Great news for fans of Toast Hut, they have reopened a new eatery in Bukit Merah with air conditioning and other than their famous kaya toast and kopi, the new Toast Hut is also offering fried beehoon, noodle, porridge during breakfast and economic rice during lunch.

Old Airport Road Food Centre was temporarily closed for renovation during last year and the owner Melvin Soh decided to end Toast Hut due to manpower issues. Thankfully for all of us, Toast Hut finally managed to find a bigger eatery in Jalan Bukit Merah.

For those of you who are not familiar with Toast Hut, it started as a humble hawker stall at Old Airport Road Food Centre. The owner of Toast Hut has been perfecting his craft of making the best kaya toast and traditional kopi since he was 23 years old.

What sets Toast Hut’s Kaya apart from the usual is that it adopts a less sweet approach as Melvin thought that a kaya spread that is less sweet would complement the taste of traditional coffee better.

It is one of the best kaya toasts you can get in Singapore and you are definitely missing out if you haven’t tried it before.

The new Toast Hut is also selling economic rice during lunch to provide their regulars with more options.

If you are working or staying in the Bukit Merah neighbourhood, do drop by Toast Hut to support them!

Toast Hut
168 Jalan Bukit Merah #01-06 (Connection One), Singapore 150168

From the legendary Chin Mee Chin Confectionery, to the iconic Heap Seng Leong and Tong Ah Eating House, and the under-the-radar Sin Hoe Huat Cafe, here are 16 Kaya Toasts places in Singapore where you can get the best traditional Singapore-style breakfast of Kaya Toasts and local Kopi.

Photo credit: CHIN MEE CHIN Confectionery

CHIN MEE CHIN Confectionery

Specialising in local kopi, traditional kaya toasts and soft boiled eggs, Chin Mee Chin Confectionery is an institution known for its baked goods such as Swiss rolls, cream horns, luncheon meat buns and sugee cakes.

To the dismay of its loyal supporters, Chin Mee Chin Confectionery announced its permanent closure back in 2018 citing a lack of succession and manpower issues and it was closed for a few years.

The legendary Hainanese-style coffeeshop then made a sensational comeback at its original location at 204 East Coast Road.

Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
204 East Coast Road
Singapore 428903

FUN TOAST

Originally known as Kheng Nam Hong, a coffee house at Telok Ayer Street, Fun Toast has since rebranded to a modern concept where the younger generations of Singaporeans can better relate to.

One of their signatures includes the Kaya Butter Soft Bun set which features kaya smothered on buns that are crisp on the outside and incredibly soft on the inside. We highly recommend you to dip it into their soft-boiled eggs for an elevated flavour.

Fun Toast
9 Bishan Pl, #03-09, Singapore 579837
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

GOOD MORNING NANYANG CAFE

The kaya toast at Good Morning Nanyang Cafe is really unique. Their kaya spread is freshly made in-house; so rich, luscious and subtly sweet. But what sets them apart from the other kaya toast places in Singapore is their kaya ciabatta toast.

Good Morning Nanyang Cafe
Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, #02-03, Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 9650 3256

HEAP SENG LEONG

Although kopi gu you is a dying tradition, Heap Seng Leong is one of the surviving coffee shops in Singapore that still sells this old-school drink. Entering their humble space is often described as walking into a museum showcase of a 1950s kopitiam.

Slices of traditional white bread were toasted and flipped on a charcoal stove to brown both sides before they were lightly scrapped with butter knives to remove any burnt bits. Orange Hainanese-style of kaya spread and two squares of butter were sandwiched between two slices of toast before they were cut into triangles to be served.

Heap Seng Leong
10 North Bridge Rd, #01-5109
Singapore 190010
Tel: +65 6292 2368

HEAVENLY WANG

Heavenly Wang serves a mean slice of Kaya Toast (S$1.50), with thick butter slices and a sweet kaya spread generously tucked in between slightly crisp bread.

This halal eatery also whips up several other Singaporean classics too, so be sure to try out their signature Mee Siam that is well-loved by the locals.

