Kaya toast is what I’d describe as the “strawberry jam with scones” of England. It’s a classic Singaporean breakfast that is best enjoyed with kopi gao and two soft-boiled eggs.
Skip your usual Ya Kun Kaya and Toast Box and go for the more traditional coffee shops that will not disappoint.
The Classic Singaporean Breakfast
1. Chin Mee Chin Confectionary
This place has been a long-running favourite among the locals. Located along East Coast Road, this nostalgic coffee shop is a nice change to modern joints.
Known for it’s decor typical of 1950s Singapore, with retro marble top tables, floor tiles, and ceiling fans. It’s also known for their traditional kaya toasts.
Instead of the kaya toast bread you’d typically see, their Kaya Toast is served in a hamburger-type bun and slathered with their homemade kaya and a slice of butter.
These buns are made in house and toasted till they are slightly burnt for that nice “char” taste. This place can get pretty busy so try and avoid peak hours if you’re looking at dining in.
Chin Mee Chin Confectionary
Address: 204 East Coast Road, Singapore 428903
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun: 8.30 am – 4pm, Closed on Mondays
Contact No.: 6345 0419
2. Dong Po Colonial Cafe
Located along Kandahar Street, it’s common to see this coffee shop packed with office workers during lunch hour.
Using only authentic recipes from the 50s and 60s, this colonial cafe lets you savour the taste of the past.
The kaya toast is generously slathered with their homemade kaya which is available for sale as well!
Here’s a tip, skip the teh and get their kopi. Be it Kopi-O, siew dai, gao or whatever, trust me. The auntie here knows how to make a legit cup of kopi.
Dong Po Colonial Cafe
Address: 56 Kandahar Street, Singapore 198904
Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs: 8am – 6pm, Fri – Sat: 8am – 10pm, Sun: 8am – 8pm
Contact No.: 8748 0828
Website
3. Heap Seng Leong
Take a step back in time at this coffee shop. Red plastic stools and marble top tables. Uncles in their singlet and shorts enjoying a smoke break outside the coffee shop sipping on kopi.
This place has remained unchanged for decades and sticks true to its roots.
The kaya toast at Heap Seng Leong is not the most outstanding but you wouldn’t want it any other way either.
Enjoy your kaya toast with a cup of kopi gu you (coffee with butter) which will definitely elevate your breakfast experience.
Heap Seng Leong
Address: Block 10 North Bridge Road #1-5109, Singapore 190010
Opening Hours: 4am-8pm daily
4. Tong Ah Eating House
Tong Ah is one of the most iconic coffee shop in Singapore. Since 1939, they’ve been serving cups of kopi and kaya toast at the junction of Teck Lim and Keong Saik Road.
They’ve since relocated a few units farther down Keong Saik Road.
If you prefer crispy thin bread, then you’ll love the kaya toast served at Tong Ah.
Tong Ah Eating House
Address: 35 Keong Siak Road, Singapore 089142
Opening Hours: 7am – 10pm daily
Contact No.: 6223 5083
Website
5. Good Morning Nanyang Cafe
The kaya toast at this cafe looks like a masterpiece.
The Orange Peel Ciabatta Kaya Toast includes bits of caramelised orange peel baked into the thick bread which leaves a zesty taste lingering in your mouth.
It’s definitely not your traditional kaya toast but it’s perfect if you’re looking for something different to start your morning.
Good Morning Nanyang Cafe
Address: 32 Maxwell Rd, #01-05, Singapore 069115
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 5.30pm, Sat: 8:30am – 2:30pm, Closed on Sundays
Website
6. Coffee Break
Run by the third generation of kopi hawkers, they serve both traditional and modern fare to cater to the different generations.
Just look at that butter!
As much as I love the traditional kaya butter combination, Coffee Break serves up a couple of unique combination such as the Rum and Raisin which features a light and refreshing cream.
The Black Sesame combination is one of their best-sellers as well. The black sesame and butter combination goes surprisingly well together.
Coffee Break
Address: Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Road #02-78, Singapore 069111
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 2.30pm, Closed on Sat and Sun
Contact No.: 8100 6218
Website
7. Toast Hut
Run by a young local hawkerpreneur, Toast Hut is the place for your traditional kaya toast set and kopi at any time of the day.
Melvin Soh, owner of Toast Hut opened his stall at Old Airport Road in 2007 selling kaya toast with home-brewed traditional coffee.
They have several different bread for you to choose from. You can opt for the traditional crispy bread or french toast.
The best part is, their kaya isn’t overly sweet. So it’s not too jelak.
Toast Hut
Address: 51 Old Airport Rd #01-52, Old Airport Rd Food Centre, Singapore 390051
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 6.30am – 2.00pm, Sun: 6.30am – 12.00pm, Closed on Thursdays
Contact No.: 8125 7729
Website
8. YY Kafei Dian
This coffee shop is a hidden gem that offers authentic Hainanese fare such as chicken rice and Claypot E-fu Noodles.
However, they’re well known for their soft pillowy kaya buns that are perfectly baked in house.
Expect a generous amount of kaya on your buns, topped off with a slab of savoury butter.
YY Kafei Dian
Address: 37 Beach Road #01-01, Singapore 189678
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 9.30pm, Sat – Sun: 8am – 9.30pm
Contact No.: 6336 8813
Website
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(Header Image Source: Burpple User Foodslut_ )
