Our local supermarkets are flooded with imported goods from countries all over the world. With the abundance of foreign snack products in Singapore, have you ever wondered what homegrown snacks made locally would taste like?
Forget the usual flavours like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry — when you combine homegrown snack brands with Singapore’s myriad of iconic dishes and flavours, you’ll get incredible, innovative creations that you probably can’t find anywhere else in the world.
I’m talking about products like nasi lemak popcorn, satay cookies, chicken rice potato chips and even mala chocolate. Wondering where you can get the most exciting and unique snacks from brands founded right here in Singapore? Here are 10 homegrown snack brands to fuel your cravings for unique local flavours.
1. Old Seng Choong
Old Seng Choong was founded by local pastry chef Daniel Tay, who named the business after Seng Choong Confectionery, the bakery run by his parents from 1965 to 1996. Old Seng Choong is an homage to Daniel’s father, and puts a large focus on Singapore’s rich heritage with its unique local-inspired products.
You absolutely must get a taste of Old Seng Choong’s cookies, each of which are packaged in traditional, colonial-style metal tins donning gorgeous motifs. Their cookie flavours include Goreng Pisang (S$22.80), Pandan Coconut (S$22.80), Satay (S$22.80) and Hae Bee Hiam (S$22.80), each being inspired by Singaporean elements.
They even have Bak Kut Teh Cookies (S$22.80), which are infused with white pepper, herbs and spices. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the slight herbal aroma and strong flavour of the assorted spices. The Cereal Prawn Cookies (S$22.80) were similarly impressive, with the familiar and fragrant taste of Nestum cereal and curry leaves.
My favourite was undoubtedly the Laksa Cookies (S$22.80), which embodied all the signature elements of laksa, from the coconut-ty undertones to the subtle spice throughout.
For a list of outlets, opening hours and contact numbers, click here.
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2. Fossa Chocolate
Why settle for typical chocolate bars when you can wow your tastebuds with the most creative chocolate flavours in the country? Fossa Chocolate specialises in making artisan chocolates, with unique new flavours launching every 1 to 2 months. This homegrown brand creates its confections from scratch in Singapore, with each chocolate bar being moulded and packaged by hand in small batches.
Prepare to be blown away by Fossa Chocolate’s inventive flavours, each sold in 50g bars, such as the Satay Sauce Milk Chocolate (S$12.96), which blends peanut praline with aromatic spices. How about challenging yourself with the Spicy Mala Dark Chocolate (S$12.96), containing a wok-fried spice mix and Yuasa soy sauce?
My favourites were undoubtedly the Salted Egg Cereal Blond Chocolate (S$12.96) and the Pineapple Tart Blond Chocolate (S$12.96). The Salted Egg Cereal Blond Chocolate was super addictive with its fragrant salted egg aroma and tze char-like cereal flavour, while the Pineapple Tart Blond Chocolate tasted just like a classic pineapple tart, containing pineapple chunks and butter crust bits.
What stood out to me the most about Fossa Chocolate’s bars was how each unique flavour was distinct and recognisable without being drowned out by the strong cocoa taste. The Duck Shit Dancong Dark Milk Chocolate (S$12.96) (which doesn’t contain actual duck shit, FYI) had the most incredible floral scent layered with the fragrance of a comforting cup of tea, while the Ginseng Chrysanthemum Dark Milk Chocolate (S$15.12) captivated me with its aromatic chrysanthemum aroma and ginseng undertones.
Other amazing chocolate flavours to look forward to at Fossa Chocolate include Bee Pollen Dark & White (S$12.96), Black Truffle Dark Milk (S$15.12), Nanyang Kopi Dark Milk (S$12.96), Honey Orchid Dancong Oolong Dark Milk (S$12.96) and more. Trust me when I say that these chocolates are worth every penny.
For a list of outlets, opening hours and contact numbers, click here.
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3. The Kettle Gourmet
I have been a huge fan of The Kettle Gourmet‘s products for years, mainly because of my obsession with popcorn. This Singaporean brand was founded in 2017, and specialises in gourmet popcorn made with corn sourced directly from corn fields in South Africa. You’ll easily find The Kettle Gourmet’s products on the shelves of local supermarkets, recognisable through the adorable little monsters that adorn the bright and colourful packaging.
