Looking at how the Singapore F&B scene has developed, one can easily notice the influx of a variety of dessert cafes setting up their stores here from abroad, much to the glee of many teenagers. From bingsus, churros, matcha cakes, and to new flavours and wider sections for macarons, Singaporeans seem to delight with these refreshing additions of new dessert blends and flavours.
The following presents some of the many foreign dessert cafes opened in Singapore this year that have made their way into the happy stomachs of many of us.
1. Dazzling Cafe
Located within the gastronomical hub of Capitol Piazza, the new luxury lifestyle development, Dazzling Cafe launched its outlet in Singapore earlier in June 2015. Since its opening, the cafe has been spiking waves on various social media sites with its super photogenic desserts made up of colourful, thick swirls of ice-cream cascading down thick crisps of buttered toasts.
Dazzling Cafe: 15 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178906 | Tel: +65 6384 3310 | Facebook
2. O’ma Spoon Korean Dessert Cafe
With the new-found craze over the many bingsu dining places that spruced up early part of this year, it is a delight to learn that O’ma Spoon is the first contemporary Korean dessert franchise set up in Singapore.
Operated by a Korean storeowner here in Singapore, the cafe imports major ingredients straight from Korea. It is able to provide customers with the authentic flavours of the dessert items.
The Milk Snow Bingsu is the highlight of its range of bingsu flavours. On top of that, the Oven-baked Thick Honey Butter Bread is the specialty food item on the cafe’s menu.
O’ma Spoon Korean Dessert Cafe: Marina Square, 6 Raffles Boulevard, #04-102, Singapore 039594 | Tel: +65 6333 0995| Website
3. Mr Churro
The most recent overseas dessert franchise that commenced business in Singapore, Mr Churro starts its first stall a week ago (opened 18 December 2015). Located within ION Food Hall, this popular South Korean churros franchise will be the first of three Mr Churro outlets to open in Singapore.
Mr Churro Singapore offers the unique flavour of Banana Milk soft serve ice-cream to be paired with the churros. On top of that, Mr Churro Singapore also offers a 50cm long original churro. Iconic indeed.
Mr Churro: Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-61, Singapore 238801 | Facebook
4. Caffe Bene
Another popular South Korean coffee chain, Caffebene opened its first outlet in Singapore last month. Caffebene is no ordinary cafe.
Apart from the 40 varieties of coffee, lattes and non-caffeinated drinks it offers, Caffebene also serves desserts such as gelato, Belgian waffles, honeybread, as well as Singaporeans’ new-found Korean dessert love — bingsu.
Patrons of this new set up in town are in for a craze over the plethora of colours, zest and flavours available through the array of craftily whipped up desserts and beverages which are in line with the Korean dessert trend.
Caffe Bene Singapore: VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, #02-150, Singapore 098585 | Tel: +65 6377 6870 | Website
5. Henri Charpentier
A French-inspired Japanese patisserie which has its stores prevalent all over Japan, Henri Charpentier opened its first overseas outlet at Dempsey Hill in October 2015.
Really good array of desserts here with exquisite designs and servings. However, items are heavily marked up in price.
Two dessert items worthy of highlight would be the Crepe Suzette and Flower Temptation. The former was created by, and named in honour of Henri Carpenter, a French chef. The crepe is steeped in orange juice, topped by orange liqueur and lit up by a magical blue flame.
As for Flower Temptation, it is made up of sautéed pineapple along with two types of chocolate mousse added to a flower-shaped sugar bowl, then flambéing it with orange liqueur. Both dishes will be prepared by your tableside, so get your handphones and cameras ready to instavideo the flambe performance.
Henri Charpentier: 9A Dempsey Rd, Singapore 247698 | Tel: +65 6479 5518 | Website
6. Nunsongyee Korean Dessert Cafe
With its first outlet open in the neighborhood area of Serangoon Gardens, Nunsongyee branches out with two more outlets at Tanjong Katong and Bugis.
Setting this franchise apart from the other bingsu cafes which influxes in Singapore is the Snowhite Bingsu. A perfect to-go for the cheese-lover, as the entire surface of the shaved ice is covered with a thick layer of grated cheese.
Nunsongyee Korean Dessert Cafe: 534 North Bridge Road, Singapore188749 | Tel: +65 9220 3738 | Facebook
7. Jenny Bakery
Jenny Bakery, a famous bakery with two branches in Hong Kong, opened an outlet at Ang Mo Kio on 23 October. Needless to say, the coveted made-in Hong Kong cookies are more expensive here.
Packed with the store’s signature tins with teddy bear prints on them, Jenny Bakery has available a variety of snacks ranging from butter and coffee cookies to almond flakes and nougats.
Fans of this Hong Kong Jenny Bakery’s snack delicacies need not make a special trip to Hong Kong just to get them. Situated within a heartland district, the environment has been one that is warm, friendly and delightful.
Due to the crazy demand, you will have to place an order in advance though, and stocks regularly run out at the moment.
Jenny Bakery Singapore: Blk 422 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, #01-2534, Singapore 560422 | Tel: +65 9235 7320 | Website
8. Hashida Garo
Owned by Japanese chef Kenjiro ‘Hatch’ Hashida who has his original culinary creations and his passion for visual arts, this dessert parlour features a enchanting fusion of art and dining.
The dessert item that is worthy of mention are the macarons available in a nifty range of flavours such as Yuzu, Matcha, Houjicha and even Foie Gras.
Hashida Garo: 333A Orchard Road, #04-16 Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897 | Tel: +65 62352283 | Facebook
9. Churro 101
Popular specialty chain from Korea opens its first international outlet at Singapore’s Bugis+. With a cheesy tagline that goes “better than a boyfriend”, it is no doubt that the store has caught the attention of large crowds of public, especially teenage and youthful girls with a sweet tooth.
The 30-cm long, deep fried layers of indulgence, paired with delightful flavours of toppings are difficult in keeping one from salivating upon sight. The classic flavours available are Plain, Sugar, Cinnamon and are ideal when accompanied with the Spanish Chocolate Dip.
As for those who would like their churros filled, Churro 101 offers three main delectable fillings — Milk Custard, Cream Cheese and Chocolate.
Churro 101: 201 Victoria St, #04-01, Singapore 188067 | Facebook
10. Angelina
Paris’ internationally acclaimed patisserie and tearoom, Angelina has set up a branch right beside dessert powerhouse Dazzling Cafe at Capitol Piazza. Pastries here are flown directly from Paris, hence explains the prices which are higher than normal cafes.
Angelina’s well-known French desserts such as the Mont Blanc, as well as their macarons of varieties of flavours are indeed await an indulging sweet treat, a perfect ambient for a date or a rewarding treat for the self.
Angelina Singapore: Capitol Galleria, 15 Stamford Road, #01-82, Singapore 178906 | Tel: +65 6384 0481 | Facebook
