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

Singapore is known to be a paradise for foodies due to the plethora of cuisines available and we’re proud to call this place home. Traditional snacks tend to get overshadowed by more popular foods but there’s something about them being so simple that we love.

Old is gold; these snacks are comforting and really brings us back to our younger days. Here are 8 traditional snacks that we love and will definitely make you nostalgic.

#1 EGG TARTS

Buttery and crispy on the outside and smooth eggy custard on the inside, you can find this delectable snack at most old-school bakeries. Some prefer a flaky crust, some prefer a more solid crust and some prefer bite-sized ones, some prefer larger ones. But we can all agree that egg tarts are best eaten when popped in the oven and served warm.

#2 KAYA TOAST

A local breakfast favourite, something about traditional bread toasted to perfection with a layer of kaya and a thick slice of butter just makes it so satisfying. It’s phenomenal when dipped in half-boiled eggs. Sweet and salty, you really can’t go wrong with this combination. Name a more iconic duo, we’ll wait.

#3 MIN CHIANG KUEH

Hokkien for peanut pancakes, sink your teeth into these Chinese-style pancakes that are crispy yet fluffy and generously filled with crushed peanuts and sugar. Some stalls also do a thinner and crispier version that is equally as tasty. For the busy bees, min chiang kueh is a popular option for breakfast on the go.

#4 NONYA KUEH

These bite-sized Peranakan treats – affectionately known as nonya kueh – are a staple in Peranakan cuisine. Popular with all generations, most kuehs have a chewy texture and contain coconut, pandan or gula melaka. Our favourite kueh growing up has undoubtedly got to be kueh lapis. Probably the most colourful kueh, it was and still is a joy peeling and eating this layer by layer.

#5 POPIAH

“Thin pancake” in Teochew, popiah is enjoyed by many. Stewed vegetables, egg, prawns, peanuts are wrapped in paper-thin skin that slathered with some garlic paste and sweet sauce. What you get is a humble and not to mention affordable traditional snack that is filling enough to make a meal.

#6 PUTU PIRING

We can’t get enough of these handmade Malay snacks that were featured in the Singapore episode of Netflix’s Street Food. Essentially steamed rice flour cakes, these warm pillowy treats ooze with gula melaka and are topped with loads of shredded coconut. This is one traditional snack that is loved by both adults and children alike.

#7 TEOCHEW KUEH

Contrary to nonya kueh which tends to be sweet, Teochew kueh such as png kueh, soon kueh and chwee kueh is savoury and equally as yummy. Packed with a generous amount of various vegetables and encased in thin, chewy rice skin, there are still several stalls specializing in these traditional snacks.

#8 YOU TIAO

This classic breakfast staple is a good example of less is more. Simply stretched dough sticks that are deep fried till golden brown, it’s crispy on the outside but airy and chewy on the inside. There’s nothing better than you tiao fresh out of the fryer and a cup of kopi or soybean milk to start the day.

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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

Few things in life satisfy as much as the Kaya Toast—a traditional Singapore-style breakfast. It has undoubtedly become a staple for many Singaporeans since generations ago, and today, it is still widely loved.

We enjoy the old-school fare in various ways—dipping it in soft boiled egg, coffee, or just having it on its own. Very often, it is also paired with a set meal of two soft boiled eggs and your choice of coffee or tea.

You can find renditions of this dish almost everywhere you go, and to get you started, here are 11 Best Kaya Toasts In Singapore.

#1 YA KUN

Ya Kun is one of the most frequented coffee stalls in Singapore, with its history dating back to the early 1940s.

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
1 Harbourfront Walk, #B2-26, Vivo City
Singapore 099253
Tel: +65 6225 5789
Sun to Thu: 8.15am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 8.15am – 10.30pm
Nearest MRT: HarbourFront

#2 FUN TOAST

Fun Toast was originally Kheng Nam Hong, a coffee house widely known by the early residents of Telok Ayer Street. It has since rebranded to a fun-loving label where the younger generations of Singaporeans can better relate to.

