As one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Singapore, Serangoon Gardens is a private residential area brimming with all sorts of F&B establishments—ranging from hawker centres to hipster cafes and fine restaurants.

Ask any local about the must-tries in Serangoon Gardens and no doubt many will point you to Chomp Chomp Food Centre. However, those who residinnd the area would know that there is more to the dining scene at Serangoon Gardens than just that.

Here are our top picks of hawker stalls, cafes, bars and eateries you have to visit at Serangoon Gardens.

AH SENG BRAISED DUCK RICE

A family-favourite at Serangoon Gardens Market & Food Centre, Ah Seng Braised Duck Rice became popular through word-of-mouth recommendations as their braised duck is considered to be one of the best in the area.

For S$3.50, diners get a portion of braised duck and white rice that is drizzled over with savoury soy sauce.

49A Serangoon Garden Way
#01-44, Serangoon Gardens Market & Food Centre
Singapore 555945
Tel: +65 9667 4860
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 7.30pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Serangoon

ALIFF NASI LEMAK

Ask anyone what you have to order at Serangoon Gardens Market & Food Centre and you will most likely get Aliff Nasi Lemak as the answer. This muslim-owned stall offers mouthwatering Nasi Lemak from S$3 and the secret to their success is the use of natural ingredients.

Complement the flavourful rice with ingredients such as deep-fried chicken wings, ikan bilis and otak otak.

49A Serangoon Garden Way
#01-27 Serangoon Garden Market
Singapore 555945
Tue to Thu, Sat & Sun: 7.30am – 2pm
Mon & Fri: Closed
Nearest Station: Serangoon

BOTTEGA

Takign over the former premise of Udders Ice Cream at myVillage, Bottega—an Italian grocer, bar and restaurant—imports their ingredients from trusted artisan suppliers for their Italian-inspired dishes. Their signature pizzas are made from Italian soft wheat blend, which is free from all sorts of preservatives.

Besides their range of pizzas, pastas and desserts, you can also purchase Italian groceries from them.

1 Maju Avenue
#01-11
Singapore 556679
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

GARDEN STREET KWAY CHAP

This family business has been around for years and they are still dedicated to serving hearty, comforting bowls of kway chap that start from S$4.50. Some of our favourites include pig intestines, pork slices, pig skin and salted vegetables.

49A Serangoon Garden Way
#01-21 Serangoon Garden Market
Singapore 555945
Tue to Sun: 8am – 3pm
Mon: Closed
Nearest Station: Serangoon

GEYLANG CLAYPOT RICE

Claypot rice is comfort food for us and if you are looking for a great option to look out for at Serangoon Gardens is Geylang Claypot Rice.

If you have time to spare, their claypot chicken rice is worth the 25-minute wait. In addition, the eatery also serves other classic zi char dishes too.

4 Maju Avenue
Singapore 556682
Mon to Wed, Fri to Sun: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 11.30pm
Tel: +65 6816 2754
Nearest Station: Serangoon

HAJIME TONKATSU & RAMEN

Opened by Chef Tan-San—who was previously from Tonkichi and Tampopo—Hajime Tonkatsu & Ramen is a casual eatery at myVillage which offers authentic tonkatsu and ramen at relatively affordable prices. Some of the recommended dishes include the Premium Pork Loin (S$21.90) and Miso Ramen (S$11.90).

1 Maju Avenue,
myVillage @ Serangoon Garden, #02-07/8/9
Singapore 556679
Tel: +65 6509 9952
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station:

HANWOORI KOREAN RESTAURANT

Hanwoori Korean Restaurant is one of those under-the-radar restaurants that only Korean food lovers in the know and residents will find their way here.

The owner is a jovial lady that is so passionate and hospitable, she makes you feel like you are dining in a hole-in-the-wall joint in Korea. We find ourselves returning so often for she serves very authentic Korean food.

76 Serangoon Garden Way
Tel: +65 6283 6339
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

LITTLE WIMBLY LU

Opened by the same folks behind Wimbly Lu, Little Wimbly Lu is a dessert cafe where you will find all the sweet tooths. You can expect a delicious offering of waffles, ice cream and cakes on the menu. Some noteworthy items include Nutella Chocolate Pie, Earl Grey White chocolate Mousse Cake and Salted Caramel Brownie.