Heavenly Wang
277 Orchard Road, #B2-07/08, Orchard Gateway, Singapore 238858
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

HILL STREET COFFEE SHOP

Hill Street Coffee Shop is an old-school coffee shop which evokes a sense of nostalgia that is hard to find in Singapore.

You have to try Hill Street Coffee Shop’s Steamed Kaya Bread. Expect to sink your teeth into the incredibly soft white bread, coated with a generous kaya spread with a distinct coconut element and topped off with pieces of savoury butter.

Hill Street Coffee Shop
Supertree Grove, Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive
Singapore 018953
Tel: +65 6702 3373

HUB & SPOKE

Located just outside Changi Airport Terminal 2 is HUB & SPOKE Cafe, a hidden glass house cafe which serves an array of affordable local dishes including Nasi Lemak, local Kopi and Kaya Toast.

They offer both kaya toast and steamed bread and you can choose from the usual fillings such as kaya butter, butter sugar, and peanut butter. All sets come with a choice of kopi/teh and soft-boiled eggs.

HUB & SPOKE Cafe
60 Airport Boulevard #01-T2S-02,
Singapore Changi Airport, 819643
Daily: 7.30am – 10.30pm

KILLINEY KOPITIAM

The pioneer outlet of Killiney Kopitiam was founded in 1919 and still operates along Killiney Road today; it is the longest standing Hainanese coffee shop in Singapore.

Other than the kaya toast, the coffee shop also dishes countless of local delights such as their famed Laksa and Curry Chicken. The standards across various outlets have dropped over the years, but the original branch at Killiney Road is still as good as before.

Killiney Kopitiam
67 Killiney Road, Singapore 239525
Tel: +65 6734 3910
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

KAFFE & TOAST

The halal subsidiary of Coffee & Toast, Kaffe & Toast is a local chain with more than 10 outlets in Singapore. Their kaya spread is made with more doses of egg yolk and is generously slathered on each slice of freshly grilled bread. We also love with the Mackerel Otah Bun that comes with fish otah.

Kaffe & Toast
10 Eunos Rd 8, #B1-157, Singapore 408600
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

KENG WAH SUNG

Situated along Geylang Lorong 41, Keng Wah Sung is one of the oldest coffee shops in Singapore and it has been serving its amazing local breakfast with kaya toast, traditional kopi and soft-boiled eggs for more than 70 years.

Keng Wah Sung Coffeeshop
783 Geylang Road
Singapore 389672

TOAST BOX

Opened by the BreadTalk group, Toast Box prides itself on offering authentic breakfast that will bring one back to the 70′s.

It is set to ignite nostalgia amongst the Singaporeans, completing the experience with a good Nanyang cuppa and grilled Kaya Toasts. Other popular options include the Floss Toast and Crunchy Peanut Butter Thick Toast.

Toast Box
AMK Hub, No. 53 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, #01-01, Singapore 569933
Tel: +65 6484 6591
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

TONG AH EATING HOUSE

Previously located in an iconic red and white building, Tong Ah Eating House is a traditional coffee shop that has been around since 1939 and has gained recognition for both its charcoal-toasted and steamed kaya toast.

While there is no lack of kaya toast places in Singapore, Tong Ah Eating House is one of those eateries that keeps customers going back for more. Everything is kept simple—from the modest wall decorations to their humble kaya toast and traditional coffee.

Be sure to catch them toasting the kaya toast on traditional charcoal grills and you can even request for your toast to be extra crispy.

Tong Ah Eating House
35 Keong Siak Road, Singapore 089143
Tel: +65 6223 5083

SIN HOE HUAT CAFE

A perennial favourite amongst the residents who live around the area and the folks who frequent the Lower Pierce Reservoir Park, Sin Hoe Huat Cafe at Sembawang Hills Food Centre has been serving simple yet consistently delicious traditional breakfast of kaya toasts and kopi since 1968!