One of their signatures includes the Kaya Butter Soft Bun set (S$5.20) 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
Citylink Mall, 1 Raffles Link, #B1-04, Singapore 039393
Tel: +65 6533 1233
Mon to Thu: 7am – 8.30pm
Fri: 7am – 9.30pm
Sat: 8am – 9.30pm
Sun & PH: 8am – 8.30pm
Nearest MRT: City Hall

#3 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 (S$2.40 for 2 slices), 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
Mon, Wed to Sat: 6am – 10pm
Sun, Tue & PH: 6am – 6pm
Nearest MRT: Somerset

#4 TOAST BOX

Established under 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 (S$1.70 per slice). Other standouts from the menu 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
Daily: 7am – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Ang Mo Kio

#5 OLD TOWN WHITE COFFEE

Though the food at Old Town White Coffee is slightly pricier, their Kaya Toast (S$1.60 per slice) is still worth a shot.

Originating from Malaysia, this franchise is now a familiar name in Singapore too. Patrons visit them for fragrant white coffee and an array of simple but delectable local fares.

Old Town White Coffee
180 Kitchener Road
#B1-31/32 City Square Mall
Singapore 208539
Tel: +65 6509 8355
Daily: 9am – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Farrer Park

#6 KAFFE & TOAST

Being the halal subsidiary of Coffee & Toast, Kaffe & Toast offers Kaya Toast at S$1.80 per serving. 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
Singapore General Hospital (SGH), 4 Hospital Drive, Level 1, Singapore 169608
Tel: +65 6221 0136
Mon to Fri: 7am – 8pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 8am – 5pm
Nearest MRT: Outram Park

#7 TONG AH EATING HOUSE 

Known for its rich history since the 1930s, Tong Ah has since moved a few doors from its original location to reside in the same space as Potato Head Folk.

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. Their formula? Toasting it thrice before scraping off the charred parts using a condensed milk lid.

Tong Ah Eating House
35 Keong Siak Road, Singapore 089143
Tel: +65 6223 5083
Daily: 7am – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Outram Park

#8 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
Mon to Sat: 8am – 9:30pm
Sun & PH: 9.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest MRT: Somerset

#9 GOOD MORNING NANYANG CAFE

The kaya toast (S$1.60) at Good Morning Nanyang Cafe is really unique. Their kaya spread is freshly made in-house, following the recipes of a man from Segamat; so rich, luscious and subtly sweet. But this is what sets them apart from the rest—they use ciabatta instead of regular white bread.

Other toast selections include the Orange Ciabatta set, with caramelised orange peel added to bring about a robust element in the toast.

Good Morning Nanyang Cafe
Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, #02-03, Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 9650 3256
Daily: 8.30am - 8.30pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest MRT: Orchard

#10 HILL STREET COFFEE SHOP

Hill Street Coffee Shop evokes a sense of nostalgia that is hard to beat.

Their Kaya Toast (S$2.50) spots a different execution with the replacement of steamed bread—and we love it so much. 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
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Bayfront

#11 TOAST HUT

One of our favourites in this list, Toast Hut is a place that is worth all the hype and crazy queues. The owner heads over to the stall at 4am every morning to prepare for the opening of the stall so patrons can get their coffee-fix as early as 6.30am in the morning!

Their Kaya Butter Toast (S$1.60 for 4 pcs, S$3.00 for a set) goes extremely well with the aromatic and fragrant coffee.

Toast Hut
51 Old Airport Road #01-52
Old Airport Road Food Centre
Singapore 390051
Daily: 6.30am – 1.30pm
Nearest Station: Dakota

Two Wheels Good is a bicycle-themed café sitting in between Boon Lay MRT station and Jurong Point.

With Hong Kong BBQ, Teochew Mee, local beverages, Kaya Toast and even booze on their menu, it is certainly a nice fusion of both traditional and western.

