Singapore 238801

@ Katong
112 East Coast Road No. B1-30 112 Katong, Singapore 428802

@ Parkway Parade
80 Marine Parade Road, No.01-17B Parkway Parade, Singapore 449269

@ Raffles Link (Closed)
1 Raffles Link, No. B1-07, One Raffles Link, Singapore 039393

3. Ah Chew Desserts at Liang Seah Street

Image: Ah Chew Desserts

Address

1 Liang Seah Street
#01-10/11 Liang Seah Place
Singapore 189022

Phone

+65 6339 8198

Opening hours

Mon to Thu 12:30 - 23:30
Fri 12:30 - 00:30
Sat 13:30 - 00:30
Sun 13:30 - 23:30

A busy day at Bugis area may make you feel like having an invigorating and cool dessert somewhere. And for this reason, Ah Chew Desserts is the go-to place of many shoppers, diners, and casual visitors. It is dubbed as the best dessert place by the locals for having an extensive combination of traditional and modern Chinese style desserts like Mango Sago, Green Bean Soup, Yam Paste, Egg Chestnut, and so on.

Highlights:

Real ceramic bowl sets and decorative pieces from China: What better way to prepare your Chinese dessert than to put it in an authentic ceramic bowl? Also, from the façade to the dining area, everything looks old-school Chinese art décor, a scenery that can take your mind away from the highly urbanised Singapore even for a bit. This definitely adds authenticity to the experience of eating cold or hot Chinese desserts.
Best mango sago with pomelo in town: Mainly because of how the two fruits are blended perfectly together to make a soup, which charms the teens and young adults. Other ingredients like cream milk, bits of ice, and sago balance out the sweetness and sourness of these fruits, making mango puree and pomelo pulp a match made in heaven!
Hashima desserts for the adventurous: Exotic yet exciting dishes are ever-present in Chinese cuisine, even in desserts! A bowl of hashima dessert is typically filled with dried fatty tissues of edible frogs plus some sweeteners. Ah Chew offers the closest thing you can get to the authentic taste through their hashima-inspired desserts. Yes, you do have quite a few options to select from!

MENU: Ah Chew Desserts menu is expansive with approximately 50 items which fall under different categories like traditional, ice cream, hashima desserts, steamed egg, durian, sago, grass jelly, and double boiled soup desserts. Traditional desserts such as red bean paste with lily bulb, almond paste, hashima desserts, or the black glutinous rice may ring a bell to aunties and uncles. Meanwhile, newer generations may find delight in the interesting concoctions of fruits, ice creams and/or crop-based pastes in one bowl.

MUST TRIES

Mango Sago with Pomelo
Durian Mango Sago
Durian Sago
Watermelon Sago
Black Sesame Paste
Red Bean Paste
Yam Paste
Water Chestnut and Herbal Jelly
Hashima Fresh Milk Steamed

AMBIANCE: As Ah Chew is extremely popular in Bugis area, customers begin to come in at around 20:00 and it doesn’t take long before the place gets congested up until 23:00. However, the quaint Chinese interior décor, warm ambiance, and cordial staff are a great compensation for a few delays as you fall in line. Ah Chew had to lease almost the entire edifice but still can hardly accommodate the constant flow of guests every night; but you may take it as a great sign, though!

AVERAGE PRICE/PAX: S$5

4. Ji De Chi

Image: Ji De Chi

Address

8 Liang Seah Street, #01-03, Singapore 189029

Phone

+65 6339 9928

Opening hours

Daily 11:00 - 23:00

If you feel like indulging in simple yet delicious Hong Kong style dessert, Ji De Chi should be your next stop. With three outlets in the city, this popular dessert chain offers some of the best Chinese desserts at reasonable prices.

Highlights:

Classic Hong Kong style desserts with a range of hot & cold selections: What can be more heartwarming than the taste of comfort food desserts after a perfect meal? With typical hot and cold desserts on its menu (beancurd, sesame and almond paste, and mango with pomelo sago) Ji de Chi is an ideal place to indulge in traditional, homely Hong Kong style desserts.
Dessert specialties from various parts of Asia: Ji De Chi brings a variety of luscious desserts from Asia under their new product range. Nothing seems to beat the heat better than a bowl of irresistibly creamy snowy ice, a specialty of Taiwan. Want to know how sawdust pudding, a delicious creation from Macau, tastes like? Try it at Ji De Chi and feel a piece of heaven with its creamy, yet airy texture.
Amazing delights beyond the regular desserts: Want to dig into something more than shaved ice or beancurd? This place offers a variety of delicious snacks too. Nonya Rice Dumplings, Mango Baked Puff Rolls and Durian in Sticky Rice Roll are just some of the dazzling offers on its extensive menu.
Outstanding Durian with Pomelo Sago: This thick, creamy dessert comes with a generous scoop of pure durian in creamy bittersweet durian puree. Topped with pomelo sago balls, it is nothing but sheer delight for the senses.

