Behold the King of all fruits! If you’re as Singaporean as I am, you must have guessed it right by now. Oh yes, you’ve got it - it’s none other than the durian.
Okay, so not every single person on planet Earth is a huge fan of this fruit. But like me, a true-blue Singaporean, you can’t deny the power durians have when it comes to the art of temptation.
While westerners (otherwise locally known as “ang mohs” in Singapore) find durians to be awfully rancid and revolting, locals are undoubtedly madly in love with this exotic Asian fruit. With the prickly thorns and unappealing shades of green, durians have an uncanny command for some sweet loving from us here in Singapore.
Durians have received both extreme ends of scrutiny from food critiques in Singapore and around the world. And as much as the yabber, yabber, yabber goes, it all boils down to this: durians - you either love them or you hate them.
If you’re easily repulsed by the slightest whiff of durians, well, woe to you. This is for the aficionados – the durian lovers who simply can’t get enough. Read on as we whet your appetite with our list of Top Ten Places for Mouth Watering Durian Desserts in Singapore.
But be warned, this is not for the faint-hearted.
Goodwood Park Hotel
In Singapore, when someone says durian, you’ll inevitably think Goodwood Park. Rich in tradition and history, this humble hotel sits upon a quiet hill along Scotts Road. Don’t be fooled, however, as this is the place to go to in Singapore for top quality, exquisite tasting durian treats.
First up, we have the all-famous and legendary Durian Mousse Cake. This cake stole the limelight since 1983 with its rich and luscious durian flavor, its velvety smooth texture, and its oh-so irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth durian mousse.
Also winning the hearts (and taste buds) of locals in Singapore are these other durian favorites from Goodwood Park Hotel.
- Durian Crepe
- Durian Banana Chocolate Mousse Cake
- Durian Macadamia Nut Crumble Tartlet
- Mao Shan Power Puff
- Durian Puff
- Durian Strudel
- Durian Ice Cream
Image Source: Goodwood Park Hotel
Durian Lingers
Durian Lingers isn’t like any typical durian stall you see in Singapore; this place boasts of its decades of experience and expertise in anything and everything durian.
Prominently located at the junction of Joo Chiat Place, with a second branch along Bukit Timah Road, Durian Lingers serves its customers some of the finest and freshest durians in town. And in case you’re wondering, this place is certainly no stranger to Singaporeans who seek favorites such as the Mao Shan Wang (Mountain Cat King), Phoenix, D24, and other exquisite varieties.
If you’re up for more than just durian, you’ll be glad to know that this place also serves fresh tropical fruits like mangoes, oranges and mangosteens.
What makes this place so unique is more than just its line up of durian and fresh fruit offerings. Step into Durian Lingers and you’ll find yourself immersed in a modern and stylish setting that is fully furnished with rustic furniture, air-conditioned, and complemented with soothing contemporary music. What more could you ask for?
Perfect for sunny Singapore, Durian Linger definitely makes for a great place to chill with family and friends for an after-meal durian indulgence.
Image Source: Durian Lingers
Four Seasons Durians
What began as a tiny fruit stall along Thomson Road in the 1970s has now bloomed into a popular household name in Singapore. Opening its flagship durian confectionery deli in Takashimaya, Four Seasons Durians began with nothing more than their humble creations, which included specialties of today such as Durian Mochi and Durian Pancakes.
They soon gained popularity among Singaporeans across the nation with the sprouting up of outlets at Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ang Mo Kio Hub, Serangoon NEX and The Clementi Mall.
Made fresh on the spot with chilled durian pulp, the durian pancake still reigns as a favorite among their customers. So much so, it’s hardly a surprise find a long queue of customers standing in line, waiting their turn to sink their teeth into this heavenly treat.
Four Seasons Durians also sports other divine durian desserts and snacks including their seductive Durian Fudge Cake, Classic D24 Durian Cake, Durian Puffs, and Durian Swiss Roll.
Image Source: Four Seasons Durian
Puteri Mas
This next place on our Top Ten list may not ring a bell to many of you. But to many durian fanatics out there, Puteri Mas is more than just a name – it’s the place to go to for authentic durian confectionery in Singapore.
Founded over a decade ago by Chef Irene Lim, the kitchen behind this cafe produces some of the most traditional tasting durian Nonya delicacies. Loyal customers flock to Puteri Mas for their freshly made Durian Cake, Classic Durian Puffs and Durian Swiss Roll.
