10 dessert spots to get tang yuan (ah balling) in Singapore

One of the more recognisable names when it comes to tang yuan in Singapore, 75 Ah Balling Peanut Soup has been around since its first location along Jalan Sultan in 1947. The hawker stall also boasts the most flavours of ah balling you can find at one location – peanut, sesame, red bean, yam, and matcha. There are also various soups to pair them with — peanut, almond milk, ginger, and longan red date. Tang yuan at 75 Ah Balling Peanut Soup is priced upwards of $2.20 for three pieces.

75 Ah Balling Peanut Soup has multiple locations in Singapore. Visit its Facebook for more information.

DDSD’s creations were made for people who can’t decide between fresh beancurd, tau huay, and tang yuan. Started by husband-and-wife duo Lau Kah Hou and Lee Kamy, the hawker stall is located in a rather quiet area within the popular Hong Lim Market. Tau huay and soy milk are made daily, alongside other dessert items such as black sesame paste and peach gum. But if you’re here for tang yuan, pick out the Tang Yuan Beancurd ($3.60), which comes with peanut and black sesame flavours.

DDSD is at 531A Upper Cross Street, #02-53 Hong Lim Market, Singapore 051531. Visit its Instagram for more information.

Darkness Dessert is within walking distance from Tanjong Pagar MRT and is a place to have your fill of tang yuan and other Chinese desserts. Because of its extensive menu, you can taste various combinations of desserts that include tang yuan. For example, there’s the Yam Paste with Glutinous Rice Balls ($5.50). Or how about Green Bean Soup with Glutinous Rice Balls ($5.50)? Traditionalists can find the classic Ginger Soup with Glutinous Rice Balls ($4.50), too.

Darkness Dessert is at 100 Tg Pagar Rd, Singapore 088521. Visit its website for more information.

The family behind Mei Heong Yuen Dessert started out selling the Farmer brand of peanuts before daughters Connie and Clara Lee started the dessert shop specialising in pastes and steamed egg pudding. The brand has since grown to become known for its Chinese desserts. On the menu is the Glutinous Rice Ball in Ginger Soup ($4), which comes with black sesame and peanut flavours. Otherwise, you can purchase any of the pastes and add on tang yuan, too.

Mei Heong Yuen Dessert has multiple locations in Singapore. Visit its Facebook for more information.

Jin Yu Man Tang’s menu includes an extensive list of Chinese desserts, from classic pastes and steamed desserts to rarer ones such as peach gum and fried custard. Options containing tang yuan are equally extensive too, including Red Bean Paste + Rice Ball ($5.10), Sweet Glutinous Mixed Rice Ball with Chrysanthemum ($6.20), Ginger Soup + Rice Ball ($3.80), and Riceball with Peanut Coating ($4.50).

Jin Yu Man Tang is at 66 East Coast Rd, #01-03 The Flow@East Coast, Singapore 428778 and 291 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058836. Visit its Facebook for more information.

Incepted in 2009, Dessert First is one of the few Chinese dessert shops on Liang Seah Street, just opposite Bugis MRT. It has three tang yuan desserts to choose from: Original Glutinous Rice Balls ($4.80) with either sesame or peanut filling and longan or ginger soup, Sesame Paste with Tang Yuan ($5.80), or Tang Yuan Coated with Peanut Crumbs ($4.80). Otherwise, Dessert First offers the usual Chinese dessert options and even has waffles.

Dessert First is at 8 Liang Seah St, #01-04, Singapore 189029. Visit its website for more information.

Tong Shui Desserts is another Chinese dessert option whenever you’re in Chinatown. The stall might be most known for its chendol and mango sago but the tang yuan shouldn’t be missed either. Get it either in the form of Ginger Soup with Rice Balls ($4), Almond Paste with Rice Balls ($5.50), or Black Sesame Paste with Rice Balls ($5.50).

Tong Shui Desserts is at 101 Upper Cross Street #02-58, People’s Park Centre, 058357. Visit its Facebook for more information.

Almost every hot dessert at Chowzan Dessert has a version that comes with tang yuan. As such, you can expect to taste the usuals such as Red Bean Paste and Tang Yuan ($5.90), Black Sesame Paste with Tang Yuan ($5.90) and even Black Glutinous Rice Coconut Milk and Tang Yuan ($5.90), Eight Treasure Cheng Teng with Tang Yuan ($6.90), and White Fungus Gingko and Tang Yuan ($6.50). Purists can also get the Tang Yuan with Longan Red Date Soup ($5.50).

Chowzan Dessert is at 801 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198769. Visit its Instagram for more information.

In case you didn’t know, gui ling gao is a herbal jelly dessert that is made with turtle for its purported medicinal benefits. Gong He Guan, however, has found a way to reap the same positive effects without the use of animals, resulting in a vegetarian take on gui ling gao. That’s not all Gong He Guan sells though. They also offer a curated variety of traditional Chinese desserts that include various pastes, soups, and Ginger Soup Tang Yuan ($4.20).

Gong He Guan is at 217 Geylang Rd, Singapore 389277 and 28 Upper Cross St, Singapore 058337.

Ah Chew Dessert needs little introduction among fans of traditional Chinese desserts. It’s been on Liang Seah Street since 2003 and has grown not only in shop size, but also to a new outlet in Orchard. On its extensive menu are ah balling options such as the Ginger Soup with Rice Ball ($3.40) and Rice Ball Mochi ($2.80). You can add tang yuan to other desserts too.

Ah Chew Dessert is at 1 Liang Seah St, #01-10/11 Liang Seah Place, Singapore 189032 and #01-03 Cineleisure, 8 Grange Rd, Singapore 239695. Visit its Facebook for more information.

This article was originally published in Singapore Women's Weekly.