Waking up in Singapore

In late 2006, The Sunday Times wrote “plain kaya toast is so passe”. Not at all I say. Long before then, on my first trip to Singapore, I discovered this traditional breakfast, best enjoyed in a set with coddled eggs and kopi (Malay for coffee – served with sweet milk). Now, every time I’m in Singapore, a kaya toast set is the way I like to start my day.

For those who’ve never enjoyed the coconut jam kaya, I think it is best when its served lusciously thick between thick white toast offset with a good slab of cold salty butter. On the side are coddled – or as they say in Singapore half cooked – eggs. Hot water is poured over the eggs – as they sit in their serving dish – to kick start the cooking. I like to leave my eggs in the shell until my kaya toast and kopi is ready. Then I crack them open – ready for dipping my toast, or to scoop up with a spoon. Locals can be observed adding soy sauce to the eggs.

Kaya toast is available all around Singapore. On this trip, I discovered another chain Toast Box where I’ve been making regular visits to start my day. Mr Tan of Toast Box not only prepared my eggs and kaya toast but also pulled my coffee with the traditional pouring technique. Tossing the beverage from one cup to another is also popular for tea (teh).

My first discovery way back when was at the widely available Ya Kun Kaya Toast chain – established as a coffee stand in 1944. The history is on the wall of each store, and if you’re a visitor to Singapore it is a worthwhile stop off just to read the story.

There are many other options for Kaya Toast in Singapore – as it is available at other specialty stores like Toast @ Work, and other coffee shops. Heads or Tails (a master franchise from Bangkok) at Tang’s Food Hall offers a Thai-style kaya.

CNN recommends for the best kaya toast in Singapore to try Killeney Kopitiam, Tong Ah Coffee Shop, YY Kafei Dian, Chin Mee Chin Coffee Shop and Good Morning Nanyang Cafe.

Taking kaya to the next level, Chef Craig Schantz was inspired by kaya toast at Toast Box. He’s just introduced Salt and Foie Gras, Toasted Brioche, Kaya and House Jam on the menu at The Dining Room, Tanjung Club, Singapore.

The Dining Room,
Tanjung Beach Club
120, Tanjong Beach Walk. Sentosa, Singapore
+65 6270 1355