1 Maju Avenue
#01-09/10 myVillage
Singapore 556679
Sun to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 12 Midnight
Nearest Station: Serangoon

NUNSARAM

Step inside Nunsaram and cool off from the sweltering heat with a bowl of Korean bingsu. Located just beside Oblong, patrons can choose among 15 different bingsu flavours and crowd favourites include injeolmi and black sesame.

The best part? Nunsaram is opened till late at night so if you are looking for a late-night dessert spot in Serangoon Gardens, you know where to go.

12 Maju Avenue
Singapore 556690
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 12 Midnight
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Serangoon

PLONK

Australian bar Plonk has just the right ambience for after-work drinks with your colleagues and friends. Carrying wine from Australia and even Europe, go all out at their fully-stocked bar and Mediterranean food.

Highlights of their menu include Cape Grim Steak, Chicken Liver Pate and Plonk’s Own Deconstructed Steak Sandwich. Plonk also offers all-day brunch on the weekends.

7 Maju Avenue
Singapore 556685
Tel: +65 6286 4688
Mon to Fri: 11am – late
Sat & Sun: 9am – late
Nearest Station: Serangoon

POW SING RESTAURANT

Established in 1983, Pow Sing Restaurant at Serangoon Gardens is known for their traditional Hainanese Chicken Rice and Nyonya dishes including Ayam Buah Keluak and Kueh Pie Tee. We have been patronising Pow Sing Restaurant for years and the Chicken Rice is always very satisfying. We will go so far as to say that it is one of the best chicken rice restaurants in Singapore.

59 Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555961
Tel: +65 6284 0800
Daily: 9.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

RK EATING HOUSE

Known for their gigantic tissue prata and teh tarik towers, RK Eating House is our favourite prata restaurant in Singapore. The prata place is open for 24 hours so you can get your prata fix at any time of the day. Besides prata, they also have other Indian-Muslim options such as murtabak and Indian rojak.

1A Kensington Park Road
Singapore 557253
Tel: +65 6289 5379
Daily: 24 Hours
Nearest Station: Serangoon

SOI THAI KITCHEN

Up for some spicy, sour and full-flavoured Thai cuisine? Make your way to Soi Thai Kitchen where you can feast on tom yum soup, basil pork and Thai fried rice to your heart’s content.

Dishes range from S$6 to S$10 and customers save on GST and service charges when they dine there.

58 Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555954
Tel: +65 6282 3788
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 1.30pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

SOON HUAT PIG’S ORGAN SOUP

A crowd favourite and one that sees insanely long queues on a regular basis, is Soon Huat Pig’s Organ Soup. We really adore their soup that boast a delicate flavour yet brims with a delightful pork and garlicky flavour.

Be sure to order up a side of their braised dishes as well—their braised pig trotters is a must, and you have the option of opting for extra lean or extra fatty.

51 Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555947
Tue to Sun: 9.30am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

SRI SUN EXPRESS

A popular hangout spot among the young crowd, Sri Sun Express is a 24-hour eatery that serves up a smorgasbord of Indian supper favourites from the classic roti prata (done in possibly a hundred different ways), murtabak to even some innovative creations such as their masala tacos.

Another common sight here is their massive 3-litre drink towers.

56 Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555952
Tel: +65 6282 2325
Daily: 24 Hours
Nearest Station: Serangoon

STAPLE FOOD

Staple Food in Serangoon Gardens aims to provide nutritious, yet gratifying meals that do not compromise on taste—using only fresh ingredients so from reliable suppliers. The cafe has a curated food menu but diners can customise their own bowl to suit their personal dietary needs.

Fans of salted egg yolk will not be disappointed with their Egg Yolk Soft Shell Crab (S$16) pasta.

1 Maju Avenue
#B1-23/24, myVillage
Singapore 556679
Tel: +65 6634 1181
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

STEAM BOX

A fairly current dining concept that fuses the idea of steaming raw food as opposed to the conventional hot pot or grill, Steam Box is an underrated restaurant in the Serangoon Gardens Estate that truly deserves a mention.

Their ingredients are fresh and prices are relatively affordable too, which make a great alternative for group dining if you are sick of hot pot.

68 Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555962
Tel: +65 6281 6939
Tue to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 11pm
Mon: Closed

For more recommendations, read our guide on Chomp Chomp Food Centre—featuring the 8 best local food to try.

