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?

That moment when the lava oozes out of a Molten Lava Cake is almost unbeatable. We are all familiar with a chocolate lava cake, served warm with a center that gushes out once you cut it open.

What most do not know is that there are so many more flavours of lava cakes out there just waiting for you to try. We picked out the bests of many to share with you the best unique lava cakes in Singapore.

From Matcha to Peanut Butter, Misugaru (Korean grain) and Mao Shan Wang - here is a list of the 10 most unique lava cakes in Singapore. Now, it is time to explore!

#1 ARTISAN BOULANGERIE CO. – RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE

This might look like the most boring or mild of the lot, but we can assure you that the cake itself is top notch. The cake did not taste overpowering with either chocolate or raspberry, and ABC managed to balance out all the flavours nicely in their Raspberry Chocolate Lava Cake (S$9). The warm cake will go perfectly alongside an iced cuppa.

118 Killiney Road
#01-01
Singapore 239555
Tel: +65 6444 8130
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#2 EAST 8 – MOLTEN LAVA PEANUT BUTTER DARK CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE

It was exciting digging into this beauty. While the cake (S$15) looked simple on the outside, molten warm peanut butter flows out magnificently upon digging in. The combination of chocolate and peanut butter is not new, but we loved how East 8 took the road less travelled and grabbed the opportunity to create this stunning lava cake.

10 Coleman Street
#01/21-22
Singapore 179809
Tel: +65 6338 8289
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 12am
Sat: 6pm- 12am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: City Hall

#3 FYR CYCENE OND DRINC – PISTACHIO LAVA CAKE

Served with pandan ice cream, this dish has all the goodness of a perfect molten lava cake, minus the richness of chocolate. Good news for those who do not like decadent cakes! The distinct flavours of cinnamon added a nice touch to the dessert and the subtle hint of pistachio was weaved in together nicely. FYR’s Pistachio Lava Cake (S$10) has kept us longing for more.

19 Boon Tat Street
01-01
Singapore 069619
Tel: +65 +65 6221 3703
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 11pm
Sat: 9am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

#4 FIVE & DIME – GOLDEN CUSTARD LAVA CAKE

Five & Dime were one of the first to hop onto the salted egg yolk bandwagon by introducing their Golden Custard Lava Cake (S$12). Anything that oozes out with salted egg yolk goodness gets our heart, and Five & Dime totally aced this dessert dish.

Five & Dime’s Golden Custard Lava Cake is listed in our guide to 18 to-die-for salted egg yolk dishes in Singapore.

297 River Valley Road
Singapore 238338
Tel: +65 9236 5002
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 10am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 12am
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#5 HAHA THAI – RED VELVET LAVA CAKE

We were surprised to see a Thai restaurant serving lava cake, let alone Red Velvet Lava Cake (S$10.80) with a side of coconut ice cream! The cake looked unnervingly red when it first reached the table, but just like any good red velvet cake, the Red Velvet was subtly sweet with a distinct chocolatey taste. The refreshing coconut ice cream cuts the richness of the cake to make it more palatable.

Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Rd, #05-29
Singapore 238873
Tel: +65 9437 0443
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#6 ICE EDGE CAFE – MAO SHAN WANG LAVA CAKE

The Mao Shan Wang Lava Cake (S$14.80) at Ice Edge Cafe shall be the Archilles’ heel for all durian lovers. The cake itself was surprisingly light and far from overwhelming. We made it even more badass with a scoop of Mao Shan Wang ice cream to be served with the lava cake. Best decision ever.

2 Kovan Road
Singapore 548008
Tel: +65 6858 5729
Daily: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Kovan

#7 OSIA – VALRHONA HOT CHOCOLATE SOUP

This simple molten lava cake is served alongside black pepper ice cream. Yes, you heard us right. Black pepper. Somehow the marriage of black pepper ice cream with a classic chocolate cake worked perfectly well. Don’t worry, it is still safe for the kids.

Resorts World Sentosa
26 Sentosa Gateway #02-140/141
Singapore 098139
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Daily: 12pm – 10.30pm
(Closed on Wednesdays)
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#8 SYNC KOREAN TAPAS BAR – MISUGARU LAVA CAKE

The Misugaru Lava Cake (S$8.90) is made up of 10 different Korean grain that bears a taste primarily made up of barley and lotus. This is probably the ‘healthiest’ tasting of the lot – significantly lighter on the palate, and nothing overly “heaty”. We love that it is topped with fruits for a kick of acidity!

12 Maju Avenue
Serangoon Garden
Singapore 556690
Tel: +65 62820612
Daily: 3pm -12am
Nearest Station: Serangoon

#9 TO-GATHER CAFE – MATCHA LAVA CAKE

Matcha has always been a popular flavour and To-gather Cafe has gained some popularity with their take on a Matcha Lava Cake (S$7.20). The matcha flavour was distinct, and it makes such a pocket-friendly option!

Blk 84 Bedok North St 4
#01-27
Singapore 460084
Tel: +65 6445 1011
Mon to Thu, Sun: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bedok

#10 VIOLET HERBS – VALRHONA CHOCOLATE FONDANT WITH TRUFFLE OIL

When you are dining at Violet Herbs, make sure to get the Valrhona Chocolate Fondant (S$16). The surprise of this dessert lies in the fact that it comes with truffle oil – an unexpected ingredient that actually makes the dessert even more fragrant.

81 Tras Street
Tanjong Pagar Conservation Area
Singapore 079020
Tel: +65 6221 3988
Mon to Sat: 11:30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.