MENU: Ji De Chi has an extensive dessert menu splitting into Ji De Chi Specials, Pastes, Steam Milk, Hot and Cold Desserts, Snacks, Hot & Cold Drinks, and Chef Specials.

MUST TRIES

Durian with Pomelo Sago
Durian Snow Ice
Mango Snow Ice
Black Sesame Paste
Almond Paste with Black Glutinous Rice Ball
Sawdust Pudding
Steam Egg White Walnut Paste
Durian Sticky Rice Roll

AVERAGE PRICE PER PAX: S$5

ALL LOCATIONS
On Liang Seah Street
Address: 8 Liang Seah Street, #01-03, S189029
Tell: (65) 6339 9928
Opening hours: Daily 11:00 – 23:00

@ Jurrong Point
Address: 63 Jurong West Central 3, #03-102/103/104, S648331
Tel: (65) 6794 8887
Opening hours: Daily 11:00 – 22:00

@ Orchard Road
Address: 68 Orchard Road, #B2-53 Plaza Singapura, S238839
Tel: (65) 6337 9828
Opening hours: Daily 11:00 – 21:30

@ Eastpoint Mall
Address: Eastpoint Mall, 3 Simei Street 6 #01-07/k3, S528833
Tel: +65 6906 3307
Opening hours: Daily 10:00 – 22:00

@ Waterway Point
Address: Waterway Point, 83 Punggol Central, 2413m, S828761
Tel: +65 6484 6522
Opening hours: Daily 10:00 – 22:00

@ The Centrepoint
Address: The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Road, #02-K02, S238843
Tel: +65 6262 6798/+65 6484 6522
Opening hours: Daily 11:00 – 22:00

5. Dessert First

Image: Dessert First

Address

8 Liang Seah Street
#01-04, Singapore 189029

Phone

+65 6333 0428

Opening hours

Mon – Thu 16:00 – 01:00
Fri 16:00 – 02:00
Sat 13:00 – 02:00
Sun 13:00 – 01:00

Tucked away in the popular Liang Seah Street, Dessert First serves some of the best Hong Kong desserts in Singapore. This tiny gem of a place is known to whip up incredibly delightful treats to pamper your sweet buds after a hearty meal. While all the desserts are irresistibly tempting, you are especially going to love this place if you are a durian fan.

Highlights:

An impressive range of irresistible cold and hot desserts at affordable rates: With as many choices as traditional warm desserts (black sesame paste with tang yuan and homemade bean curd), crispy waffles topped with ice-cream and snow ice delights in popular flavours such as chocolate, mango and honeydew – it will be hard to order just one.
A paradise for durian lovers with a variety of super luscious durian desserts: Made from real D24 durians, the rich and creamy durian creations at this sweet place will nourish your durian love. While Durian Shaved Ice is the most popular choice, you can also pick your favourite among Durian Snow Ice, Durian Sago with Pomelo and Signature Durian Waffle.
Signature Soya Beancurd Pudding: This traditional silky smooth dessert is one of the most sought-after items at Dessert First. With just nice sweetness level and offered at reasonable price (S$3.50), this delicate creamy delight will make any dessert fans satisfied without destroying their pocket or body shape.
A great late-night dessert place: If the sweet craving hit you late at night, head to this lovely dessert place. You can enjoy your sweet treats till 2:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. For other days, 01:00 is late enough?

MENU: Dessert First offers a delicious menu of ice products, crispy waffles with ice-creams and a good range of hot and cold desserts.

MUST TRIES

Durian Snow Ice
Durian Shaved Ice
Soya Beancurd Pudding
Mango Sago with Pomelo
Mango Snow Ice
Waffles with Banana and Nutella
Homemade Taro Skin Tang Yuan
Herbal Jelly
Green Tea Snow Ice with Red Beans

ATMOSPHERE: Always buzzing with sweet eaters, Dessert First has a very simple seating arrangement with a minimal décor. The menu is pasted on the tables itself. While there is a self-order counter, friendly, smiling staff will serve the ordered desserts on your tables.

PRICE RANGE