Located on the first level of Gek Poh Shopping Centre in Jurong West, OH MY MANGO is a new dessert cafe that breathes new life into the somewhat run-down neighbourhood shopping centre. Specialising in Thai-inspired sweet treats, their menu boasts more than 40 different items from desserts to colourful beverages and even assorted Shibuya toasts that are available in both sweet and savoury varieties.

If you think that this is just another neighbourhood dessert pitstop, think again. On their menu, you can expect to find some pretty interesting offerings such as their Tom Yum Goong Toast (S$6.90) which is somewhat similar to a pizza except with the addition of the spicy and zesty flavours of Thailand’s iconic dish.

Those living in the West of Singapore truly have something to be glad about, especially with so many interesting cafes and eateries sprouting up around the area. Whether it’s a quick coffee run or a much-needed sugar spike, OH MY MANGO Dessert Cafe is a great option to consider.

This humble establishment has both indoor and outdoor seating but ordering is done in the separate unit just next door. Here, the overall appearance is kept minimalistic with plenty of hipsterish decors to give it a cafe-like vibe.

Their menu features more than 40 items ranging from sweet bingsu, a wide array of Shibuya toast options and a pretty extensive range of beverage options—from the iconic Thai milk tea to some quirky innovations.

Going by the name of OH MY MANGO, it would be a waste if we did not try at least one mango dessert, and boy were we impressed by the Fresh Mango Toast (S$10.90).

Comprising a scoop of mango-flavoured ice cream, cubes of deliciously sweet mango and a sprinkling of crushed almonds atop a thick and crispy slab of buttery toast, this to us gives the typical ice-cream-and-waffle combination a serious run for its money.

For the matcha fans, the Matcha Green Tea Bingsu (S$9.90) works up a real treat especially with the addition of a sticky red bean purée and crushed almonds that not only provides a nice texture to the bingsu but also bolsters the bitter green tea flavour with a hint of sweetness.

Anyone who loves Thai food will surely appreciate their Mango Sticky Rice (S$6). Simply put, this popular Thai dessert comes with no gimmicks attached. It comprises sweet sticky rice, fresh mangoes and a salted coconut sauce that you can pour over everything.

We have tried numerous variations all over, but the qualities that we believe determine a solid mango sticky rice dessert is the consistency of the coconut sauce and the freshness of the mango—which the good folks here nail down beautifully.

OH MY MANGO Dessert Bar
762 Jurong West Street 75
#01-334 Gek Poh Shopping Centre
Singapore 3640762
Tel: +65 9066 0426
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Boon Lay

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best cafes in the West of Singapore.

Happy 2nd birthday, our favourite waffles heaven Twenty Grammes!

Twenty Grammes is a dessert bar that has been so popular since its first outlet in North Bridge Road, and the newer outlet at Ang Mo Kio is no less inviting. They specialise in waffles and ice cream, and that’s pretty much the best things on earth.

In conjunction with their 2nd anniversary this month, Twenty Grammes has rolled out a dessert that is bound to get you excited—Hojicha Soft Serve on Waffle.

And on top of that, we have a really great deal for all of you. From now until 23 December 2016, quote ‘ladyironchef’ to get 50% OFF the second waffle or bingsu (on the lower-priced item) on weekdays.

Here are 10 Most Instagrammable Desserts From Twenty Grammes.

#1 S’MORES WAFFLE

Made up of Twenty Grammes’ signature crispy and fluffy Belgian waffles, the S’mores Waffle (S$15) is topped with melted torched marshmallows, chocolate hazelnut sauce, graham crackers, whipped cream and a scoop of ice cream to your preference. We recommend getting a chocolate-based ice cream flavour to go with this particular waffles!

#2 SASSY FELLOW

If you are not the biggest fan of chocolates, how does a banana waffle sound? The Sassy Fellow (S$12.90) features slices of fresh bananas cooked inside a waffle batter. The cooked waffles are then topped with more bananas, walnuts for an added crunch, maple syrup, sea salt caramel sauce and a huge scoop of Vanilla or Honey-Scotch Ice Cream.

#3 ISABELLE WAFFLE

The Isabelle Waffle (S$16.50) is a full-black charcoal waffle topped with everything a health nut will love—greek yogurt, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, banana, granola, pumpkin seeds, maple syrup and a sprinkle of icing sugar. A very pretty one indeed, and it’s great for days when you don’t want to sin too much but still need your waffle fix.

