If you haven’t been living under an actual rock for the last few years, you’ll know that the matcha craze came to Singapore, dug in its heels, and never left. In the time that it’s captivated the residents of our shores, matcha desserts have popped up everywhere – a simple Instagram search for #matcha turns up cakes, ice cream, even cookies…the possibilities are endless. Like reaching into a magician’s hat and pulling out a string of coloured scarves.
But as everyone knows, matcha desserts can be pretty expensive. So today on Singapore Foodie, we’re going to be introducing you to 10 affordable matcha desserts you can definitely still try even if you’re on a budget – and some of them are pretty unique!
1. Matcha Burnt Cheesecake (Keong Saik Bakery)
You’ve heard of burnt cheesecake, but have you heard of matcha burnt cheesecake? Well, now you have. These slices have that fragrant, smoky aroma while also being luxuriously rich and creamy – and the aromatic bitterness of matcha complements it perfectly. At $8 a slice, it’s not exactly the cheapest matcha dessert around, but it’s worth it for the quality. This just melts in your mouth.
If you like matcha but don’t want to eat a slice that’s entirely tea-flavoured, try the Two-face ($8.50) burnt cheesecake. It’s got a perfectly-balanced mix of original cheesecake creaminess and matcha goodness.
Address: 41 Keong Saik Rd, Singapore 089146
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 5pm (Mon), 7:30am – 8pm (Tue – Fri), 8am – 8pm (Sat – Sun)
2. Matcha Huat Kueh (Mr Bready)
What do you get when you combine a traditional Japanese drink with a traditional Singaporean kueh? Well, matcha huat kueh. This delicious treat is soft, spongy, and packs a surprisingly strong matcha punch. (Looks can be deceiving.) It’s also a much lighter dessert than, say, cake or ice cream, so if you’re eating on a full stomach – or you just want a light teatime snack – this is exactly right for you.
Mr Bready makes all of their huat kueh with sweet potato, and the end result is probably one of the best textures you’ve ever had in a huat kueh. At just $1.30 a pop, these are a steal.
Address: 159 Mei Chin Rd, #02-31 Mei Ling Market, Singapore 140159
Opening Hours: 7am – 2pm (Mon – Sun)
3. Matcha Pearls (Hollin)
It’s a hot summer’s day – as it always is in Singapore – and you can’t decide between a matcha dessert and bubbletea. So what do you get? Obviously bubbletea with matcha pearls.
These pearls are soft, chewy and fresh, slipping down your throat and leaving just a hint of that aromatic matcha sharpness on your tongue. If you want these, though, you should be visiting Hollin on a Tuesday – they offer different pearl flavours every day, so if you miss the matcha ones, you’ll have to wait another week.
Or, y’know, you can always have their Matcha Latte. Mmm.
Address: 190 Toa Payoh Central, #01-538, Singapore 310190
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
4. Matcha Red Bean Mian Jiang Kueh (Munchi Delights)
Here’s another delicious recipe that pairs something more traditional with matcha. Red bean mian jiang kueh isn’t by any means anything new and exciting, but matcha mian jiang kueh with azuki beans? Now we’re talking.
Call it a sort-of Singaporean dorayaki or a sort-of Japanese mian jiang kueh and you’ll be right either way, but the most important thing isn’t what it is, it’s how it tastes. The matcha taste isn’t too strong in this one, so if you like your matcha on the lighter side, you’ll love this. And we all know matcha and red bean is a winning combination, so there’s no need for us to say anything there, is there?
You can get this soft, sweet, chewy deliciousness at just $1.20.
Address: 51 Yishun Ave 11, #01-43 Hawker Centre, Yishun Park, Singapore 768867
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Link(s): Instagram
5. Matcha Egg Tart (Fancy Delight)
We love egg tarts as much as the next food website, but matcha egg tarts? You have our whole hearts. The slight bitterness of the matcha pairs well with the tinge of butteriness in the green pastry shell, and it complements the creamy sweetness of the egg tart pudding perfectly.
You won’t be able to stop just at one, so it’s a good thing these come in boxes of 6. Each box is $9.60 on their online store.
Address: 17 Lorong Kilat, #01-04 Kilat Court, Singapore 598139
Opening Hours: 9am – 7pm (Mon – Sun)
6. Matcha Soft Serve (Tsujiri)
Here’s an oldie but a goldie. Who doesn’t love decadent, sweet, mellow matcha soft serve, especially in Singapore’s hot weather? Tsujiri is serving these at just $4.50. These creamy treats will delight your tongue with their sweet and earthy notes, and you’ll enjoy the crunch of the slightly sweet cone as you finish the ice cream.
For those of you who like your matcha, well, more traditionally matcha-dessert-shaped, this is a classic soft serve that’ll leave you absolutely satisfied.
Address: 6 Eu Tong Sen St, The Central Clarke Quay, #01-74, Singapore 059817
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)
7. Matcha Ah Balling (75 Ah Balling)
75 Ah Balling is famous for its traditional ah balling, which usually has either black sesame or peanut filling. If you go to Bedok 85 often, you’ll probably be aware that they sell yam and red bean ah balling, too. But did you know they do a matcha ah balling? Well, they do.
Most of the desserts on this list are cold (because Singapore weather, what can you do), but this is one matcha dessert that’ll be perfect for a rainy day. Imagine sipping some ginger soup from this bowl and popping one of these sugary mochi treats in your mouth while the rain pours down outside – perfect, yes?
At just over $2, this dessert is worth it – it’ll fill your stomach without emptying your wallet.
Address: Blk, 85 Bedok North Street 4, #01-25, 460085
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:30pm (Sun – Thu), 11:30am – 11:30pm (Fri – Sat)
8. Matcha Pound Cake (Nicher)
We have nothing to say except: matcha pound cake. Seriously. Buttery and thick and moist, with just the right amount of richness, and the earthy aroma of matcha to balance it all out. We don’t know about you, but a slice of this sounds like a slice of heaven right now.
A slice (or a loaf) of this comes topped with Hokkaido azuki beans, and the sweetness cuts through the heavier notes of this pound cake. Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.
Address: 71 Seng Poh Rd, Singapore 160071
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm (Mon – Wed, Fri – Sat)
9. Matcha-Banana Cheese (Markozar)
All right, so you’ve looked at this list so far, and none of the cakes and pastries are appealing to you. Why not go for matcha cheese goreng pisang instead? The combination sounds a little strange, but trust us, it’s amazing. When Markozar was doing bazaars, this was the first thing to sell out every night – it’s a real crowd-pleaser.
The batter is crispy and slightly savoury, and the bananas are great quality, too. At just $5.50 for 4 pieces, this is a good deal for sure.
Address: 160 Teck Whye Lane, Rasa-Rasa, Singapore 680160
Opening Hours: 2:30pm – 11pm (Mon – Sun)
10. Greentea Monster Streusel Muffin (AJ Delights)
This sweet German-inspired muffin has quite a strong matcha flavour, so if that’s up your alley, definitely go for this one. The chocolate chips in it cut the fragrant bitterness a little to balance the tea flavour out, and the delicious streusel on top – the crumbly, sugary topping reminiscent of the outside of a Hong Kong bo lo pau – definitely adds to the sweetness.
The best part? It’s only $2.40.
Address: Blk 120, #01-82 Bukit Merah Lane 1, Alexandra Village Food Centre, 150120
Opening Hours: 9am – 6:30pm (Mon – Sat)
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We hope you enjoyed that list, because we certainly did. Now we’re off to get some matcha-flavoured dessert. Which dessert will you try first?
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