Forget about basic popcorn flavours like caramel and butter, how about digging into flavours like Nasi Lemak and Kaya Butter Toast? These are just 2 of The Kettle Gourmet’s 8 flavours, which include familiar Singaporean dishes such as Pulut Hitam, Chilli Crab, Fish Head Curry and Chicken Floss, as well as classics like Salted Caramel and Chocolate.
Dazzle your tastebuds with a combination of sweet, salty, savoury and spicy tastes when you opt for Nasi Lemak, Chilli Crab and Fish Head Curry. These 3 flavours pack a punch in the spice department while impressively conveying their respective flavours. Pulut Hitam is an exciting flavour to try if you crave something sweet — I loved how strong the coconut aroma was, and to my surprise, I could even taste the sweet glutinous rice as I munched on these!
As someone who eats floss straight from the canister, my all-time favourite is The Kettle Gourmet’s Chicken Floss popcorn, coated in fluffy strands of chicken floss. The sweet and slightly savoury notes of this snack checked all my boxes.
The Classic 65g Snack Pack (S$40), available on The Kettle Gourmet’s website, contains 65g packets of all 8 flavours for you to savour. Alternatively, you can find individual 65g packs of these snacks at supermarkets for S$5.40 each.
The Kettle Gourmet also has Yumi Corn Sticks, delicious and crunchy corn crackers made from corn grits, available in Original, Cheese and Chicken flavours. Indulge in the Yumi Gift Box (S$24), which contains 4 boxes with 20 sticks each.
+65 8020 0741
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4. The Golden Duck
Before salted egg potato chips overtook almost every supermarket snack aisle in Singapore, there was The Golden Duck. This homegrown snack brand was the very first introduction I ever had to salted egg flavoured snacks way back in 2015, with its salted egg potato chips and fish skin.
Today, The Golden Duck has reinvented itself with new recipes and new products, each inspired by popular Asian flavours.
The Golden Duck’s classic Salted Egg Potato Ridges (S$7.80) are everything you’d want in a good pack of salted egg chips — these ridged potato chips contain specks of golden cured salted egg within each groove, with just the right amount of fragrance from the curry leaves within.
Their Salted Egg Yolk Fish Skin Crisps (S$7.80) are not to be missed either, if you’re a lover of seafood. Each fish skin is light and crispy with a generous coating of savoury salted egg that complements its rich, smokey flavours.
I personally love The Golden Duck’s Seaweed Tempura snacks, available in 2 flavours: Chilli Crab and Salted Egg Crab. Each packet costs S$7.80, and are incredibly rich and creamy — there are even pieces of real crab meat scattered within, giving the tempura crackers a sweet flavour. I’m all for indulgence, so I wasn’t disappointed in how well-coated the seaweed tempura pieces were — every bite unveiled strong umami notes and fragrant roasted undertones.
Finally, the Sichuan Mala Hot Pot Fragrant Mix (S$8) is the perfect snack for those craving a bit of spice. You won’t be bored with the array of ingredients within this snack pack — dig into roasted fish skin, 3 types of mushrooms and crispy beancurd skin when you tear open a packet of this spicy and numbing snack mix.
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5. F.EAST
F.EAST, which stands for Flavours of the East, isn’t any other typical potato chip company. This homegrown brand was started by a husband-and-wife duo who left their jobs in finance to start up their unique Asian-flavoured potato chip company. The company launched its first 2 flavours in 2017 and today, you can find their products on the shelves of major supermarkets.
Forget the boring old potato chip flavours and dig into F.EAST’s 4 Asian-inspired flavours: Hainanese Chicken Rice, Singapore Laksa, Egg Prata with Fish Curry and their online exclusive Beef Rendang. Each packet retails at S$2.95 for a 70g portion.
When I tried F.EAST’s products, I was incredibly impressed by how well the flavours of these local dishes were translated into potato chips. The Hainanese Chicken Rice chips had a strong ginger aroma, while the Singapore Laksa chips wowed me with their coconut milk profile and subtle hints of dried shrimp.
F.EAST’s potato chips can be obtained at selected FairPrice, Cold Storage and Giant outlets, as well as on online platforms like Shopee Mall, LazMall and RedMart.
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6. Golden Moments
Durian lovers, where you at? Golden Moments is one of Singapore’s top durian retailers, with its high quality fresh durians and affordable prices. However, did you know that this popular durian company doesn’t just sell fresh and frozen durians?