#4 YUAN YANG WAFFLE

The Yuan Yang Waffle (S$15) is an Instagram hit. Half of the waffle is charcoal, and the other is the classic batter. This monochromatic beauty is topped off with a huge serving of milk soft serve, cookie sticks, granola and chocolate hazelnut sauce. Simple, but it works for our soul all the time. This has always been one of our favourites at Twenty Grammes.

#5 INJEOLMI BINGSU

Yes, you read it right. Twenty Grammes has introduced the Korean dessert to their menu! The Injeolmi Bingsu (S$12.90) is a classic rendition of the Korean snow ice dessert and is topped off with soybean powder.

#6 CHOCOLATE FUDGE BROWNIE BINGSU

The Chocolate Fudge Brownie Bingsu (S$14.50) is a more badass version with generous toppings; just look at those huge chunks of fudge brownies. Although this version isn’t quite like the traditional bingsu, it is definitely more satisfying and we prefer this to the former!

#7 RAINBOW CREPE CAKE

Twenty Grammes makes all of the cakes in house and for this, we are certainly impressed. We actually really enjoyed this Rainbow Crepe Cake (S$8.90), a 2nd Anniversary special. We know that most people write off rainbow desserts as they usually look better than they taste but in this case, the crepe cake was creamily good. The layers were even and the buttercream was delicious.

#8 BLUE VELVET CAKE

This Smurf-coloured cake (S$7.90) is gorgeous and we could not keep our eyes off it. The cake layers are fluffy and soft, and sure you may say the blue comes from food colouring but we love how pretty it is anyway. By the way, it is not overly sweet like normal coloured cakes would taste.

#9 WHITE CHOCOLATE COTTON CANDY AFFOGATO

The White Chocolate Cotton Candy Affogato (S$7.90) is such a beauty. Fluffy pink cotton candy cloud sits atop white chocolate ice cream and warm espresso, and when you pour the chocolate over, the cotton candy crumbles and melts into the coffee. Sugar rush, anybody?

#10 2ND ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL – HOJICHA SOFT SERVE ON WAFFLE

Saving the best for the last—Twenty Grammes introduces Hojicha Soft Serve on Waffle (S$8.50) in conjunction with their 2nd anniversary. The soft serve sits nicely in a cup with bite-sized waffle pieces, and is decorated with beautiful lavender edible flowers. We loved the taste of the Hojicha waffle. Intense roasted flavours but not overpowering; just the way we like it!

From now until 23 December 2016, quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy a 50% discount OFF any second waffle or bingsu (on the lower-priced item) at both Twenty Grammes outlets. The offer is only valid on weekdays, and is not applicable for takeaways.

Twenty Grammes
753 North Bridge Road
#01-01
Singapore 198721
Tel: +65 6717 1733
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Bugis

529 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10
#01-2353
Singapore 560529
Tel: +65 68161916
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

This post is brought to you by Twenty Grammes.

The number of cafes in Rangoon Road has grown steadily over the past years and the quaint Farrer Park neighbourhood is now home to an eclectic mix of old-school coffee shops, hipster-looking cafes and whatnot.

Icebox Cafe – one of the newer kids on the block – has come up with its version of Dominique Ansel-inspired Cookie and Milk Shots.

Icebox Cafe is Singapore’s very first halal-certified specialty bingsu cafe, but the menu features more than just Korean ice-cold treats. Indulge in sinful over-the-top shakes, tasty fluffy toasts and of course, do not leave the cafe until you have tried their lovely Cookie Shots (S$6.90) served with a choice of ice cream.

Icebox Cafe’s Cookie Shot is served on a triangular dish with a jug of milk and your preferred flavour of ice cream. The cookie cup is coated with chocolate at the rim and boasts a delightful doughy texture.

Fill the edible cup with milk and sip from it, or start nibbling on the cookie shot glass. The cookie cup is not overwhelmingly sweet and has a pleasantly mild salty aftertaste.

Admittedly, the underwhelming cookies-and-cream ice cream melted a tad too fast.

While the attention-grabbing dessert is arguably gimmicky, we have to say we actually did enjoy chomping through the thick edible chocolate chip cookie shot glass.

Besides the head-turning cookie shot, signature bingsu snow desserts and dramatic shakes, Icebox Cafe also sells a splendid selection of toasts.

Some flavours to try are the Red Velvet Toast with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese (S$9.90) and the Peanut Butter Cheesecake Toast stuffed with Chocolate Brownie (S$9.90).