If you are a frequent biker or have your weekends reserved for bike-riding, do drop by this cosy café to purchase some bicycle accessories or just a hearty breakfast if bike-riding is not quite up your alley.

Two Wheels Good has a pretty inviting exterior. And you wouldn’t even think that from a cafe that looks like that, you’d be able to enjoy typical Asian-style dishes.

We were charmed by the café’s ambience and the staff’s affable disposition as soon as we stepped inside.

There is a corner filled with bicycle accessories as well as a display of local snacks and delights available for sale.

Lunch was Kaya Toast Set (S$3.90), Black Carrot Cake (S$4.50) and Teochew Mee Pok (S$4.50) for us. The fare at Two Wheels Good is very reasonably priced and arrived in sizable portions.

The Teochew Noodle is one of the café’s specialities; albeit nothing extraordinary, the generous portion did its job to keep us full.

The Kaya Toast Set includes two toasts, two half-boiled eggs and one beverage of your choice. We were pleased to say that our Kaya Toast went perfectly with our cup of piping, hot teh and half-boiled eggs.

The seasoning and sweetness of this savoury Black Carrot Cake hit all the right levels.

Two Wheels Good (Ka Ki Nang)
#01-94/97
63 Jurong West Central 3
Daily: 7am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Boon Lay

Previously located in the iconic red and white building, Tong Ah Eating House has relocated a few units farther down Keong Saik Road. The traditional coffee shop has been around since 1939 and has gained recognition for its crispy 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 toasts.

It is surely a treasure of Singapore.

Tong Ah Eating House uses the traditional round tables which are ideal for big groups and families. Although you can choose to sit outside, it is much cooler indoors as there are fans. You can also watch the staff in action as they toast your bread.

Everyone goes there for the Traditional Kaya Toast (S$4.90) which comes with kaya toast, two soft-boiled eggs and a drink. Toasted till it was slightly charred, the kaya toast was extremely crispy with a smoky taste. Just like what we expected, the melted butter and handmade kaya is a lovely combination.

Of course, we all know that kaya toast is best paired with soft-boiled eggs! Add in some pepper and a dash of soy sauce to taste and dip the crispy toast in.

Tong Ah Eating House also serves Crispy Thin Toast Kaya, French Toast with Kaya and Steamed Bread with Kaya (S$4.90).

Will you visit Tong Ah Eating House soon?

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

Kaya toast and eggs is the nation’ favourite breakfast combination. Together with an aromatic cup of local-style coffee or tea – or what we affectionately call kopi or teh – it is the simplest form of comfort food and one that we will never get sick of.

Whenever we dine at YaKun or Toast Box, we’d wish for an operator to reinvent the environment of a toast-and-eggs joint with a modern and cafe-like take. So when we heard about La’ Coffee - located next to Old Hen Coffee Bar in the Rangoon Road neighbourhood - we headed down on its first week of operation to check them out.

La’ Coffee is not your usual kaya toast places like Yakun and Toastbox; it is quite essentially a modern café that focuses on old school snacks such as traditional bread like Kaya Toast (S$3.50), Butter Sugar Toast (S$3.50); traditional coffee and tea (S$3.50 – S$4) – Teh, Teh O, Kopi C, Kopi O – as well as Asian snacks like Yam Cake (S$4) and Chee Cheong Fun (S$4). You can opt for the Combo Set (S$8.50) which comes with toast, half boiled eggs and coffee/tea.

Actually, La’ Coffee is a really good concept, but it could have been more well-executed if more thoughts were put into the designing of the place, as well as the little details like its music and choice of furniture.

Nonetheless, it is one new kid to check out. Prices are naturally higher than your usual kaya toast places, but what you get in return is a different café experience – think of having traditional coffee in a clean and comfortable modern spot.

