8 places for kaya toast in Singapore for an authentic Singaporean breakfast
There is something about the aromatic scent and taste of kaya toast in Singapore, that sends Singaporeans into a frenzy.
Not only does kaya (a type of coconut jam) smell good, it also tastes heavenly when paired with a thick cube of butter and crispy toast. It is the perfect balance of sweet and savoury, so it’s not a wonder why it’s so beloved by all.
We know how easily accessible kaya toast is these days, with established places such as Ya Kun Kaya Toast or Killiney Kopitiam serving consistently delicious renditions islandwide. Still, if you’re looking for humble, underrated options, or eateries that deliver a different variation, we’re here to help.
To reignite your appreciation and love for this classic Singaporean breakfast dish, we’ve compiled a list of small, independent coffee stalls making kaya toast in Singapore, in traditional or unique ways.
1. Heng Heng Coffee Stall
Bukit Merah View Hawker Centre, 01-23 ,115 Bukit Merah View
Open: Monday to Sunday (4am to 9pm)
Why visit? Aside from a very enticing burnt top, the toast at Heng Heng Coffee Stall comes with thick, generous slabs of butter that has us salivating. The kaya has a pastel-green appearance and is touted to be less sweet.
On top of that, the drinks at Heng Heng Coffee Stall has earned itself a steady stream of patrons. We thoroughly enjoyed the homemade ice lemon tea (S$1.50) that’s shaken in a cocktail shaker and the iced kopi (S$1.50).
Price range: $
Crowd faves: Our pick goes to the bun with kaya butter spread (S$1.60). The yellow tinged bun was sweet, giving the kaya and butter combination a unique flavour. Heng Heng Coffee Stall gave so much butter that the mild kaya flavour was slightly overpowered. An easy fix, as you could kindly request more kaya.
2. Slow Bakes
Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre, 30A Yishun Central 1
Open: Monday to Sunday (7am to 2pm)
Why visit? Unwind at the scenic Slow Bakes with its panoramic views overlooking the waterfront. The bakery-cafe is perfect for those who enjoy variety because of its wide selection of toast and spreads that can be paired together. Though it’s a little pricier than the other options on our list, the views are well worth the price.
Price range: $
Crowd faves: It’s definitely interesting to see how a modern cafe selling naturally leavened bakes interprets traditional items such as the kaya spread. The kaya here is homemade and on the sweeter side. The toast (S$2.80) can be concocted by pairing sourdough slices, brioche buns, matcha loaves or more with its available spreads. Add on an additional S$4.50 for soft-boiled eggs and a drink.
3. Heap Seng Leong
10 North Bridge Road, 01-5109
Open: Monday to Sunday (5am to 4pm)
Why visit? With its marble-topped tables and colourful plastic chairs, Heap Seng Leong brings you a step back into the 80s for that traditional breakfast in Singapore.
This rustic coffee shop is a fan favourite for many things aside from kaya toast in Singapore, for good reason. It is one of the few stalls in Singapore that still serves Kopi Butter (S$1.30), or Kopi Gu You — local coffee served with a dollop of cold butter.
Price range: $
Crowd faves: Unlike more popular household names, the kaya toast (S$1.40) at Heap Seng Leong is made with thick chunks of fluffy white bread. The result is a lightly-grilled, pillow-soft toast that’s slathered in Hainanese kaya and topped with cold butter.
4. You & Me Coffee
Block 16 Bedok South Market & Food Centre, 01-49, 16 Bedok South Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (5am to 8.30pm)
Why visit? If you’re a fan of kaya toast in Singapore, in all its shapes and forms, you ought to pay You & Me Coffee a visit. The eatery serves the kaya-butter concoction in the form of a biscuit-sandwich (S$1.20), a traditional toasted bread (S$1.60), an open-faced toast (S$1.60), a sandwich (S$1.60), a stout and fluffy bread (S$1.60) and in a french baguette (S$2.20). That’s a lot of ways.
Price range: $
Crowd faves: The traditional bread set (S$3.60) with its two toasts, two half-boiled eggs and a hot drink would make a satisfying breakfast. If you prefer the softness of a thick bun but can’t resist the crisp exterior either, you may find yourself leaning towards the kaya butter bun set (S$3.60). It consists of a cute mini loaf-like bread sliced into two with a dollop of kaya and butter on top.
5. Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee
Amoy Street Food Centre, 02-95, 7 Maxwell Road
Open: Saturday to Wednesday (5.30am to 3pm)
Why visit? Being a Michelin-recommended coffee stall, Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee predictably draws long queues for being one of the best kaya toast in Singapore. After all, who can resist the fresh green hue and silky texture of the Nyonya kaya served at Ah Seng (Hai Nam) coffee?
Price range: $
Crowd faves: While many stand by the traditional charcoal-grilled bread toast (S$2.40) and egg (S$1.60) combo, we recommend going for the french toast (S$4) that’s served alongside a big helping of its signature homemade kaya. The slightly charred bread alongside the vibrant green paste will have you drooling at the sight of it.
6. Chin Mee Chin
204 East Coast Road
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (8am to 4pm)
Why visit? Chin Mee Chin has history dating back to the 1920s and is routinely patronised by Singaporeans for its vibrant, old-school aesthetic. It is also easily one of those eateries that are top of mind when you think of where to eat kaya toast in Singapore.
With its sole focus on pastries and breads, the toast is expectedly the star of the show. Unlike most places, the kaya toast here is served on discs of toasted buns.
Price range: $
Crowd faves: The kaya toast set (S$5.20) and other traditional items such as the luncheon meat bun (S$2.20) or hae bee hiam bun (S$2.40) are must-tries at this charming little shop.
7. Sen Yen Charcoal Traditional Toast
Jin Fa Kopitiam, 01-51, 24 Sin Ming Road
Open: Monday to Friday (7am to 9pm), Saturday and Sunday (5.30am to 5pm)
Why visit? As alluded to by its name, Sen Yen Charcoal Traditional Toast in Singapore takes great pride in its use of charcoal grilling to give its toast a unique char. This traditional method is hardly seen these days and certainly evokes a sense of poignant nostalgia in Singaporean diners. As a bonus, the stall is extremely generous with its thick slabs of butter.
Price range: $
Crowd faves: Most people prefer the French toast (S$1.40) because of the denser bread texture — it lends a softness that contrasts with the toast’s crisp edges. This tends to get sold out quickly though, so you can always go for its kaya butter toast (S$1.40) to get a taste of its sweet and fragrant kaya.
8. Coffee Queen
81 Telok Blangah Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (5am to 5pm)
84 Marine Parade Central, 01-11
Open: Monday to Sunday (6.45am to 6pm)
Why visit? If you’re someone who pays equal attention to your kaya toast, half-boiled eggs and drink of choice, you wouldn’t be disappointed with the offerings at Coffee Queen. While it’s most well known for its drinks, especially its rich and thick coffee, the set meal is a very affordable S$3.40.
Price range: $
Crowd faves: The toast here is rectangular with a crispy exterior. If you get the set meal, its filling can be customised to whatever you prefer, be it kaya and butter, peanut and kaya, or others.
For more ideas on what to eat, read our stories on food spots in Clarke Quay and BHC Chicken.
You can book a ride to all kaya toast in Singapore stores mentioned above.
Gaelmaine Hoong
Author
Gael comes from a family of picky eaters and she also likes to talk a lot. So, writing about food seems like a reasonable pastime for her.
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