Here's an oldie but a goodie. For many Singaporeans, this is the breakfast they've grown up with; slices of toasted bread slathered with a thick layer of kaya and topped with a cold pat of butter. Viscosity of the kaya varies from shop to shop as does the thickness, crispness and and texture of the bread. But one thing is for sure, it's usually accompanied by a good cup of kopi and a pair of soft-boiled eggs. These are a few of our favourite things.
Here are five spots where you can get your fill of bread and pandan-coconut jam.
Here are five spots where you can get your fill of bread and pandan-coconut jam.
SEE RELATED: The Breakfast Club: 7 Places For Comforting Congee
Typical Singaporean breakfast to be had at a coffee shop
1. Tong Ah Eating House
35 Keong Saik Road
Opening hours: 7am to 10pm, daily.
It was one of the country's most iconic coffee shops for its location at the pointy in-between of Keong Saik and Teck Lim roads but it has since vacated its prime location for a stall that's – thankfully – just across the street.
An extensive menu is served up all day but what we're really after is their signature crispy toast that's perfectly primed for the kaya, which they claim to be homemade and slow-cooked over a fire for more than ten hours.
2. Coffee Hut
166 Jalan Besar
Opening hours: 7am to 1.30pm, daily. Closed on Saturdays.
It may be called Coffee Hut but its toast deserves a special mention. Unlike Tong Ah's breads that are crispy all-around, Coffee Hut's has a nice crisp to fluff ratio. The secret, the owner shares, is in his use of fresh bread. The result is a toast that's crisp on the outside and beautifully soft and fluffy on the inside.
35 Keong Saik Road
Opening hours: 7am to 10pm, daily.
It was one of the country's most iconic coffee shops for its location at the pointy in-between of Keong Saik and Teck Lim roads but it has since vacated its prime location for a stall that's – thankfully – just across the street.
An extensive menu is served up all day but what we're really after is their signature crispy toast that's perfectly primed for the kaya, which they claim to be homemade and slow-cooked over a fire for more than ten hours.
2. Coffee Hut
166 Jalan Besar
Opening hours: 7am to 1.30pm, daily. Closed on Saturdays.
It may be called Coffee Hut but its toast deserves a special mention. Unlike Tong Ah's breads that are crispy all-around, Coffee Hut's has a nice crisp to fluff ratio. The secret, the owner shares, is in his use of fresh bread. The result is a toast that's crisp on the outside and beautifully soft and fluffy on the inside.
Instead of slices of bread, Chin Mee Chin employs round buns for their toast
3. Chin Mee Chin Confectionary
204 East Coast Road
Opening hours: 8.30am to 4pm, daily. Closed on Mondays.
Kaya toast and homemade cakes are the stars in this old-school confectionary, where practically everything is baked and made in-house. The kaya is thick, creamy and perfectly balanced in flavour. And that's served with some butter on a soft, round buns cut into halves.
204 East Coast Road
Opening hours: 8.30am to 4pm, daily. Closed on Mondays.
Kaya toast and homemade cakes are the stars in this old-school confectionary, where practically everything is baked and made in-house. The kaya is thick, creamy and perfectly balanced in flavour. And that's served with some butter on a soft, round buns cut into halves.
Freshly charred, thick slices of toast
4. YY Kafei Dian
37 Beach Road #01-01
Opening hours: 7.30am to 9.30pm, Mon to Fri. 8am to 9.30pm, Sat & Sun.
Taking fluffy to the next level is YY Kafei Dian's kaya toast. The breads here are baked fresh everyday before getting sliced up for service. They're cut fat, thick and extra pillowy, which really fills you up; just perfect for a good, hearty breakfast.
5. Heap Seng Leong
Blk 10 North Bridge Road, #01-5109
Opening hours: 4am to 8pm, daily.
Stepping into Heap Seng Leong is like stepping into a time portal. A visit to this institution will transport you back to 1950s because much of the coffee shop's facade remains unchanged; the signboard, tiles and cabinets are over over 50 years old.
This legendary outpost has been pushing out kopi gu you (read: coffee with butter) long before bulletproof coffee found its hype. Kaya toast here is a simple affair and like much of its environment, beautifully unpretentious.
37 Beach Road #01-01
Opening hours: 7.30am to 9.30pm, Mon to Fri. 8am to 9.30pm, Sat & Sun.
Taking fluffy to the next level is YY Kafei Dian's kaya toast. The breads here are baked fresh everyday before getting sliced up for service. They're cut fat, thick and extra pillowy, which really fills you up; just perfect for a good, hearty breakfast.
5. Heap Seng Leong
Blk 10 North Bridge Road, #01-5109
Opening hours: 4am to 8pm, daily.
Stepping into Heap Seng Leong is like stepping into a time portal. A visit to this institution will transport you back to 1950s because much of the coffee shop's facade remains unchanged; the signboard, tiles and cabinets are over over 50 years old.
This legendary outpost has been pushing out kopi gu you (read: coffee with butter) long before bulletproof coffee found its hype. Kaya toast here is a simple affair and like much of its environment, beautifully unpretentious.
