1. HONEY CREME
What: The hype around this week-old Taiwanese brand of soft-serve ice cream is unlikely to die down soon, so be prepared to queue for at least 20 minutes.
The ice cream, churned in-house, is made with Australian milk and cream. However, it is the toppings that make the difference and these range from organic cotton candy to popcorn. Another unique one is honeycomb, which is imported from Taiwan and has a hint of longan, as the bees gather nectar from longan trees.
Prices for an ice cream plus topping start at $4.60.
Where: 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Road, 01-37 (formerly Gongcha, next to taxi stand), open: 11am to 10pm daily
Info: Call 6884-8468 or go to www.facebook.com/honeycremesg
2. LLAO LLAO
What: Also attracting long queues is Spanish frozen yogurt brand Llao Llao (say yao yao) which has become very popular since it opened last year at Marina Square.
Its other outlets at 313@Somerset and Plaza Singapura are also packed.
Prices start at $2.50 for a Petitllao to $4.90 for a bigger Granillao.
Popular item Sanum ($6.50) is a generous serving of yogurt, fresh fruit and choice of a crunch and a sauce. There are also smoothies topped with frozen yogurt (from $5.90).
Where: Outlets include 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Road, B3-55; Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, 01-22A; Singapore Polytechnic, Polytechnic Food Court 3; and Marina Square, Marina Link, B1-04, open: various opening hours
Info: www.facebook.com/llaollaoSingapore
3. TAI PARFAIT
What: This is two desserts in one – Japanese fish-shaped taiyaki pancakes meet ice cream and fruit toppings.
The taiyaki ($2.20 a piece) is made with almond powder and comes filled with a choice of azuki (red bean), matcha, custard, or chocolate. The ice cream goes into the mouth of the fish.
Flavours include the best-selling Tai Parfait Hokkaido Soft Ice Cream (from $5.80), Tai Parfait Banana Chocolate (from $4.50), and Tai Parfait Matcha and Azuki (from $5).
Where: Bugis Junction, 200 Victoria Street, B1-03A and VivoCity, 1 Harbour- Front Walk, B2-K2, open: 11am to 10pm daily
Info: Call 6333-1500 or go to www.tai-parfait.com.sg
4. OYOGE TAIYAKI
What: This is not just another taiyaki (Japanese fish-shaped pancake) store.
The taiyaki made at this store opened by Mr Andy Lee has a mochi-like dough for a chewy texture. A blend of five flours are used for the dough, one of them being glutinous rice flour used to make mochi. This gives the taiyaki a white skin, and it can be eaten warm or cold as a dessert.
Prices start from $2.50 a piece, with flavours such as azuki beans, matcha, black sesame and strawberry fromage.
Look out for upcoming seasonal flavours such as roasted chestnut.
Japanese soft serve ice cream ($3) is also available in flavours such as green tea and Japanese sweet potato.
Where: 191 New Bridge Road, open: noon to 9pm (Monday to Thursday), 10.30am to 10pm (Friday to Sunday)
Info: Call 9099-0318 or go to www.oyogetaiyaki.com
5. MR BEAN SINGAPORE
What: The 19-year-old business, popular for its Japanese pancakes and soya bean drinks, launched a range of Mini Beanies in August, with the opening of its cafe in Jurong Point.
The mini pancakes, shaped like the Mr Bean mascot, come with a variety of sweet and savoury dips such as hazelnut chocolate sauce and chilli crab sauce.
Toppings include Oreo and roasted buckwheat puffs. They cost $2.90 for eight pieces and $3.50 for 12.
Other dessert options (at selected cafes including Bedok Mall, Jurong Point and Toa Payoh Hub) include Pearly Mango Paradise, which is soya pudding with mango, pearls and pomelo.
Where: Jurong Point, 63 Jurong West Central 3, 03-11, open: 10am to 10pm daily
Info: www.facebook.com/MrBeanSingapore
This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on November 3, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.