Icebox Cafe
89 Rangoon Road
#01-02, Urban Lofts
Singapore 218375
Tel: +65 9155 4720
Mon to Fri: 2pm – 11pm
Sat and Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor

Opened by the folks behind the successful The Tiramisu Hero, Butter My Buns at National University of Singapore’s University Town (UTown) brings wholesome cafe fare to the West of Singapore.

This new concept – Butter My Buns (yes, it is a cheeky name) – serves D.I.Y all-day breakfast sets, waffles and more.

The cafe is located beside Book Haven in Stephen Riady Centre and it can be quite hard to locate if you are not familiar with NUS. For those of you who are taking the shuttle bus in, stop at University Town and walk towards your right all the way to the building, then take the walk down the stairs. Butter My Buns faces the central field.

The prices here are very reasonable to cater to the students and you really get a bang for your buck. We picked out a savoury and a sweet option for variety’s sake.

The Honey Truffle Waffles (S$12) and BMB Breakfast (Cheese Sausage S$3, Scrambled Eggs S$3, Pasta Salad S$2.50) sure made our tummies really happy.

The waffles might look ordinary and simple, but it was both crunchy and fluffy. What stood out for us, was the truffle taste and fragrance which was well-balanced with the rest of the components of the dish.

It is definitely worth it to travel all the way here just for this sweet treat!

Other desserts include a series of Korean Bingsu (the most expensive is only S$7!), and sweet crepes.

The BMB Breakfast is a mix-and-match breakfast item where you choose your favourite ingredients and put together a breakfast of your desire. We picked the cheese sausage, scrambled eggs and pasta salad.

It was tasty but it lacked something – some X-factor of sorts. That said, it is still something simple and hearty. Perhaps we got the combination wrong!

Otherwise, try the Bastard Bun (S$3.50). Said to be one of the star dishes on the menu, it is essentially a hot dog with with a Bastard sauce – basil + mustard. Yup, Bastard.

Butter My Buns
2 College Avenue West Stephen Riady Centre
#01-07 University Town
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Singapore 138607
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Kent Ridge

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?

If you are exploring the Bras Basah and Bugis districts, you might want to join in the artsy-fartsy crowd and head over to the first container cafe in Singapore – yes, you heard us right! Situated at DECK, Snowy Village offers a noteworthy selection of Bingsu in an unusual container setting. A good dessert never hurts, right?

The container cafe holds approximately 12 seatings – one of the smallest Bingsu establishments that we have chanced upon so far, but it does make up for the lack of room with a homey space that is unique to its own. There is also an enchanting Alfresco dining area that is beautifully adorned with oil barrels and vines.

Other than Bingsu, Snowy Village has a menu of beverages and Korean sides.

Their signature Injeolmi Bingsu (S$12) enhances the conventional Korean dessert with a mixture of toppings such as Green Tea and Black Sesame mochi, peanut shavings and rice cakes. The soft and smooth ice shavings were a delight to savour, accompanied with a dose of condensed milk if you are keen on sweetening up your Bingsu.

Then, there is the Mango Bingsu (S$12.90) that comes with generous chunks of sweet mango atop finely shaved iced, and topped with condensed milk and mango syrup.

Some serious Bingsu feast awaits here at Snowy Village, indeed.

Snowy Village
120 Prinsep Street
Singapore 187937
Tel: +65 8822 1702
Daily: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Bugis or Dhoby Ghaut

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best Bingsu in Singapore.

Bingsu is a popular Korean dessert which first started with ingredients primarily comprising of ice shavings, condensed milk, Korean rice cake and occasionally topped off with dollops of red bean or other similar fillings.

We can now find various renditions of this Korean dessert with toppings such as fruits, ice cream and even cheesecakes to suit the taste buds of many. This simple yet genius creation has captured the hearts of many Singaporeans, crowned as the perfect solution to bring the heat down.

That said, we have combined a list of the 8 Korean Bingsu in Singapore You Must Try. It is highly advisable to drag your friends or loved ones with you because the servings are usually huge, and more importantly, we believe that the best things in life should be shared.

#1 BING GO JUNG DESSERT HOUSE

Located at Guillemard Village, Bing Go Jung is one of the first Bingsu cafes to arrive in Singapore. This dessert house has since set the trend of serving authentic Korean Bingsu that will do the hype justice.

Their Injeolmi Bingsu (S$11) remains the best seller with finely shaved ice topped with soy powder, Korean rice cake, almond slices, and comes with an additional serving condensed milk – a dessert experience you will not and may never want to forget.