Sembawang Hills Food Centre is not exactly an accessible location, but trust us, the kaya toasts and coffee from Sin Hoe Huat Cafe are worth travelling for.

Sin Hoe Huat Cafe
590 Thomson Road
#01-01 Sembawang Hills Food Centre
Singapore 574419

YA KUN KAYA TOAST

Established in 1944, Ka Kun Kaya Toast—one of the most famous kaya toast places in Singapore—needs no introduction.

The kaya from Ya Kun—made up of eggs, coconut milk, sugar and pandan—is sandwiched between crisp brown toasted bread. The household brand constantly keeps up with the trend to offer new menu items, and the consistency is the reason for our loyalty.

Ya Kun Kaya Toast
18, #01-01 China St, 049560
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

 YY KA FEI DIAN

Located in an old shophouse at the junction of Beach Road and Purvis Street, YY Kafei Dian is known for its traditional Hainanese fare and their famous old-school kaya toast and local kopi.

On the menu, you can find Hainanese fare including chicken rice, Hainanese-style pork chops, Hainan Braised Pork Belly and a range of zi char dishes. But what you have to try is their traditional coffee and old-school kaya toasts which are amongst the best that we’ve tried in Singapore.

YY Ka Fei Dian
37 Beach Rd, #01-01, Singapore 189678
Tel: +65 6336 8813

Nothing beats a good ol’ slice of traditional kaya butter toast and a cup of coffee for breakfast. For the uninitiated, kaya is a custard essentially derived from a mix of pandan, coconut milk, eggs and sugar to give it a creamy texture.

Toast Hut at Old Airport Road Food Centre is a stall you should make a point to travel to. Melvin Soh, the owner of Toast Hut, has been perfecting his craft of making the best kaya toast and traditional kopi since he was 23 years old.

Melvin used to work part-time in coffee shops back in his secondary school days, and through that, he slowly took interest in these traditional delights. After which, he took a leap of faith and ventured into the hawker scene right after his National Service.

He wakes up at 3.30am in the morning daily to assiduously prepare for the opening of his stall at 4.15am so that his regulars can get their coffee as early as 6.30am in the morning!

Toast Hut has their own take on Kaya Butter Toast and we definitely are not complaining.

What sets Toast Hut’s Kaya apart from the usual is that Melvin adopts a less sweet approach as Melvin thought that a kaya spread that is less sweet would complement the taste of traditional coffee better.

The result? A win-win outcome that provides customers with a healthier option whilst getting the best taste of the kaya toast and coffee pairing.

Unique to Toast Hut is the Giant Bun, which has an interesting take on traditional breakfast. It features a crispy grilled layer at the top of the bun and a fluffy interior with just the appropriate amount of kaya and butter inside.

Coffee is serious business at Toast Hut—it is only after countless step-by-step attempts by Melvin over the years before he managed to nail the traditional taste of coffee. The superbly aromatic and fragrant kopi at Toast Hut is so good we’d choose this over gourmet coffee any time.

Toast Hut is not on any food delivery apps as they want to keep the prices of the kaya toasts and kopi affordable. Please support this hawker stall when you are around the Old Airport Road Food Centre.

Toast Hut
51 Old Airport Road #01-52
Old Airport Road Food Centre
Singapore 390051

Before the trend of hipster and thematic eateries, there were the old-school ones, just simple family-run establishments that serve up good grub. These are the original spots where our parents and even grandparents used to eat at during their youth.

Sure, they may not dish out fancy culinary skills or possess any aesthetic qualities worthy of the ‘gram’, but what you can expect are honest food and a homely atmosphere. Here are 9 old-school eateries that you should visit before they officially become history.

#1 ANANDA BHAVAN RESTAURANT

Established in 1924, Ananda Bhavan Restaurant is the oldest Indian vegetarian restaurant in Singapore. The very first restaurant that opened was located along Selegie Road, at the rim of Little India and is a popular spot among locals.