La’ Coffee
88 Rangoon Road #01-02
Tel: +65 6341 7525
Mon to Thu: 8am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 1am
Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

Breakfast is always a motivation to get out of bed, especially for weekends. While brunch is arguably Singaporean’s favourite meal of the day, and while I like my eggs, French toast and pancakes, I also love going to the hawker centres in the suburbs and neighbourhood for my local breakfast fix. In Singapore, we are really spoiled for choices when it comes to cheap and good hawker food.

Here are 7 of the cheapest Singapore’s local hawker breakfast options.

Kaya Toast

Old-schol bread toasted over traditional charcoal grill, with a generous spread of kaya (with soft-boiled eggs and a cup of kopi (coffee) is the quintessential Singaporean breakfast. This is probably the simplest, yet most satisfying and local breakfast cannot get any better than this. Most coffee shops serve a set for under S$2.50.

Carrot Cake

One of my favourite hawker food is Carrot Cake, also known as Chai Tow Kway. Not to be mistaken with the Western dessert, Singapore’s rendition is stir-fried radish cake with eggs, and it comes in either white or black (sweet soy sauce).

Chee Cheong Fun

Chee Cheong Fun is a Chinese dish of thin rice noodle roll which comes with a variety of fillings – like shrimp, char siew and beef. Or you can opt for the plain ones, which is doused in either sweet or chilli sauce, and topped with sesame seeds.

Chwee Kueh

Chwee Kueh, a type of steamed rice cake topped with diced preserved radish, is another popular local breakfast in Singapore. You can get a packet of four Chwee Kueh for S$1.20.

Economic Bee Hoon

This is one of the cheapest hawker breakfast. You can usually get a plate of economic bee hoon with one topping like fried egg or luncheon meat for S$2. It is affordable and very satisfying.

Nasi Lemak

There is the kind where you get to choose from an array of dishes and they charge accordingly, and there is the simplified breakfast version that is pre-packed in banana leaf with an assortment of ingredients, usually a generous serving of the fragrant rice that is cooked in coconut milk, together with roasted peanuts, deep-fried anchovies, fish and egg – all for under S$2.

Roti Prata

Another iconic Singapore breakfast staple is Roti Prata – an Indian flour-based pancake which comes with different fillings like cheese, onion, mushroom or egg. An Roti Prata ‘Kosong’ (no fillings) is less than S$1. Most people eat the prata by dipping it with curry, but we prefer to have it with sugar.

Singapore is a foodie paradise. It is not exaggerating to say that eating is part of the Singapore Spirit. Since we will be celebrating National day in a month’s time, I thought it would be nice to write about some of the must-eats in Singapore.

Here’s my list of 10 Things to Eat in Singapore.

For first time visitors, it is a must to try all the popular hawker food from places like Chomp Chomp Hawker Centre and Old Airport Road Market. If you are willing to spend more on food, Singapore has many excellent fine dining restaurants, like Les Amis and Iggy’s. And of course, we mustn’t forget about the Celebrity Chefs Restaurants like Waku Ghin, Santi, CUT at the swanky Marina Bay Sands; Osia and L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon at Resorts World Sentosa.

However, I’ll not be including Singapore’s best restaurants in this post. Instead, I want to share about some of the food that I miss whenever I am out of town. For non-food recommendations, please read my list of 10 Things to do in Singapore.

Chicken Rice

If you ask around which is the most famous Singapore food, chances are, people will reply with either chilli crab or chicken rice.

Amongst the many good chicken rice stalls in Singapore, I’d suggest going to either Tian Tian Hainanese chicken rice or Boon Tong Kee. I like Tian Tian’s chicken rice, but I hate the queue. If you are lazy to queue like me, go to Maxwell market before or after lunch hour. Tian Tian is definitely one of the best chicken rice in Singapore.

Boon Tong Kee, on the other hand, is a tricky one. Many people would argue that it is a commercialised restaurant, and there are probably lots of places that have better chicken rice. Let me explain. With six branches around the island, Boon Tong Kee is much more accessible, and you can have your chicken rice in a clean environment (not everyone is willing to brave the heat in hawker centre). It is a relatively safe option to bring your overseas visitors there for their first taste of our famous Singapore chicken rice.

Boon Tong Kee
425 River Valley Road
Tel: +65 6736 3213

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Maxwell Road #01-10 Maxwell Food Centre

Chilli Crab

As mentioned, Chilli Crab is probably the most famous Singapore food. It is the face of Singapore Cuisine, the must-try food for tourists. You cannot visit Singapore without having Chili Crab. There are many Chinese seafood restaurants in Singapore serving this popular dish, but my favourite is No Signboard at Geylang.

Fresh meaty crabs in a spicy-sweet chili sauce with deep-fried mantou – this is one of the most satisfying experiences in life.

No Signboard Seafood
414 Geylang Road
Tel: +65 6842 3415

Kaya Toast

Kaya is a coconut jam made from coconut milk, eggs which are flavoured by pandan leaf and sweetened with sugar. It is easily one of the best jam spread ever created.

Spread the kaya on the toast with a generous slab of butter – this is a very delicious thing for breakfast, tea, or supper. All you need is kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs and a cup of coffee. This is the best local breakfast.

Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
204 East Coast Road Singapore

Ya Kun Kaya Toast Singapore
18 China Street #01-01
Far East Square Singapore
Tel: +65 6438 3638

Tropical Fruits

There are plenty of tropical fruits to eat in Singapore, so it is a good idea to head to the markets if you are not from the region. Some of the must-try fruits are: rambutans, mangosteen, longan, lychee, durian, and mango.

Even though I hate durian, I think it’s a pretty cool experience to visit Geylang and sit by the roadside to try the king of fruits.

Fish Head Curry

Fish Head Curry is a dish created by Singapore’s Malayalee. Cooked in a hot and spicy Indian curry, the large fish head is usually eaten with white rice or bread. Try the one from Muthu’s Curry at Race Course road.

Muthu’s Curry
138 Race Course Road #01-01 Singapore
Tel: +65 6392 1722

Laksa

Laksa has a rich coconut-based curry soup with rice noodles alongside ingredients like cockles, shrimp, tau pok and fish cake.

The first time I had a bowl of laksa (many years ago) was a total revelation. It was like taking a plane for the first time; the first sip of champagne, or having the first ever taste of foie gras. It was something very special.

Without a doubt, Laksa is one of the Singapore’s must-eats.

328 Katong Laksa
51 East Coast Road Singapore
Tel: +65 9732 8163

Zi Char

Zi Char (also known as Zhi Char/Cze Char/Tze Char) is a Chinese stall (in a coffee shop) that serves a variety of ala carte dishes at affordable prices. Different ‘restaurants’ have their own unique signature dishes, but a typical zi char place will usually has the following: meat items – pork ribs, har cheong gai ($8 – $20); vegetables – sambal kangkong, kailan ($6 – $12), side dishes – beancurd, noodles, rice ($4 – $20) ; and seafood – prawn, fish, crabs ($15 upwards).

There are many good zi char places in Singapore, but I’d recommend Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon (for har cheong gai), Keng Eng Kee Seafood and for a slightly more upmarket option, Ming Kee Live Seafood.

Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon
Jumbo Coffee Hub
Blk 19A Dover Crescent

Keng Eng Kee Seafood
Blk 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1
#01-136 Alexandra Village Singapore
Tel: +65 6272 1038

Ming kee Live Seafood
556 Macpherson Road Singapore
Tel: +65 6747 4075

Peranakan Cuisine

Peranakan Cuisine, also known as Nyonya food, is the result of blending Chinese ingredients and wok cooking techniques with spices used by the Malay/Indonesian community. There are plenty of Peranakan restaurants in Singapore serving fantastic nyonya food, you can check out the fairly new Candlenut Kitchen by Malcolm lee – one of the up and coming chefs in Singapore; and Ivin’s – a popular and no frills place for families to have dinner.

Candlenut Kitchen
25 Neil Road Singapore
Tel: +65 6226 2506

Ivin’s
19 Binjai Park Singapore
Tel: +65 6468 3060

Dim Sum

Hong Kong might be the land of dim sum, but I feel that some restaurants in Singapore serve very good dim sum too. I’m sure everyone knows by now: my favourite dim sum restaurants in Singapore are Royal China at Raffles Hotel, Yanting Restaurant at St Regis, and Taste Paradise at Ion Orchard.

Royal China
1 Beach Road
#03-09 Raffles Hotel
Tel: +65 6338 3363

Taste Paradise Ion Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#04-07 ION Orchard
Tel: +65 6509 9660

Yan Ting Restaurant
29 Tanglin Road
The St Regis
Tel: +65 6506 6888

Char Kway Teow

“What food do you miss the most when you are away from Singapore?”

This is a simple question. My answer is definitely Char Kway Teow. The stir-fried noodle is artery clogging, but it is very, very tasty! For me, the best char kway teow in Singapore will be the one from Zion Road. You MUST EAT it!

No 18 Zion Road Fried Kway Teow
Zion Road Riverside Food Centre

I wrote this list of 10 Things to eat in Singapore for the NDP 2011 Official Website, but this is not a sponsored blog post and I have not received any monetary benefits in return. That said, I got two tickets to the NDP preview and I’ll be writing a second post to share more about the Singapore spirit during the parade.

Besides all the good food, what do you think defines the Singapore spirit? Share your thoughts at the NDP website and NDPeeps Facebook page!

Kaya toast is one of Singapore’s most popular local breakfast items. It goes without saying that there are many different places serving it. Besides Kaya toast chains like Ya Kun, Killiney Kopitiam, and Toast Box, we also have the old school coffee shops like Chin Mee Chin.

I am not sure if you have heard of Good Morning Nanyang Cafe, but their kaya toast is definitely worth trying, especially if you are working in the Central Business District.

Good Morning Nanyang Cafe differentiates itself from the other competitors with its signature Orange Ciabatta kaya toast.

We were at Good Morning Nanyang Cafe for afternoon tea, so we decided to share a set of the traditional kaya toast and the normal Ciabatta kaya toast. If you are not a fan of the traditional toasted bread, the ciabatta is a pretty good alternative. For me, I don’t really care about the bread, it is merely a vehicle for the kaya and butter.

I’d think that a cup of traditional kopi is definitely one of the must-try things in Singapore. Where else can you get such a good cup of coffee at just under $2? I have friends telling me that Good Morning Nanyang Cafe serves the best kopi in Singapore, so be sure to have a cup when you are there.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and there is really nothing like a cup of kopi, kaya toast and soft-boiled eggs to start your day.

Drop by Good Morning Nanyang Cafe to have a good breakfast before going to work. Otherwise, you can always have kaya toast for lunch if you don’t feel like having a heavy meal.

Singapore Food Blog Review

Good Morning Nanyang Cafe133 New Bridge Road
#03-01 Chinatown Point Singapore
Tel: +65 8133 1882
Operating Hours:
Mon to Fri: 8am – 7pm
Sat: 10.30am – 6pm

108 Robinson Road #01-00
Operating Hours:
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 7.00pm

Chin Mee Chin confectionery at East Coast Road is one of the few old-school coffee shops left in Singapore. I’m sure most of you are familiar with Chin Mee Chin (CMC) since many of the Singapore Food Blogs have written on them before. In many ways, CMC reminds me of the popular Yut Kee in Kuala Lumpur.

Sometimes, I think we take Kaya Toast for granted. This humble breakfast food is simple, yet so delicious, and it is often overlooked because it is so common in Singapore. From places like Ya Kun Kaya Toast, Killiney, Good Morning Nanyang Cafe, to the local coffee shops – good kaya toasts are everywhere in Singapore.

I have friends who always stock up on their kaya supply whenever they go overseas for work or study, we should be grateful that it is so easy for us to get kaya toast in Singapore.

This, shall be my excuse to eat more kaya toast.

At Chin Mee Chin Bakery, local coffee, kaya toast and homemade cakes are the stars. There are many supporters of the round buns (instead of the normal toast), and the not-too-sweet kaya from this old school coffee shop. Together with butter, it is the perfect snack for breakfast or afternoon tea.

When it comes to soft-boiled eggs, I think it is an acquired taste. It’s either you love the runny eggs, or hate the raw taste.

Feast your eyes with the perfect runny eggs – they are so gorgeous! With a cup of coffee/tea, two half boiled eggs and kaya toast, this is the best breakfast you can get in Singapore.

How to eat soft-boiled eggs?

Step 1: Sprinkle some pepper and pour an adequate amount of light sauce (depending on personal preference). Step 2: Dip the kaya toast into the soft-boiled eggs and once you are satisfied, it’s time to finish the remaining eggs. Step 3: Slurp down the eggs and feel them rush down your throat.

Chin Mei Chin is packed all the time, and some of the popular items like the custard puffs and sugee cakes are usually sold out quite early. I’d think that Chin Mee Chin is definitely one of the places that you should bring overseas visitors to, and if you have not been there before, it’s time to make a trip to East Coast road.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
204 East Coast Road Singapore
Tue–Sun: 8am – 4.30pm
(Closed on Mondays)

My idea of a good breakfast is something like this: start with a bowl of cereal with milk, and proceed on with a scrumptious big breakfast of eggs, ham, sausages, bacon, grilled tomato and sauteed mushrooms. On some days, I’d prefer to have the delightful eggs benedict, accompanied by a stack of pancakes with lots of syrup. Breakfast, like what they say, is the most important meal of the day.

But there are times where I don’t really fancy the English breakfast. Sometimes, all I want is a cup of kopi, two half boiled eggs, and my favorite kaya butter toast. And I usually have the famous Ya Kun Kaya Toast.

Forget about cereal, or eggs benedict, or pancakes, the local Singapore’s Breakfast is Kaya toast and half boiled egg with a cup of coffee.

Some people dislike the raw taste of the half boiled eggs. The key, I think, is to be brave with the soy sauce and white pepper. This is the time to tilt the bottle and pour. Sprinkle the desired amount of soy sauce and pepper. Stir and mix everything well, and gulp down everything in one swift movement. If you really cannot stomach the eggs this way, try having them by dipping the kaya toast in it. I don’t know about you, but it’s quite an experience to have the watery egg (yolk and white), plus the soy sauce and the pepper, mingling inside your mouth. It seems like an experiment that only happens in the laboratory, doesn’t it?

As for the kaya toast, people usually eat them differently. Some like to dip it in the coffee, while others enjoy having them together with the half boiled eggs. Me? I like to have the kaya toast on their own. It’s a very delicious thing for breakfast, tea, or supper.

If I didn’t watch myself, I would probably order two or three portions of the delicious kaya toast. Butter and kaya make a lovely combination. But if this is not your type, try the Cheesy French Toast instead.

I’m not going to debate whether Ya Kun Kaya Toast has the best kaya toast in Singapore, not when there are also killiney kopitiam, Chin Mee Chin, Tong Ah Coffee Shop, Good Morning Nanyang Cafe among the contenders for the title. But what I do know is, Ya Kun Kaya Toast is  the most accessible with over 30 outlets in Singapore. This is particularly important if you are lazy like me. When craving strikes, I seriously doubt that I will go all the way to East Coast road for Chin Mee Chin, or Killiney just for the kaya toast.

Which is your favorite place for Kaya Toast in Singapore?

Singapore Food Review
Ya Kun Kaya Toast Singapore
18 China Street #01-01
Far East Square Singapore
Tel: +65 6438 3638