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Chinese desserts are having a bit of a moment right now. And no, we're not talking about the usual suspects like shaved ice or mango pomelo sago that were all the rage in the 2010s. Instead, we're seeing new trends like herbal-flavoured ice cream, warm, silky nut pastes making a comeback, chewy mochi balls stuffed with taro paste and even claypot teas that look like they're plucked out of a walking street in China. But if you don't already have a plane ticket booked, we have a few suggestions for where to get your Chinese dessert fix in Singapore. From a TCM-inspired ice cream bar to a bustling café in Orchard and a viral claypot tea spot in Farrer Park, here are all the places to save and share with your friends.
RECOMMENDED: The best traditional Chinese dessert shops in Singapore and The best Chinese restaurants in Singapore
1. Synthesis
Familiar ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine find their way into ice creams and sorbets at this unique dessert stand in Suntec City. Synthesis is located right outside Exit C of Promenade MRT Station, hidden in plain sight. Fashioned to look just like a TCM hall from the 80s, you'll spot rows and rows of shelves, jars, and even a display of common dried roots and medicinal ingredients. But what you're here for is the ten refreshing ice cream flavours, ranging from $6 per cup to $7 per cup, or from $10 to $12 for two scoops. Sampling is allowed, but if you are spoilt for choice, try the five signature flavours: red date longan, hawthorn acai berry, chrysanthemum tea with candied ginseng, wintermelon barley and orange peel vanilla.
Our top pick is the seasonal honey osmanthus with candied ginseng sorbet ($7 per cup) – icy, refreshing and just the right amount of sweet – followed by the wintermelon barley ($7 per cup), another seasonal flavour which combines two nostalgic drinks into one dessert. The hawthorn acai berry ($7 per cup) is another interesting pick. Imagine haw flakes – a quintessential Singaporean childhood snack – blended into an acai bowl. The flavours go surprisingly well together, but can get a tad cloying after a while. While you're there, you might as well check out what lies behind the TCM hall. Once the door opens, you'll be transported into a neon-lit restaurant and bar, serving up modern Chinese dishes and cocktails, from Hakka suan pan zi (abacus seeds) and pao fan to creative cocktails made with TCM ingredients.
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City Tower 4, #01-643, Singapore 038983
Opening hours: Daily 11.30am-2pm; 4pm-10.30pm
Website
2. Chan Susu
Ditch the snaking queues at Molly Tea or Yochi and indulge in desserts from Chan Susu instead. This new Chinese café at Orchard Gateway is ideal for a midday pit stop in between a shopping spree, or for a post-dinner dessert run – the shop is open until 11pm, which is slightly later than most dessert spots around the area. The menu is pretty varied, with over 40 items, including traditional desserts like warm nut pastes as well as more modern shaved ice bowls with a variety of toppings. You can even grab a full meal here if you so wish – there are six mains to choose from, including scallion oil noodles at just $4.90 or the fried noodles with shrimp ($8.90), as well as snacks like lemon chicken wings ($7.90 for four pieces) or pork belly and cheese sandwich ($8.90).
The highlights, of course, are the desserts. We dig into the signature handmade lava taro balls grand bowl ($8.90), served cold as recommended, though you can indicate if you'd like it warm or at room temperature. It comes with black glutinous rice, grass jelly, red beans, peach gum and of course, chewy taro balls stuffed with taro paste. Pour the fresh milk over, mix and enjoy it together. Another must-order is the mango pomelo sago ($7.60), which comes with a generous serving of mango paste, fresh cubed mangoes as well as pomelo and grapefruit pulp. The pistachio paste ($8.60), durian chendol ($7.80), pandan lava French toast ($7.60) and sea salt fresh mango and green grape milky snow bowl ($12.80) also come highly recommended.
Address: 277 Orchard Road, Orchard Gateway, #01-10, Singapore 238858
Opening hours: Daily 11am-11pm
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3. Lantine
If you've been to China in recent months, you would have noticed the claypot milk tea trend, which has dominated every walking street and tourist hotspot. Lantine opened in January last year along Rangoon Road – a stone's throw away from our favourite bak kut teh stall, Ng Ah Sio – but this unassuming café has already created quite the stir on social media, for its picture-worthy rock tea roasted milk tea ($13.90) served in a claypot. The drink can be shared among two to three people, and features roasted oolong from the Wuyi mountains, infused with flowers, red dates and other nourishing ingredients. While the rock tea has a stronger, smokier profile, those who prefer a more delicate aroma can go for the peach oolong option instead. The pots are also constantly kept warm over a flame – perfect for sipping and enjoying slowly.
Lantine's taro mochi ($6.90) is another must-try. The unsweetened taro paste will have your grandma nodding in approval, and the bowl is crowned with soft mochi balls, mini taro balls and sweet potato balls that are freshly made each day. But you absolutely can't miss the fluffy soufflé pancakes, which come in various flavours like strawberry ($16), taro ($15), matcha red bean and more. Do note that these take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to prepare, as the pancakes are made to order. Tip: You can also bring your furbabies along – the café's outdoor seating area is pet-friendly.
Address: 103 Rangoon Rd, Rangoon Court, #01-01, Singapore 218386
Opening hours: Sun-Thu noon-10.30pm; Fri-Sat noon-11pm
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