Editors’ picks: the best kaya toasts in Singapore

“Reportedly one of the oldest coffee shops in Singapore, the family-run Keng Wah Sung was my go-to breakfast spot for a good three years. The coffee shop has been around for over 70 years, and they can always be counted on for perfectly runny soft-boiled eggs and pleasantly robust cups of teh peng. But the real draw here is the charcoal-grilled toast complemented by generous slabs of butter and enough kaya jam to raise your blood sugar for the next 24 hours—in a good way, of course. Keng Wah Sung is also popular for their handmade bakes, including flower-shaped sugar doughnuts, banana cake and puff pastries. In addition, I've heard of people buying coffee powder from them because the kopi here is just that good.”

—Engracia Ang, senior writer, Tatler Homes Singapore

Keng Wah Sung
Address: 783 Geylang Road, S(389672)

“Bao Er Cafe’s kaya toast has been the talk of the town of late. Unlike the mass-produced versions, their rendition is delightfully heavy on the kaya: the creamy, fragrant spread is generously dolloped on perfectly crispy toasts. Paired with a thick slab of butter, it delivers that essential salty-sweet contrast in every bite. It’s a wonderfully rich and custardy indulgence, making it a clear frontrunner for Singapore’s best traditional breakfast—exactly why it has become a favourite of mine.”

—Sean Tham, social media editor

Bao Er Cafe
Address: 24A Lorong Mambong, S(227681)

“It’s often said that the best guides to cheap eats in any city are its taxi drivers. If you consider that there are always a pretty large number of taxis (especially higher end Mercedes, Alphards and Vellfires) parked on Purvis Street every morning, while their owners are breakfasting in YY Kafei Dian, then you know that this humble old-school coffee shop serves a pretty mean kaya toast and a damn good coffee. As a former Purvis Street resident, this was also my go-to place for fabulous kaya toast, here served as “Kaya Buns”, i.e. a fluffy house-made bun, split down the middle, toasted and slathered with their rich, creamy homemade kaya and served (of course) with a slab of cold butter nestled between the bun halves a la John Candy's hand in Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”

—Aun Koh, editor-in-chief

YY Kafei Dian
Address: 37 Beach Road, #01-01, S(189678)

“With vintage coin-slot public telephones and walls so old that each coat of paint could tell stories that harken back to the 1970s, Heap Seng Leong can be considered a national treasure. There are options to choose between fluffy white toast or brown toast, but the former always emerges as the first pick for most. The toasts are grilled over charcoal so you know it comes with a nice ribbon of smoke. A generous slather of Hainanese kaya and some butter completes the holy trinity. Don’t forget a stimulating cup of Nanyang coffee to kickstart your day. Better still, for a velvety rich cup, go with the kopi gu you, which is an insider order of hot black coffee with a stick of cold butter.”

—Dawson Tan, assistant dining editor

Heap Seng Leong
Address: 10 North Bridge Road, #01-5109, S(190010)

“I’ll never understand people who order their kaya toasts with less butter. A generous (read: thick) slab of cold salted butter is, to me, absolutely necessary to go with the sweet, coconuty spread. And that’s the sort of kaya toast I’m guaranteed at Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe on Craig Road. There are options for a thick or wholemeal toast but I always opt for the traditional kaya butter toast—with a thinner slice of bread for a better toast to butter ratio—dipped into a side of two white-pepper and soy-sauce-laden soft boil kampung eggs. It’s worth noting that the white-shelled eggs here are also consistently cooked to perfection.”

—Annabel Tan, associate editor

Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe
Address: 5 Craig Road, S(089665)

“I love the nostalgic ambience in Katong and Chin Mee Chin is the quintessential kaya toast experience, especially when I have friends visiting Singapore. They use an old recipe since the 1920s, and while there are plenty of freshly baked pastries to choose from, I always find myself sticking to my usual order of kaya buns with homemade kaya jam and a hearty cup of kopi. The laidback vibe, steeped in charming heritage furniture and ornaments, allows me to fully unwind over tasty nosh while watching the world go by, even if it is for just a brief moment.”

—Ally Kim, events manager (a big fan of Kaya toasts, who upon hearing about this feature, nominated herself to be a part of this feature)

Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
Address: 204 East Coast Road, S(428903)

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“While Ah Seng has been in the game for close to 60 years, serving up old-school Nanyang coffee and classic kaya toasts, many return for its decadent kaya French toasts. It consists of charcoal-kissed slices of bread that are first slathered in egg and then with toothsome homemade kaya. Pair it with a nifty cup of Hainanese-style coffee, brewed with vintage kettles and seasoned cotton cloth socks, that drinks potent and subtly bitter.”

—Dawson Tan, assistant dining editor

Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Kopi
Address: 7 Maxwell Road, Amoy Street Food Centre, #02-95, S(069111)

“You can never go wrong with a slice of kaya toast from Ya Kun (as basic as it sounds). Its kaya toast offers the best proportions for the kaya-to-bread ratio, which is something I always look out for in this hearty breakfast dish. A thick, cold slab of butter sandwiched between textures completes each bite. Apart from its classic version, Ya Kun’s steamed kaya toast is also worth trying. This version replaces charcoal grilled bread for a softer and fluffier option that won’t leave you in a crumbly mess. And of course, the best way to eat it (in my opinion) is to dunk it in hot Milo—don’t knock it till you try it!”

—Amanda Goh, senior digital writer 

Ya Kun Kaya Toast
Multiple outlets islandwide

“This heartland gem is the stuff of legends—well, at least among those who stay around Hougang. Favoured by old-timers for its excellent cup of brass kettle brewed coffee, the kaya toast is also a worthy co-star to the artful cup. It arrives pillowy if you opt for the steamed kaya bread, instead of the typically crisp grilled kaya toasts. To each its own but I rather like the former better.”

—Dawson Tan, assistant dining editor

Da Zhong Cafe
Address: 105 Hougang Avenue 1, Hougang Hainanese Village Centre, #02-20, S(530105)

“Those who know me well enough will acknowledge my love for traditional kaya toasts. This local delight is my idea of comfort food. I can eat it at any time of the day: breakfast, lunch or dinner. Call me crazy but two slices are enough to satisfy me at mealtime. While I have several favourites across the island, convenience is of utmost importance for a kaya toast addict like me. So I always find myself ordering the traditional kaya toast set (with kopi-c kosong, of course) at Toast Box—which can easily be found all over the island. I also enjoy other iterations by the brand such as its kaya thick toast option. Sometimes, when I’m feeling a little wild, I’ll indulge in a special version: kaya toast with peanut butter—because no one counts calories when it comes to kaya toasts.”

—Andrea Saadan, senior digital editor

Toast Box
Multiple outlets islandwide

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