Ananda Bhavan has many traditional snacks and tiffin dishes on its menu with their thosai, thali sets and bhatura being crowd favourites.

58 Serangoon Road
Singapore 217964
Tel: +65 6396 5464
Daily: 7.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Little India

#2 BISCUIT KING

If you happen to be an avid fan of nostalgia and all things authentically Singaporean, then Biscuit King is a place you most definitely have to check out. Stepping into this humble snack shop will transport you back to your beloved childhood days—that is if you happen to be born before the late 90s.

Biscuit King is an old-school tidbit and toy wonderland that brims with nostalgia. From iconic past-times such as ‘pick-up sticks’ and ‘snakes and ladders’ that we used to indulge in back in primary school, to childhood snack time favourites such as iced gems to pineapple jam biscuits, this is a place worth checking out no matter which generation you belong to.

130 Casuarina Road
Singapore 579518
Tel: +65 6458 0925
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

#3 GUAN HOE SOON

Guan Hoe Soon is a hidden gem in Joo Chiat that has dedicated itself to Peranakan cuisine ever since 1953. The restaurant might be a little bit of a hassle to get to unless you drive, but the food speaks of something worth the effort of getting to.

Here is where you can get proper Peranakan food as good as the ones your Nonya grandparents used to whip up (if you ever had any). Expect the classics such as their Ayam Buah Keluak, Assam Fish and Babi Panggang.

40 Joo Chiat Place
Singapore 427764
Tel: +65 6344 2761
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Eunos

#4 KENG ENG KEE SEAFOOD

Starting out as a Hainanese chicken rice stall and progressively transforming itself into a zi char stall in the 1970s, Keng Eng Kee Seafood (KEK) is one of the more prominent standouts in the sea of zi char stalls in Singapore.

Dishes that come highly recommended include the Salted Egg Crab, Fried Hor Fun and Coffee Pork Ribs, but as much as those items are our all-time must-haves whenever we go there, most, if not all their dishes are pretty spot on as well.

KEK is very popular and

124 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-136
Singapore 150124
Tel: +65 6272 1038
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

#5 LOVE CONFECTIONERY

When it comes to traditional confectioneries done right, nothing beats a good-old vintage bakery or confectionery. One such confectionery that still stands and is still a perennial favourite among many Singaporeans, is Love Confectionery.

At this neighbourhood bakery located in Alexandra Village, you won’t find dainty designs or out-of-this-world flavour pairings. Instead, what you can be sure of, are rich, sweet and intensely flavoured cakes that will no doubt have you yearning for the gym after—from their oh-so-decadent buttercream cake and their ever-popular, pandan chiffon cake.

122 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-60
Singapore 150122
Tel: +65 6278 2385
Daily: 12pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

#6 RED STAR RESTAURANT

Perhaps one of the few remaining authentic, old-school dim sum restaurants in Singapore—that comes with middle-aged ladies pushing food carts around with a myriad of edible dim sum treats—is Red Star Restaurant.

Red Star is nowhere near any of the finer dining dim sum concepts around, in fact, far from it. But what it can promise you, is an exceptional dim sum meal that will leave you full and happy.

54 Chin Swee Road #07-23
Singapore 160054
Tel: +65 6532 5266
Mon to Sat: 8am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 7am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#7 SINGAPORE ZAM ZAM

Serving up delicious murtabak since 1908, Singapore Zam Zam is a humble restaurant located along North Bridge Road that is no stranger to locals—especially the meat lovers. Our personal favourites include the mutton murtabak that sees generous amounts of minced mutton, egg and onions as well as the chicken murtabak that uses shreds of chicken instead. But of course, mixing your meats is an option as well so go right ahead and ask the staff.

697-699 North Bridge Road
Singapore 198675
Tel: +65 6298 6320
Daily: 7am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

#8 TONG AH EATING HOUSE

Previously located in an iconic red and white building, Tong Ah Eating House is a traditional coffee shop that has been around since 1939 and has gained recognition for both its charcoal-toasted and steamed kaya toast.