Image Source: Puteri
Café Mosaic at Carlton Hotel
A hidden gem, in the form of a beautifully designed durian cake, lies in Carlton Hotel's Café Mosaic. This perennial dessert is the star of the restaurant's Asian and Western buffet spread.
Stealing the limelight with its topping of rich durian cream, intentionally made to look just like a durian, their signature Durian Cake is more than meets the eye.
Majestic Restaurant
Okay, I'm really excited about this one!
All good things must be shared, so I'm sharing this amazingly awesome durian dessert that is certainly is must-try for everyone in Singapore.
Presenting to you Majestic Restaurant's dessert speciality...
Crispy Durian Ice Cream!
What makes this beauty so addictive is the undeniably perfect marriage of flavors and textures all rolled into one. The crisp outer layer of this durian dessert encapsulates the smooth and creamy durian ice cream on the inside, surprising diners with the sudden burst of flavors at their very first bite.
Housed within New Majestic Hotel, this award-winning restaurant serves up delectable Cantonese dishes that have earned the deserving praises of critics.
If you're visiting for a dinner with family and friends, remember to save somes tummy space for their Crispy Durian Ice Cream.
Image Source: Majestic Restaurant
Pine Garden's Cake
Deep within the heart of Ang Mo Kio is this quaint little bakery called Pine Garden's Cake. What is seemingly an ordinary cake shop is actually a hidden treasure trove with one of Singapore's best durian desserts.
Here you'll find some rather unusual but nonetheless very pretty-looking cakes. Some of which include their Baileys Chocolate Crunch Cake, Lychee Martini Cake, Pulot Hitam Cake, Brandy Cherry Cake, and of course, not forgetting the Cat Mountain King Durian Cake (or Mao Shan Wang Durian Cake).
Garnering overwhelming commendation from various magazines, newspapers, and food critics, their Durian Cake is definitely worth the try, but even more so, worth the come-back.
Intensely rich and decadent, this well-received Mao Shan Wang Durian Cake is bound to leave a distinctive aftertaste that will have you craving for more.
Image Source: Pine Garden's Cake
Durian Mpire by 717 Trading
With a history dating all the way back to 1973, 717 Trading started out in Punggol as a tiny fruit stall selling durians and other fruits. Over the years, the business diversified and began focusing on selling durian desserts and pastries.
Also known as Durian Mpire, they have built themselves a reputation for the premium quality and taste of their durian offerings.
With durian from beginning to end, their menu is as Singaporean as it can get.
When Durian Mpire says business, they really means business. Fresh out of their oven everyday are their petite Durian Puffs, signature Durian Coil, Durian Mini Mousse, Durian Mochi, Durian Sandwich, Durian Crepe, Durian Pudding, Durian Le Cheese, Mao Shan Wang Durian Cake, Durian Kuih Lapis, Durian O Layer Cake, Durian Cheese Mousse, Durian Waffles, Durian Pancake, and the list never ends.
Now, that's a mouthful. With so much to choose from, customers are often left spoilt for choice.
Image Source: Durian Mpire
Udders Ice Cream
If you haven't already heard, our favorite ice cream parlor has added a couple of all-Singaporean ice cream flavors to its menu.
Among all the wacky, goofy, and kooky flavors are two Asian-inspired durian flavors to awaken the Singaporean taste buds. A bestseller is the Mao Shan Wang Durian flavor, which gives us a kick at the right spot with it ecstatic bitter-sweet and fragrant flavor - or as they put it, "an explosion of durianism".
Another is the D24 Durian flavor, a classic favorite made with fresh D24 durian pulp that is finely mashed and churned into charmingly luscious ice cream.
Every mouthful of ice cream is a guilty pleasure minus the guilt.
Image Source: Udders
Ji De Chi Dessert
Located along Liang Seah Street at Bugis, Ji De Chi stands as a popular place many Singaporeans flock to for great tasting desserts. And with summer all year round, it is hardly surprising to find many locals ordering thirst-quenching, icy-chilled treats as defense against the scorching heat.
A unanimous favourite among those who frequent this dessert house is the Durian Puree with Pomelo. Made with a generous portion of thick and creamy durian mousse, topped with a large dollop of bittersweet durian pulp, and drowned in pomelo sacs and sago pearls, a bowl of Ji De Chi's Durian Puree is enough to keep you satiated all day.
Image Source: Aroma Cookery
