Desserts to beat the heat
With the heatwave that Singapore has been experiencing lately, desserts are something that many have turned to for some much needed relief.
The highest temperatures clocked in the last few days have hovered around the 36 degrees celsius mark, with residents in Choa Chu Kang suffering the brunt of the heatwave most.
April is traditionally the hottest month of the year although the Meteorological Services Singapore says it's not likely to get anywhere near to the 40 degrees celsius seen in Malaysia recently.
Granted, Singapore is warm almost all-year-round, so there is never really a time when Singaporeans are not looking to consume refreshing cold treats.
Below is a list of different kinds of desserts which we think will help quench your thirst.
Bingsu
ICEBOXCAFE.SG
89 Rangoon Road #01-02 Urban Lofts (near Farrer Park MRT)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 2pm - 11pm, Saturday to Sunday: 12pm - 11pm
Price Range: $12 - $16
This cafe is one of the rare cafes serving Halal-certified bingsu in Singapore. One of its unique offerings is the 'Local Twists' menu, which includes the Duri Durian bingsu, giving the popular Korean dessert a little Singaporean twist.
ONE ICE CAFE
2 Jurong East Central 1 #02-67 (near Jurong East MRT)
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 12:30pm - 9:30pm
Price Range: $6 - $10
One of the most affordable bingsu cafes in Singapore, this is one for those on a budget. Although the ice is slightly coarser, the overflow of toppings makes up for it. Besides bingsu, One Ice Cafe also serves belgian waffles with ice cream, another dessert that would provide you with a slight relief in this heat. Check out the cafe's Instagram at @oneicecafe for promotions.
NUNSONGYEE
45 Burghley Drive (Burghley Lifestyle Hub) #01-04 (near Lorong Chuan MRT)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 12pm - 11pm, Friday - Saturday: 10am - 11pm, Sunday: 10am - 10pm
Price Range: $12 - $16
Nunsongyee prides itself in its authenticity - the owner of this cosy cafe is Korean.
They have the traditional pat bingsu (red bean) and the injeolmi bingsu (ricecake) along with several other creations.
Many customers visit the cafe because of its ambience, which they say reminds them of Korea.
If you ever feel like having bingsu in Korea, this is where you should visit. Nothing beats having a cold dessert in a place so cosy!
Nunsongyee also has outlets in Bugis (24 hours) and Upper Thompson Road.
Dessert Drinks
OORIGINAL
430 Upper Changi Road, #01-14, East Village (near Tanah Merah MRT)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 1pm - 9pm, Friday: 3pm - 10pm, Saturday to Sunday: 12pm - 9pm
Price Range: 1 for $5 or 2 for $9
This recently-opened cafe sells the Halal-certified Overdose drink that was previously only available in Johor. Now, you don't have to go across the Causeway just to get your Overdose fix. The sweet drinks are sold in pretty huge portions too!
CAKE SPADE
83 Tanjong Pagar Road (near Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 12pm - 9:30pm
Price Range: $14 - $17
If you have a knack for discovering sweet delicacies, you've probably heard of 'Over The Top' milkshakes. Cakeshake™ is the name coined by Cake Spade for the special drinks assembled by them, which comes in a series of four different flavours.
These drinks are not for the weak-hearted, but if you're someone who can handle your sugar, it's definitely something worth trying!
MEET & MELT
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM / MEETANDMELT
Block 915 Tampines St 91 #01-49 (Near Tampines SAFRA)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday: 3pm - 11pm, Saturday, Sunday & public holidays: 2pm - 11pm
Price Range: $9 - $14
This is another one for the sweet toothed: Meet & Melt is a family-owned cafe specialising in Shibuya toast and 'Over The Top' milkshakes.
All their recipes are home-made, and with it situated in the Tampines heartland, there is no better place to enjoy some cold desserts with your loved ones.
Frozen Yogurt
VELVET
112 East Coast #B1-27 i12 Katong
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 11am - 10pm
Price Range: $3 - $9
Velvet adds their own little twist to the standard waffles and ice cream combination; they serve theirs with frozen yogurt instead. Something that might catch your eye while you're over there is their frozen yogurt cakes. It's a somewhat healthier option, and it still tastes delicious! Like their Facebook page to enjoy a 10 per cent discount on your first visit.
FROZILICIOUS
Block 201E Tampines Street 23 #01-120 (near Tampines East Community Centre)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12pm - 10pm
Price Range: $0.33 per 10g
Frozilicious is a Halal-certified frozen yogurt store in Tampines. The yogurt here is self-serve, so you can experience the excitement of using the yogurt machine yourself. The price you pay is based on the weight, so you can go crazy with the large variety of toppings they provide. They offer different flavours every week, so follow them on Instagram at @frozilicious so you don't miss out on updates on new flavours. If you spend above $5, you will also receive a rewards card.
YOGART
175 Bencoolen Street, #01-56 Burlington Square
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 12pm - 9pm, Sunday: 11am - 6pm
Price Range: $2.80 - $6.20
At Yogart, you finally can have your froyo and waffle fix, all at the same time without hurting your wallet.
The most unique thing about it is that every cup of yogurt comes with a wafer biscuit, and they sell yogurt popsicles as well, which come in various flavours such as Mango, Raspberry and Yuzu.
Now you don't have to go through the trouble of having to use two hands to savour your favourite frozen yogurts.
Healthier Choices
BROWNICE
8 Sin Ming Road, #01-03 Sin Ming Centre
Opening hours: Sunday to Monday: 12pm - 10pm, Friday to Saturday: 12pm - 11pm
Price Range: $4 per scoop, $2 for every additional scoop, $4 for a waffle or brownie
Brownice does not only sell vegan pizzas and pastas, but vegan ice cream as well!
Their ice cream are homemade using brown rice.
They have several flavours such as Chocolate Hazelnut, Matcha, Black Sesame and Earl Grey.
They are so creamy and flavourful that it's hard to believe no eggs or milk were used to produce the ice cream.
A plus point is that the calories in these are only one-third of normal ice creams!
You can also pair a scoop or two with their vegan waffles and brownies.
ACAI PROJECT
27 Lorong Liput, Holland Village
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 11am - 10pm or until sold out
391 Orchard Road, #B2-32A, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 11am - 9.30pm or until sold out
Price Range: $7 - $15
You can purchase it in a bowl, or even a smoothie-to-go.
There are two bowl options - Original Flower Bowl (granola, fresh fruits, superfoods such as bee pollen, cacao nibs, coconut shavings, chia seeds and goji berries) or Nuts for Acai Bowl (granola, banana, cacao nibs, chia seeds and a choice of 2 butters - almond butter, peanut butter or cookie butter).
If you think that it'd taste bland, fret not because their acai blend will leave your taste buds wanting for more.
THE LIVING CAFE & DELI
779 Bukit Timah Rd
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 11am - 7pm, Friday: 11am - 10pm, Saturday: 9am - 10pm, Sunday: 9am - 8pm
Price Range: $5 - $10 for the desserts
Raw food is the heart of their menu.
They have desserts such as the Raw Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake which is a rich mousse cake with a base made out of nuts and dates. Another must-try dessert would be their Raw Cranberry and Lemon Pistachio Cake which has a light and smooth filling.
They are also known for their raw savoury foods which you can always try before having their yummy desserts.
Something Different
BLACKBALL
Various Locations around Singapore
Price Range: $2.50 - $6.50
It is a dessert from Taiwan
that allows you to personalise toppings to your liking for under $7!
You can choose a grass jelly, iced grass jelly shavings or beancurd base (mix it up if you want), and then choose your toppings from taro balls, matcha balls to pudding and pearls! It's a simple yet satisfying dessert and most importantly, conveniently located and wallet friendly.
They also sell bubble tea if you would like to slurp some iced milk tea or even melon tea to refresh yourself.
SMOOTHIE HOUSE
60 Paya Lebar Road, #02-15 Paya Lebar Square
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 10am - 10pm
1 Raffles Place, #03-25
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 10am - 9pm
Price Range: $6.50 - $16
Different from your usual Korean snowshave, Smoothie House brings snowshaves, or what they call 'cotton snow' or 'snowflake' to a whole new level.
An interesting fusion with this sweet Taiwanese dessert with their sweet and silky Italian panna cotta, it comes in several flavours such as sweet taro and peanut, mango and matcha.
Smaller versions of these are also available for take-aways.
If you want to have a refreshing fruit drink, they got you covered as well.
SINPOPO BRAND
458 Joo Chiat Road
Opening hours: Tuesday - Thursday: 12pm - 10pm, Friday - Saturday: 12pm - 12am, Sunday: 12pm - 10pm
Price Range: $7 - $9 for the desserts
A marvellous fusion between the local flavours of Singapore and western style, you would never expect to fall in love with it.
We suggest trying their Durian Pengat, Chilled Pandan Souffle and Orange Kaya Pisang Creme Brulee which would leave you begging for more.
The weird concoction of different flavours will take your tastebuds on a roller coaster ride that you'd never forget.
You can try their other savoury menu items but these desserts are something you must not miss.
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