While there is no lack of kaya toast sets in Singapore, Tong Ah Eating House is one of those eateries that keeps customers going back for more. Everything is kept simple—from the modest wall decorations to their humble kaya toast and coffeeshop-style coffee.

35 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089142
Tel: +65 6223 5083
Daily: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park

Situated in Vanguard Campus, the newest addition to the café enclave in Kallang is Banchong Café. Contrary to its mod decor which screams hipster café food, Banchong Café serves up local fare and the classic Singaporean breakfast of kopi and toast.

Going for an al fresco concept, the café was incredibly aesthetically-pleasing—white cages for walls, with plants adorning them, high ceilings and minimalist decor—definitely instagrammable according to our books.

With such aesthetics, you wouldn’t expect it to have a name like Banchong Café. But the origins of the name can be found on the stone plague, bearing Banchong Industries on the wall right at the entrance. The previous occupants of the building, Banchong Industries was a corrugated cardboard box manufacturer. And as a tribute to them, the café has named themselves after them.

The menu was simple and featured toasts, bowls and drinks, which were all at wallet-friendly prices. The café also prides themselves on locally-sourced ingredients and their kaya is made fresh in-house daily; none of that artificial colouring or preservatives.

//

First up was the French Loaf Kaya & Butter Set (S$4.50) which came with 2 soft-boiled eggs and a coffee or tea. Colloquially known as jiam tao loti or pointed bread, this type of bread is not usually offered when we order kaya toast.

Slightly toasted with a chewy core, the French loaf had a unique fragrance that went extremely well with the homemade kaya and huge slice of butter. Definitely a must-try when you’re here!

We also ordered the quintessential Kaya Toast (S$2.20). The perfectly toasted traditional bread was crisp and slathered with their homemade kaya and a thick wedge butter.

The homemade kaya from Banchong Café was an absolute delight. Light, fluffy and fragrant, it’s probably why the kaya toast here stands out from the crowd despite its simplicity.

//

Last up was the Laksa Set (S$6.50) which includes a coffee or tea. We thoroughly enjoyed the rich and thick laksa broth made from coconut milk and dried shrimps which was surprisingly spicy. It came in a sizeable portion and saw a generous serving of ingredients such as fresh prawns, fish cake, shredded chicken breast, hard-boiled egg and tau pok.

Our freshly brewed and pulled kopi was reminiscent of the traditional ones you’d get in coffee shops without the acidity. It was nutty and not overly sweet too. A good balance of tea and milk, we could tell quality tea leaves were used for the teh.

Catering mostly to the office crowd in the area, Banchong Café is a great place for local fare in a spruced up environment. And we love that they have taken it upon themselves in keeping traditions alive!

1 Kallang Junction
Vanguard Campus
Singapore 339263
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 6pm
(Closed Saturday and Sunday)
Nearest Station: Bendemeer

We’ve seen countless food and restaurant concepts from all over the world opening up here over the years and while Singapore remains a hub for all things new and trendy with regards to gastronomy, there are several heritage gems that still, and will always, bear timeless appeal.

These are the places that our parents and even grandparents used to frequent, the original hangout spots before the era of modern cafes and posh eateries. Taking a trip down memory lane, here is our list of 8 dining establishments that will transport you back to old Singapore.

BRITISH HAINAN

Tucked in the estates of Joo Chiat lies a quaint family-run restaurant—British Hainan—and dining here feels like we are taken back to 1960s. Once you step into the restaurant, you can find lots of vintage collectables like old gramophones, mixers and pay phone that we used in the past.

They serve multiple classic British dishes with a Hainanese twist, but the dishes to-die-for include their signature oxtail stew and their braised lamb shank.

75 Carpmael Road
Singapore 429812
Tel: +65 6336 8122
Mon to Sun: 11am – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Closed on Tuesdays
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar/Eunos

//

COLBAR

First opened in 1953 at Jalan Hang Jebat to serve as the unofficial canteen for members of the British Army back in the day, Colbar is both a heritage site as well as a popular haunt for lovers of craft beer and a wide variety of both Chinese and Western grub.

