The best National Day-themed meals and treats in Singapore

Ondeh ondeh comes reimagined as dainty teatime treats at The Marmalade Pantry. This August, the homegrown bakery has created two limited-time sweets to celebrate the nation’s birthday: ondeh ondeh cupcakes ($6), where underneath pandan frosting hides a gula Melaka-infused chocolate truffle shell; and the gula Melaka petite cake ($20) made with layers of fluffy pandan chiffon, gula Melaka, sea salt, and Chantilly cream. 

Don’t miss out on its revamped cupcakes selection as well. Choose from five new flavours ($6): pistachio raspberry rose, Japanese sencha, Boston cream, dark chocolate with cream cheese, and Jaffa chocolate. Or fall in love with improved versions of Limonata, finished with Himalayan pink salt and dehydrated lemon; cranberry lychee crowned with ruby white chocolate shards; and the hazelnut-topped chocolate cupcake. 

Order here themarmaladepantry.com.sg

Singapore is a melting pot of cultures and flavours, and it shows in Pizza Express’ locally inspired line-up. Four different pies ($26) will be available from August 2: there is the beef rendang, laksa with seafood and quail eggs, spice-scented tandoori chicken with cubes of cucumber and lashings of mint yoghurt, and the chicken satay that pairs the usual tomato base with spicy peanut sauce. 

And from August 2 to 8, enjoy 50 percent off all pick-up orders, or key in the promo code ’15OFFSPU’ for 15 percent off all takeaways. 

Order here pizzaexpresssg.oddle.me/en_SG

Can’t start the day without a cup of kopi-o? This August, cheesecake specialist Cat and the Fiddle has created a creamy treat inspired by the aromatic brew. The Singaporean Breakfast ($6.90 a slice, $52.90 for a whole cake) features vanilla sponge and cream cheese suffused with locally sourced Nanyang coffee powder for a decadent treat with notes of smoke. 

From now till August 9, enjoy 25 percent off a whole Singaporean Breakfast cake, or bring home a six-slice bundle ($27.90) that comes with kopi-o and yuan yang coffee and tea cheesecakes. 

Order here catandthefiddle.com

For this celebratory occasion, Subway Singapore has launched its very first locally inspired creation: rendang sub and pandan cookie. Both took over a year of research and development to perfect the recipe. The result: a deeply spiced and aromatic mixture – scented with spices of turmeric, ginger, garlic, desiccated coconut, tamarind, and more – that is used to flavour cubes of chicken (from $7.30) and beef (from $7.90). Top off the subs with handfuls of fresh vegetables, then round off the experience with a pandan cookie ($1.40). 

Enjoy a winning breakfast (or tea-time) treat from BreadTalk. The bakery chain has created a series of locally inspired treats – try the Kaya Marble ($2.80), where pandan dough comes twirled with kaya; or bite into the Peanut QQ ($1.60) that turns muah chee into bread form, complete with a mochi middle. For a kick of spice, the curry naan ($1.80) and dried shrimp-topped croissant ($2.20) won’t disappoint. The well-loved chendol also gets transformed – into a chilled layered cake ($9.90) with gula Melaka mousse and glazed attap seeds. 

Order here breadtalk.com.sg/shop

Throw a stay-home dim sum party with Yan. From now to the end of August, bring home a takeaway feast ($88 for four) that comes lavished with steamy parcels and hearty snacks. Lay the table with treats that include steamed laksa buns stuffed with chicken and mushroom, steamed Hainanese chicken with sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf, classic fresh prawn dumplings, wok-fried carrot cake with XO sauce, and dumplings made with pork and prawn. You’ll also want to throw in extra orders of other locally inspired snacks, with options of deep-fried satay pork spring rolls ($7.50), and pan-fried chilli crab meat buns ($9). 

Order here yan.com.sg/estore/

Gather the family and enjoy a hearty Peranakan feast, put together by The Lobby Lounge at Shangri-la Singapore. At 128, the set for four comes with a DIY popiah kit, fish maw soup with Chinese cabbage, chicken curry, babi pongteh, Nonya chap chye, steamed rice, and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. The set is available from August 7 to 9. 

Order here shangri-la-sgdining.com/singapore/web/order-now.aspx

Have some laksa... on pizza this National Day from Peperoni Pizzeria. Jam-packed with flavour, this pizza ($28) is slathered with a rich and savoury laksa sauce, generously topped with tiger prawns, Venus clams, squid, hard-boiled egg, and even tofu puffs. Make it a National Day Bundle ($56) with a feast that includes the laksa pizza, chicken wings, calamari and roasted cauliflower with mint yoghurt.

Order here Deliveroo or Oddle

Unwind in front of the television and rest easy with Tablescape’s sofa menu. The $56 spread for two comes with a variety of bite-sized treats – both sweet and savoury – that you can easily enjoy while being couch-bound. Dig into a chicken satay pot pie, chow down some chilli crab tartlets, snack on tapioca chips, and more. 

Order here tablescape-restaurant-bar.myshopify.com/products/national-day-sofa-menu 

For National Day, the DIY sushi chain is rolling out a special bundle ($32.90) in collaboration with GrabFood. The bundle features a DIY sushi roll and a special otah roll with kecap manis, chicken floss and coated with green crispy tempura batter. There's also four pieces of Kazuki mochi and two drinks to wash it all down.  

Order via Grab

Gudsht is bringing the Singapore spirit to life through four August specials ($15/$28). The adorably named libations draw reference to various local icons – there is Steady Lah, inspired by character Phua Chu Kang with vodka, Amaretto, Midori, orange juice, and peach and plum bitters; Swee Boh that pays homage to the majestic Marina Bay Sands with additions of tequila, sangria, and lime juice for a bold concoction. Others include a floral Shiok Sia and deceptively strong Lepak Ah. 

Order here gudsht.org