2015 is coming to an end, and with that, we celebrate a year of amazing food and also fresh new trends that have landed on our sunny island. Of course, trends come and go but the really good ones shall stay on.

In this piece, we explore the trends that have invaded Singapore this year. The rubrics are simple – a) Photogenic and hence, hyped up on social media, b) more than one store riding on the trend, c) so delicious and/ or innovative that it is no surprise they are labeled as a ‘trend’.

Here are 13 Food Trends in Singapore in 2015 that you probably already know about. We pay homage to some of the best food that graced our nation this year.

#1 KOREAN BINGSU

What better way to curb this awful humidity than with a Korean Ice Kachang? This Korean shaved ice dessert is well-loved by many. We love how it comes in a variety of flavours, but for us, we would choose anything with injeolmi for sure!

#2 ‘BLACK’ DISHES

‘Black’ is always sexy and many have caught on to this trend. With black steamed buns, black waffles and black pastas, the chefs mainly use either squid ink or charcoal to make this happen. However gimmicky it may be, we have to say that this trend most definitely got our attention and our hearts!

#3 OVER-THE-TOP CAKE SHAKES

A small bakery in Canberra first started serving these insane milkshakes and now you can find them at many cafes around the world, including Singapore.

The Cake Shake includes crazy things ingredients such as macarons, slices of cakes, biscuits and more in a milkshake. However pretty they look in pictures, it is still a tiny bit ridiculous to us. Calories aside, aren’t cake shakes a little too massive that they don’t blend well?

#4 COCONUT ICE CREAM

These Thai-style coconut ice cream were everywhere for awhile. Served in a half coconut shell, coconut ice cream is usually paired with other condiments such as jelly or fruits. It worked really well here because anything that can save us from the heat is marvelous. But of course, they are pretty too!

#5 COLLAGEN HOTPOT

Collagen has been a trend for a long time. However, collagen in steamboats or hot pots have only been popular recently. With the most popular being Tsukada Nojo, the collagen is first served in a jelly form and it will slowly liquify into a collagen soup over high heat, resulting in a creamy, rich broth that is so sweet and addictive.

#6 FLAVOURED LAVA CAKES

From red velvet to matcha to all kinds of interesting flavours. We always welcome a classic molten chocolate lava cake, but these unique creations can be great too – but it all depends on how good the pastry chef is.

#7 ICE CREAM ROLLS

Ice Cream Rolls first became a thing when people started sharing cool videos of street vendors making it in countries such as Thailand. When Hari Raya season rolled up, people started setting up booths, and the queues were almost an hour of wait! Now, you can see permanent stores in a few places in Singapore selling this cool new technique of serving ice cream.

#8 JUICE CLEANSE – COLD-PRESSED JUICES

Whether juice cleanses actually work, it is subjective and varies from consumer to consumer. This year, there was a sudden influx of cold-pressed juice places in Singapore. However, juices like these can be pricey, so if you want to splurge, make sure you are truly disciplined to adhere to the programme for optimal results.

#9 KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN

This needs no introduction because it is basically everywhere and it is a trend that we foresee will stay a long long time. With so many restaurants specialising in this dish in Singapore, that shows just how much Singaporeans love this classic Korean dish. And, give us beer please.

#10 SALTED EGG YOLK EVERYTHING

Well, we would not say this is a new trend but rather, an ongoing one and one that is so strong this year. Salted Egg Yolk brings life to just about any dish and truth be told, we can never get sick of it. Salted Egg Yolk Chicken, Squid, Prawns… anything. We love them all!

Read: The Best Salted Egg Yolk Dishes in Singapore.

#11 SHIBUYA THICK TOAST

Thick toasts were first made popular on social media by Taiwanese cafe chain, Dazzling Cafe when they opened its doors here in Singapore. Now, so many cafes and dessert parlours have started to serve and further popularise it. And yes, they are very photogenic.