The food is nothing much to rave about but what you do get is a charming and fascinating look into old colonial Singapore—and a couple of ice-cold artisanal beers too while you’re at it.

9A Whitchurch Road,
Singapore 138839
Tel: +65 6779 4859
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

//

COLONY

What sets Colony apart from other buffet restaurants is that they adorn a classic charm that transports you back to a time to when Singapore was still a developing state and the culinary journey at Colony will remind you of our heritage.

The Colony impresses even the most discerning taste buds through seven kitchens that showcase a mouth-watering spread of Chinese, Indonesian, Indian, Malaysian, Western and local dishes.

7 Raffles Ave
The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore
Singapore 039799
Tel: +65 6434 5288
Mon to Sat: 6.30am – 10.30am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 3.30pm – 5.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 6.30am – 10.30am, 12pm – 3.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

//

HEAP SENG LEONG

They say that you need to keep making changes in order to improve but Heap Seng Leong coffeeshop has proved that philosophy wrong. Established in 1974, this coffee shop has kept maintained its heritage by doing things the way it used to be done 40 years ago.

Apart from the traditional breakfast, Heap Seng Leong is well known for their kopi gu you, which is also known as butter coffee. The taste of kopi gu you is similar to that of a normal kopi but much creamier with a slice of cold butter that melts on top.

10 North Bridge Road, #01-5109
Singapore 190010
Daily: 4am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Lavender

KILLINEY KOPITIAM

Singapore’s second largest kaya toast chain with more than 20 outlets nationwide, Killiney Kopitiam is a well-established coffee shop with outlets conveniently located at popular locations, easy for their customers to find.

Many might think of Ya Kun when it comes to kaya toast but Killiney definitely puts up a good fight. Slathered with sweet kaya and butter in between the two slices of soft bread that have already been toasted to perfection, the aroma of the slightly burnt toast is hard to forget.

67 Killiney Road
Singapore 239525
Tel: +65 6734 3910 / 6734 9648
*Mon, Wed to Sat: 6am – 10pm
Tues & Sun: 6am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

(Killiney Kopitiam has multiple outlets)

//

OLD SCHOOL DELIGHTS

Modelled to look like a typical classroom, Old School Delights is one of the most interesting vintage cafes we have ever been to. Decorated with chalkboards, wooden furniture, and a menu in a form of an exercise book, this place definitely makes us wish we were back in school because as much as we hated school, we have to admit that school days were definitely the best days of our lives.

Old School Delights strives to relive culinary memories of Singapore’s past through their authentic recipes that have been passed down through generations. A must-try at the café is their famous Old School Heritage Mee Siam that boasts over 30 years of history. The rich flavour of the mee siam paired with a touch of zesty lime just makes the whole dish perfect!

180 Kitchener Rd
Singapore 208539
Tel: +65 6458 4518
*Mon to Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

(Old School Delights has multiple outlets)

TONG AH EATING HOUSE

Although kaya toast sets can easily be found in Singapore, Tong Ah Eating House is one of those eateries that we just can’t get enough of, from its rustic, old-world charm to their stellar kopi and kaya toast offerings.

Their Traditional Kaya Toast Set comes with kaya toast, two soft-boiled eggs, and a drink. Toasted till slightly charred, the kaya toast was exceptionally crispy with a smoky aftertaste.

35 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089142
Tel: +65 6223 5083
Daily: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park

YET CON RESTAURANT

Founded in 1940, Yet Con Restaurant has been dishing out plates of their popular and oh-so-tasty chicken rice even way before the Japanese occupation.

At Yet Con, their chicken is cooked for hours, which enhances the flavours of the meat and gives it its signature tenderness. You can really feel the firm texture of the meat, which was not too drying and their chicken skin is definitely not oily at all.

25 Purvis Street
Singapore 188602
Tel: +65 6337 6819
Daily: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade