Gwen’s Frozen Custard & Ices: Singapore’s first American malt shop opens at Joo Chiat

There’s a new retro-themed griddle and dessert parlour at Joo Chiat: Gwen’s Frozen Custard & Ices, that you have to add to your list of must-visit spots in Singapore. 

It recently opened on April 26. 

And no, it’s not your run-of-the-mill cafe. It’s an American malt shop, fashioned after old-school American diners of the 1950s.

At its helm is impassioned American Erin Nash, who worked at diners and restaurants during the summer holidays, when he was growing up.

From winter and zombies, to custard and ices

Before Erin founded Gwen’s Frozen Custard & Ices, he was an accomplished visual effects supervisor in New York, with over a decade of experience in the field. 

He worked on various cult-favourite television shows such as Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead and Westworld. 

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Erin moved to Singapore with his wife — a Singaporean — so she could be closer with her family, while continuing his work in visual effects.

But the stark 12-hour time difference meant that Erin wasn’t able to spend as much time as he’d liked with his wife. 

When his daughter Gwen was born last year, Erin got the eventual push he needed to leave his job and devote all his time to his family, instead. 

Eight months later, Erin launched Gwen’s Frozen Custard & Ices — lovingly named after his beloved child — where he can share his American heritage (and precious memories of working as a short cook in his youth) with his daughter. 

That’s why the spot is very much designed to be a nostalgic blast from the past. 

It’s retrofitted in charming pastel shades, with pink — a nod to his daughter’s favourite colour — and white stripes on the walls, and checkered tiles on the floor.

Vintage memorabilia and hand-painted menu boards also add to the whimsical feel of the place. It truly feels as though you’ve stepped into a funky 1950s diner. 

On why Erin chose to open the shop at Joo Chiat, he says he fell in love with the neighbourhood when he came to Singapore. 

“It reminds me of Williamsburg in Brooklyn,” he recalls, smiling. “Lots of really hip and cool spots with diversity, food and culture.”

What’s on the menu? 

With Gwen’s Frozen Custard & Ices, Erin brings a slice of America’s best — grilled cheese sandwiches, cheesesteaks, custards and the like — to the streets of Joo Chiat. Essentially, classic dishes hailing from New York and Philadelphia, prepared from scratch.

On the menu is Erin’s take on beloved, tried-and-true American recipes — items such as the iconic Philly cheesesteak (S$16) and NYC cheeseburger (S$15).

Erin takes great pride in his Philly cheesesteak, which he proudly prepares “the right way” — how the locals make it. 

“You can’t just put any ol’ beef — it has to be high-quality,” he explains. “It also has to be Cheese Whiz or American cheese; no other sauce will do.”

“It has to be made the way that we do in Philadelphia — chopped on the griddle, with onions, proper cheese and steak meat,” Erin adds. 

Erin’s iteration sees minced bits of premium ribeye, caramelised onions and melty cheese on a fluffy bun that’s oh-so-hearty. Every bite is a burst of savoury flavours in your mouth, and the cloud-like bun beneath sops up all the rich umami juices nicely.

The NYC cheeseburger is another hearty decadence, made with Erin’s special grind of premium beef. He handpicks fresh ingredients to complement the patty, ensuring utmost quality and flavour in each burger. 

While it may look simple, the R&D process involved in refining the recipe is anything but. It took him months of trial-and-error to perfect the taste and texture of the burger, to get it “just right”. 

You can also enjoy your mains with sides such as the crispy cottage fries (S$7), house pickle (S$2) or hearty tomato soup (S$5.50).

For desserts, there’s the Philadelphia Water Ice (from S$4.50) that comes in six tangy flavours, such as strawberry, peach, mango and more. You can think of it as a cross between a sorbet and a slushie, and is made from sugar, water and fruits. 

For an extra S$3.50, you can also opt to add frozen custard (essentially a creamier, silkier sibling to ice cream) with a choice of three flavours: Vanilla, chocolate or coffee.

It’s the ultimate indulgence on a hot day. Much like a parfait, Gwen’s velvety frozen custard is carefully layered underneath tart and refreshing Philadelphia Water Ice.

If you’re heading down, Gwen’s Frozen Custard & Ices is running an opening deal until May 31, where every purchase of the Philadelphia water ice (regardless of size) will net you another one for free.

This was an invited tasting.

For the latest eats, read about Australia’s famous Gelato Messina along Club Street, and Spanish izakaya concept Humo at Keong Saik. Alternatively, check out the newest openings in Singapore here. 

Enjoy up to 50% off when you dine with GrabFood Dine Out. 

Book a ride to check out Gwen’s Frozen Custard & Ices at Joo Chiat.