Where to find the best durian desserts in Singapore

99 Old Trees

Credit: 99 Old Trees

1/5

Durian retailer and cafe 99 Old Trees has recently opened the doors to a new dessert spot at Teo Hong Road. Instagrammable murals and neon lighting line the industrial chic space.

New on the menu is The Stinky Bomb ($1.90, minimum of two), which boasts a golden choux au craquelin that adds a crunchy, subtly salty contrast to the luscious and thick mao shan wang durian flesh and cream inside. The Stinky Roll ($6.50 for a quarter piece and $25 for a foot-long roll) is also new, with pillowy soft Japanese sponge cake filled with fresh Mao Shan Wang flesh and French custard cream.

If you love chendol, the cafe serves up a housemade Teochew-style version ($3) that you can add on with a dollop of fresh durian ($2). Or go for the Stinky Bowl ($5.50, $7 with extra durian shot), a creamy concoction of D24 durian mousse and puree.

Outdoors, there’s an alfresco space where you can enjoy the decadent fruit beneath twinkling fairy lights.

99 Old Trees is at 1 Teo Hong Road, Singapore 088321. Visit its website to order or for more information.

Goodwood Park Hotel

2/5

Think indulgent durian treats and Goodwood Park Hotel’s annual Durian Fiesta comes to mind.

This year, it’s taking place from March 5 to July 24, 2022, with a slew of decadent sweets crafted with quality D24 and Mao Shan Wang varieties. For one, there’s the D24 Crystal Apricot Dome that melds durian with fruity apricote compote with flourless chocolate sponge, as well as a D24 Lychee Roselle Blossom Cake that sees a rose sponge, lychee mousse, durian mousse and a digestive biscuit base, and the D24 Strawberry Mascarpone Filo Tart.

There’ll also be familiar favourites and mainstays, like the signature D24 Mousse Cake, D24 Crêpe, D24 Puff and Durian Ice Cream Tubs. Miss the crowd-favourite Mao Shan Wang Mousse Cake and Mao Shan Wang Power Puff? They’ll be making a return from May 1, 2022.

You can pre-order them online, available via delivery or self-collection. 

This standalone cafe at Jalan Besar (it was previously at Poiz mall in Potong Pasir),

Its repertoire of durian desserts run the gamut from Mao Shan Wang durian cake to ice cream, puffs, and even whiskey-infused durian cakes. Or sink your teeth into the MSW Durian Craquelin ($3.50 per piece or $17.50 per box) that has the durian piped into a freshly baked craquelin choux pastry.

Can’t get enough? It also has a durian high tea set ($45+) teeming with treats like durian tart, cheese mousse, baby craquelin choux pastries, and macarons. And just so your palate doesn’t get overwhelmed by all that richness, it’s also got savoury items like crab salad, baked salmon and fried cheese on the menu.

Ms Durian is at 11 Kelantan Road, Singapore 208604.

Just right next to well-known durian retailer Ah Seng Durian’s Bukit Merah outlet is its Durian Lab Cafe, where diners can tuck into a variety of delights starring the fruit.

Feast on the likes of MSW Burnt Cheesecake ($11), a durian tart ($8.50), shortcake ($9.50), and cruffins ($7). Or if you like an icy treat, there’s Mao Shan Wang ice cream (from $6.90 for a single scoop), as well as chocolate and vanilla flavours, which you can enjoy with waffles.

Durian Lab Cafe is at 119 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-22, Singapore 151119.

Four Seasons Durian

Credit: Four Seasons Durian

5/5

Originally a fruit stall, Four Seasons Durian has been doling out durian-centric treats since 2002, starting with a store at Takashimaya Department Store. It now has various outlets, including Nex, Ang Mo Kio Hub and Jewel Changi Airport.

Its range of offerings run from durian puffs, crepes, Swiss rolls and mochi to 3D durian cake crafted in the shape of the fruit (there’s even an ultra-cute mini version) that’ll win the hearts of durian lovers.

Visit its website to order or for a list of outlet locations.

This article was first published in The Singapore Women's Weekly.