102 Guillemard Road, #01-01
Singapore 339719
Tel: +65 6440 5509
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Mountbatten

#2 CHICK N KEN

Other than serving mouth-watering Korean Fried Chicken, Chick and Ken also serves up beautiful bowls of Bingsu with a twist – the syrup comes in syringes, so that you can add in as much as you like, depending on your preferred levels of sweetness.

The Korean ice shavings here at Chick and Ken are coarser with slight similarities to our local Ice Kachang. We suggest you opt for their Cha-Yen Bingsu (S$12.90), an amalgamation of Thai and Korean flavours with honeyed Cornflakes, homemade Red Rubies and Thai Tea Agar.

Raffles Park
21 Lorong Telok
Singapore 049033
Tel: +65 9150 7257
Mon to Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Closed on Sunday
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#3 CAFE INSADONG

Finally, a cafe in Singapore that serves Bingsu affordably priced less than S$10! Even though prices are slightly cheaper, Cafe Insadong is always more than generous with their serving portions. Many people flock to the cafe for their famed Sweet Potato Patbingsu (S$9.80) with rice cakes sufficiently stuffed with sweet bean paste, sugared nuts and sweet potato mash to accompany the ice shavings. We have to say this bowl is a pretty photogenic one, huh?

279 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058828
Tel: +65 8533 2003
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 9:30pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 11:30pm
Closed on Sunday
Nearest Station: Chinatown

#4 NUNSONGYEE

This is undoubtedly one of the best Bingsu cafes in Singapore. Also known as “snowflake” in Korean, Nunsongyee has literally lived up to its name with their thinly shaved ice which has beckoned patrons to go back for more. Some of the signature Bingsus include their Black Sesame Bingsu (S$18.90) with black sesame powder, almond flakes, red bean paste and topped with Korean rice cakes which piqued our interests with its wondrous melt of flavours.

45 Burghley Drive, #01-04
Singapore 559022
Tue to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat: 10am – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Closed on Monday
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan

#5 NUNSARAM KOREAN DESSERT CAFE

If you are heading to town, do swing by Nunsaram. Conveniently located at Orchard Central, it prides itself as the go-to cafe for desserts or simply a place where friends can hang out after a meal.

Most of the Bingsu in the cafe are presented with a scoop of ice cream sitting glamorously atop the pile of ice. We heard that they use fresh ingredients for every serving of Bingsu – such as the Sweet Potato Bingsu (S$12.90), where the purple paste is acquired from the sweet potato root itself.

Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road, #05-51/52
Singapore 238896
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#6 O’MA SPOON

Oma Spoon is a clear winner for us. Having their Bingsu was akin to eating snowflakes with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that all of us approved. Their Patbingsu (S$12.80) did the phrase “less is more” justice. We were in awe of how a classic Bingsu that was served in just sweet azuki beans atop milk ice shavings could rock our worlds with its heavenly medley of textures and flavours.

Somerset 313
313 Orchard Road, #04-20/32
Singapore 238895
Daily: 11am – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#7 SNOWMAN DESSERTS

The Bingsu at Snowman Desserts are bound to catch your attention, with highlights such as their Melon Bowl Bingsu (S$14), that is served beautifully in a melon bowl with finely carved balls of fruits, then topped with a delicious soft serve ice cream and condensed milk served on the side. We suggest you pour the condensed milk with discretion as it might get a little cloying for some.

Serangoon NEX
23 Serangoon Central, #02-04
Singapore 556083
Tel: +65 6634 4608
Daily: 11:30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

#8 TOMS N TOMS

Toms and Toms is a Korean coffee chain tucked at the secluded premises of Tanjong Pagar, with K-pop tracks playing all day long and caring Korean staff waiting on you. Their Yoghurt Cheesecake Bingsu (S$12.80) had an interesting fusion of flavours, with cheesecake toppings and delicate yoghurt ice flakes melting almost immediately in our mouths. The cafe opens as early as 7am, and also offers Free WiFi – much to our delight.

Icon Village
12 Gopeng Street
Singapore 078877
Tel: +65 6225 6313
Daily: 7am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

About the writer:
Cassandra is a staff writer for ladyironchef. During her free time, she fuels her passion for fashion through shopping and indulges in all things food. She loves anything egg related and is always ready for a cafe-hopping adventure.