Chinatown in Singapore is a vibrant tapestry woven with a rich history, dynamic culture, and, of course, an enticing array of culinary delights. In our brief but immersive stay at a capsule hotel nestled in the heart of this bustling neighbourhood, we embarked on a culinary journey that unfolded a blend of traditional Hong Kong pastries, modern breakfast extravagance and authentic desserts from the chinatown complex hawker centre.
Classic Hong Kong Pastries at Famous Bakery
Our exploration began at a renowned Hong Kong bakery that has made its mark in the heart of Chinatown. With the alluring scent of freshly baked pastries drawing us in, we couldn’t resist trying the classics — the iconic egg tart and the beloved polo bun. What set this experience apart was the assurance that these treats were vegetarian-friendly, avoiding the traditional use of lard. The flaky layers of the egg tart and the sweet, crumbly exterior of the polo bun transported us momentarily to the vibrant streets of Hong Kong.
A Fusion Delight: Vadai with Prawn
In the labyrinthine lanes of Chinatown, we stumbled upon a unique Singaporean fusion dish — vadai adorned with a sizeable prawn. The fusion of South Indian flavours with a succulent prawn showcased the culinary diversity that defines Singapore. However, this culinary experiment turned out to be a bit underwhelming, with the flavours not quite hitting the mark. It felt like the vadai had been sitting there for a while.
Bougie Breakfast at Nakey
As dawn painted the Chinatown skyline, we decided to indulge in a bougie breakfast experience at Nakey, a contemporary spot offering a mix of vegetarian options (but not halal). Sipping on a refreshing fresh coconut and the delightful Bandung rose latte, we dived into their innovative offerings.
The avo kale toast, a marriage of creamy avocado, gooey cheese, and crispy kale, provided a harmonious blend of textures and flavours. It was a delicious twist on the conventional avocado toast, demonstrating that even the simplest dishes can be elevated.
To satisfy our sweet tooth, we couldn’t resist the allure of their donut French toast. The very name conjured up visions of indulgence, and the dish lived up to expectations. The combination of fluffy donut-style bread soaked in luscious syrup was a symphony of sweetness that left our taste buds singing.
Fully Halal spots to try in Chinatown (but we didn’t get a chance to try)
Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles (famous hand pulled noodle restaurant from China)
Segar Restaurant (halal Chinese food)
The Bravery (brunch/cafe)
Aisyah Restaurant 西北香 (Uyghur/ Xinjiang food) – just saw on Google Maps, I think they’re closed?
Traditional desserts
Ah Chew desserts and Mei Heong Yuen Dessert are big traditional dessert restaurants you can also check out when in the area, but we opted for the hawker centre to try them the following morning.
Indulging in Sweet Delights at Chinatown Complex Hawker Centre
Amidst the vibrant tapestry of Chinatown in Singapore, we ventured into the bustling Chinatown Complex Hawker Centre, ready to explore the dessert delights that this culinary hub had to offer. The hawker centre, a quintessential part of Singaporean culture, is an expedition of culture and food and they’re everywhere in the country. Each own has its own charm and specialities.
Old Amoy Chendol: Time-Tested Shaved Ice Delight
Our dessert journey commenced with a visit to Old Amoy Chendol, an establishment steeped in history, having crafted chendol since the 1950s. Chendol, a popular shaved ice dessert, is a refreshing treat, especially in the tropical heat. The concoction includes coconut milk, rice flour pandan-flavoured jelly, gula melaka (palm sugar), and red beans. The result is a symphony of textures and flavours that make it a favourite among locals and visitors alike. It was good, but don’t get me wrong it comes nowhere near the one we had in Penang.
Fresh Drink Stall: Calamansi Juice and Grass Jelly Delight
As we continued our culinary exploration, we stumbled upon a fresh drink stall that offered both beverages and desserts. The calamansi juice, extracted from the calamansi citrus fruit, provided a burst of refreshment, offering a delightful balance of sweetness and tanginess. Intrigued by the grass jelly dessert, we dived into a shaved ice concoction featuring grass jelly, lychee bits, and more. Grass jelly, known for its herbal and slightly bitter undertones, was complemented by the juicy sweetness of lychee, creating a harmonious dessert experience.
Almond Paste: A Sweet Finale
For our final dessert indulgence, we opted for almond paste from one of the stalls offering paste-based desserts. Paste desserts, just like shaved ice desserts, are a thing here in Singapore with the likes of sesame, walnut and almond paste being a very popular traditional dessert. Despite its unassuming appearance, almond paste proved to be a delight for those with a sweet tooth. Reminiscent of marzipan, the paste presented a rich and nutty flavour profile, rounding off our dessert adventure on a sweet note.
Other desserts you can try
Min Jiang Kueh, which are Singaporean pancakes and if you’ve been to Malaysia or Singapore you’ll know them as Apam Balik or Murtabak.
Beancurd pudding or Soy milk or tofu pudding is a very traditional Chinese pudding that is worth trying of course when in the area.
Sweet potato balls from Xiang Xiang cooked food have become a viral sensation, you have to be early though as they sell out pretty quickly.
Fully Halal spots to try at the Chinatown Complex (but we didn’t get a chance to try)
Navigating through the Chinatown Complex Hawker Centre, we discovered that while halal options were limited, there was a sweet haven waiting to be explored. The variety of textures, flavours, and cultural influences showcased the diversity of Singapore’s dessert landscape, making it a must-visit for those with a penchant for culinary delights. On top of that it was Monday, which is apparently meat delivery day, so a lot of spots weren’t even open. Here are three spots you can try when you’re here:
Aziz Jaffar – get the Mee Rebus
Mum Daughter Kitchen – Nasi Padang
Bamboo Nasi rendang – some sites mention they have a stall here
Our culinary escapade in Chinatown, Singapore, was a delightful encounter with both tradition and innovation. From the timeless allure of classic Hong Kong pastries to the bold experiments in fusion cuisine, this neighbourhood continues to be a melting pot of flavours, inviting both locals and visitors to savour its culinary offerings.
Getting there:
Google Maps location link
