Mei Heong Yuen Has Been Selling Traditional Desserts In Chinatown Since 2002—Here’s Our Review

Mei Heong Yuen Dessert has traditional desserts in Chinatown

When it comes to traditional desserts in Singapore, Mei Heong Yuen Dessert in Chinatown is practically a household name. With a history dating back to the 1950s, the dessert shop has amassed over 2,800 Google reviews at the time of writing, along with an almost always-packed storefront. Fun fact: it’s also recognised as one of the “Singapore Chinatown Heritage Brands” by the Chinatown Business Association!

FYI:  The dessert brand first started producing and selling groundnuts and snacks in Malaysia in the 1940s, before expanding to Singapore in the 1950s, where they built the widely recognised Farmer Brand peanuts. In 2002, the second-generation owners—sisters Connie and Clara Lee—took the family legacy a step further by opening their flagship dessert shop on Temple Street in Chinatown, this time with a focus on Cantonese dessert pastes and Taiwanese shaved snow ice. 

Curious about the hype, my colleague and I dropped by on a Thursday afternoon to find out if the long queues at this popular dessert shop were truly justified.

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Food at Mei Heong Yuen Dessert

The menu here is straightforward, with a single laminated sheet listing traditional desserts on one side and shaved ice options on the other. Each dessert is accompanied by photos, so there’s no need for guesswork.

We went for the Almond Black Glutinous Rice ($4.50), a classic you can’t skip at any Chinese dessert place. You can also add toppings from $1, with options such as lychee, longan, ginkgo, and ice cream.

While the menu promises a striking yin-and-yang presentation of almond paste swirled with black glutinous rice, what arrived was a plain white bowl that didn’t quite live up to those visuals. The pulut hitam was sparse, and you’d have to dig around for each bite—this was a shame, since the black glutinous rice added an earthy sweetness that balanced out the richness of the almond paste.

That said, I enjoyed how the almond paste itself was thick and smooth. Some renditions can taste cloying or artificial—almost like cough syrup—but this one was pleasantly nutty with a cherry-like note. If I were to come back, I’d probably get the almond paste on its own.

I loved Bubur Cha Cha ($4) growing up, so I didn’t hesitate to order it here. Unfortunately, Mei Heong Yuen’s version didn’t quite hit the spot. The sweetness was overwhelming, to the point where even sipping the coconut milk was a lot to handle. The base also leaned watery—I was hoping for a thicker, more velvety texture.

That said, the bowl came loaded with chunky sweet potato and taro cubes, so much so that I was full after just one bowl. 

I wished there were more coconut jelly bits for a chewy contrast, and if they dialled back on the sugar, this would have been a decent bowl of bubur cha cha.

After that, I found myself reaching for the Cheng Tng ($4) to cleanse my palate. Mei Heong Yuen’s version had all the classic components: lotus seeds, longan, barley, white fungus, and dried longan.

Ours came slightly on the sweeter side, and I personally would have preferred crushed ice bits mixed in—similar to what you’d find at Ye Lai Xiang Cheng Tng—to mellow out the sweetness and add a more refreshing texture. It was still a solid rendition of a timeless classic, nonetheless, so no complaints here.

Our favourite dessert had to be the Mango Roll ($5). We were expecting some kind of sweet chee cheong fun, but what arrived was thick mango slices wrapped in silky coconut meat, almost like a burrito.

I liked how the dessert was simple yet addictive, with au naturale flavours that really shone through. Wrestling it with chopsticks because of the slippery coconut meat was half the battle—but absolutely worth it.

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Ambience at Mei Heong Yuen Dessert

Step inside Mei Heong Yuen and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time. The shophouse setting is simple and no-frills; you’ll spot the old-school signage even before you walk in. Inside, it looks exactly what you’d expect from a Chinese dessert shop with wooden furnishings, plastic stools—nothing too fancy. The space is more spacious than it looks from the outside and is fully air-conditioned, providing a welcome relief from the Singapore heat.

We visited the dessert shop on a weekday afternoon and had no trouble getting a seat, though the shop tends to get more crowded in the evenings when the post-dinner crowd trickles in. Payment is cash or PayNow only, so come prepared. 

Mei Heong Yuen Dessert is about a five-minute walk from Chinatown MRT Station.

Mei Heong Yuen Dessert – Eatbook review

I can see the appeal of Mei Heong Yuen Dessert with its variety of traditional desserts and relatively affordable prices, especially for a touristy area. Not everything was a home run, but it’s definitely a place that comes to mind when I’m in Chinatown and craving Chinese desserts. At these prices, it’s an easy way to explore old-school Singaporean desserts in a space that genuinely feels like a piece of history, and a no-brainer if you’ve got tourist friends visiting Singapore. 

For more good food in the area, read our Chinatown food guide. If you enjoy visiting cafes, read our guide to affordable cafes in Chinatown with mains under $20.

Address: 63-67 Temple Street, #63-67, Singapore 058611
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 9:30pm
Tel: 6221 1156
Website
Mei Heong Yuen Dessert is not halal-certified.

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Photos taken by Nivian Chiang.
This was an independent review by Eatbook.sg