Golden Moments’ durian mochis are a must try, as they combine fresh durian puree with a silky soft skin. The Golden QQ (S$19.80) comes with 6 bouncy durian mochis, filled with signature Mao Shan Wang durian. The Crystal QQ (S$32.80), on the other hand, is a spin-off of The Golden QQ, which uses only top-grade durians that are pureed into a creamy consistency and enveloped in a crystal clear skin.
At Golden Moments, you can also indulge yourselves in Long Da Ge Mala Lobster Flavoured Crackers (S$7.90), made with Sichuan peppercorns, dried chilli and premium spices, for those who love the numbing sensation from mala.
110 Lorong 23 Geylang, Victory Centre, #07-13, Singapore 388410
+65 8766 8960
Daily: 10am – 9pm
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7. The Cookie Museum
The Cookie Museum is a homegrown brand that stays true to its name. This gorgeous cookie store has outlets in Suntec City and Raffles City, each donning beautiful museum-like decorations, giving your shopping experience an elevated air of sophistication and elegance.
This gourmet cookie brand has some of the most unique locally inspired cookie flavours imaginable. The Singapore Chilli Crab Cookies (S$40) are one of their most popular products, with each cookie being topped with a crunchy roasted baby crab. The Nasi Lemak Cookies (S$48), on the other hand, combine the flavours of coconut, sambal, crunchy peanuts and ikan bilis.
Other flavours to expect include Singapore Chicken Rice Cookies (S$48), Pandan Chiffon Cookies (S$48), Shrimp Laksa Cookies (S$48) and Singapore Chendol Cookies (S$35). With beautifully decorated tins worthy of being displayed in museums, The Cookie Museum’s offerings are perfect for gifting.
For a list of outlets, opening hours and contact numbers, click here.
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8. Uncle Saba’s
Uncle Saba’s products are the perfect snacks when you need to feed a diverse group of people. Their poppadoms are vegan, gluten-free, halal-certified and plant-based, so that anyone can enjoy them.
Uncle Saba’s story began in 1919, when the owner’s father arrived in Singapore and set up a small shop. Today, their delicious lentil chips can be found in most major retailers.
Poppadom flavours available include classics like Hot & Spicy, Tomato Ketchup, Sweet Chilli and Sour Cream & Onion. Those who like Asian flavours may gravitate more towards the limited edition Chilli Crab and Tom Yum Seafood flavours.
A carton of twelve 70g canisters costs S$34.80 on Uncle Saba’s website, though you can easily find individual cans in supermarkets priced between S$2 to S$3.
+65 6291 7866
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9. Shi Le Po
Shi Le Po‘s name pays homage to a colloquial name given to early modern Singapore, 食乐坡 (shí lè pō). This homegrown brand offers snacks with unique local flavours, including salted egg, cereal and black pepper crab, with prices ranging depending on where you buy them.
Their Salted Egg Potato Chips are their most popular product, with both spicy and non-spicy varieties. Fish skin lovers will like the Salted Egg Fish Skins, which are twice-cooked to golden perfection.
I’m personally interested in the Crunchy Cereal Potato Chips, though the Curry Fish Head Potato Chips are super unique too. Why not go for the Black Pepper Crab Fish Skin, if you’re a seafood fan?
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10. Home’s Favourite
Home’s Favourite has been in operations since 1997, with a unique curation of handmade pastries and cookies. You can obtain their products via their online store, but for those who prefer physical shopping, their retail outlet at Jewel Changi Airport is the perfect place to grab some treats.
Home’s Favourite’s Singaporean-inspired cookies are a must-try. Dig into savoury creations like the Hae Bee Hiam Cookies, made with spicy shrimp, Laksa Cookies and even Salted Egg Yolk Fish Skin Cookies, which combines crispy fried fish skin with rich and umami salted egg yolk.
Don’t miss out on their aromatic Durian Cookies and Lychee Cookies, if you have more of a sweet tooth. The Milo Dinosaur Butter Cookies are rich and chocolatey, perfect for fans of the popular malt drink.
78 Airport Boulevard, Jewel Changi Airport, #01-231, Singapore 819666
+65 6272 2028
Daily: 10am – 10pm
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