#12 SOFT-SERVE ICE CREAM

This is nothing new but 2015 has seen a spike in people going for soft-serve ice cream as more and more restauranteurs start to get creative with flavours and plating. The Korean ones are usually very well received too.

#13 CHURROS

Churros aren’t new for sure, but Singaporeans have fallen head over heels in love with them this year alongside the sudden influx of churros stalls/ kiosks sprouting out in Singapore. Are you a fan of the classic ones with cinnamon sugar, or the Korean versions with lots of fillings on the inside?

With the erratic and humid weather here in Singapore, we all need something chilled or cold to soothe and hydrate ourselves. Why not grab a cup of coconut ice cream? Served on a halved husk, this style of serving is largely adapted and inspired from the ones you get in street markets in Thailand.

With more and more specialised coconut ice cream shops popping up in Singapore, getting a cup of this delicious thirst-quenching desserts is more accessible than you think. Now, you need not travel all the way to Chatuchak in Thailand just to have it!

Here is a list of 5 Bangkok-Style Coconut Ice Creams in Singapore that you have to try!

#1 320 BELOW

East-siders rejoice because yes, there is one near you! Located inside OneKM Mall along Tanjong Katong Road, 320 Below is just a 5 minute walk from Paya Lebar MRT. 320 Below uses liquid nitrogen to freeze their ingredients, hence the ice cream served here is always tastes fresh.

Although 320 Below does not serve their freshly-made coconut ice cream in a halved coconut husk, we can ensure that they have one of the best and freshest coconut ice creams you can find here in Singapore.

11 Tanjong Katong Road
#01-K1 One KM
Singapore 437157
Tel:+65 6702 2727
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

#2 CO NUT INK

Priced at S$5 for a portion served with the standard topping of Classic Peanuts, you will be presented with a scoop of sorbet-textured coconut ice cream served atop young coconut husk and a complimentary cup of coconut water. Definitely a must-have to combat the sweltering weather while taking a stroll along Esplanade!

Esplanade Waterfront
1 Esplanade Drive, #01-K7
Singapore 039802
Tel: +65 9685 5573
Mon to Fri: 1:30pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Promenade/Esplande

#3 KOKO ICE CREAM

Opened by a group of three young men, this fresh concept stands out inside Amoy Food Street and is probably one of the most affordable around! For S$3, you get a halved husk, with coconut flesh, a scoop of coconut ice cream, two toppings of choice and a cup of fresh coconut water!

We loved Koko Ice Cream for being unpretentious and the simplicity of their ice cream, makes this a winner for us. Add a little crunch to your ice cream with either cornflakes or peanut (or pick both!) or pick a sweet sauce to be drizzled on your ice cream for a little something extra.

7 Maxwell Road
#02-104 Amoy Street Food Centre
Singapore 069111
Mon to Sat: 11am – 3.30pm
Closed on Sundays
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#4 PONG

Located in the heart of Orchard Road, Pong serves a great purpose of quenching shoppers’ thirst with their delicious coconut ice creams. The main unique point about Pong is that they serve their coconut ice cream with a choice of another fruit sorbet or ice cream.

A good choice as an accompaniment is the mango sorbet, which adds a nice slightly acidic and fruity touch to the overall taste. Top your ice cream off with a variety of ingredients such as red beans and nata de coco.

2 Orchard Link
*Scape #02-18C
Singapore 237978
Daily: 12.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#5 WIMI ICE CREAM

We can ensure you that a photo of this will be a hit on your social media platforms because of the beautiful and bright colours. As possibly the closest you can find to the one in Chatuchak, Wimi serves the biggest variety of toppings and condiments to accompany the coconut ice cream.

For S$4.90, get a scoop of coconut ice cream on a halved husk with three toppings of your choice. The toppings range from fresh pomegranate (we really loved this) to taro and even Thai red ruby. For ice cream wise, they have two types – original and ‘The Stronger’. The latter is just a more concentrated version of the classic one.

321 Clementi Ave 3
#01-13
Singapore 129905
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clementi