While fast becoming a trend in America and Europe (celebrity chef Nigella Lawson predicts pandan to be the new matcha), pandan has been a long been a mainstay in Southeast Asian cuisine. The tropical plant lends a grassy, nutty vanilla aroma to things, and works well in everything from cake to cocktails.
Below are some pandan creations you can savour in Singapore:
Kueh Salat from Chalk Farm
Chalk Farm’s take on the Kueh Salat, a beloved nyonya delicacy, is not only delicious, it’s also very pretty. Its highlight is its base of sticky rice that’s streaked with fresh butterfly pea extract, giving it a whimsical flair. It’s then topped with a thick layer of custard that’s flavoured with freshly squeezed coconut milk and pandan juice and unevenly textured for a rugged feel. Best of all, it’s free of chemicals and is only made with the freshest ingredients. Only a limited number of cakes are produced so best to call them to reserve a slice, or the whole cake, if you so fancy. Another picturesque cake is its Pandan Berry — four pillowy soft layers of sponges made with freshly extracted pandan juice are layered with fresh cream and topped with fresh berries.
Available at #B1-K24 Paragon, 290 Orchard Road. Tel: 6235-2872 and #B1-83M Parkway Parade, 80 Marine Parade Road. Tel: 6348-2032
Pandan Tart from Tai Cheong Bakery
The pandan tart from this Hong Kong bakery is so green, it’s guaranteed to be a showstopper when you bring it to your next home party. The Singapore-exclusive flavour was first launched in 2017 at its first permanent store in Takashimaya basement but it is now also available at its Cha Chaan Teng at Holland Village. It features an aromatic pandan-infused super smooth egg custard that’s housed in its signature buttery melt-in-your-mouth pastry shell. No preservatives or artificial colouring is used for its vibrant green shade, and only a limited number is baked every day. Best served warm.
#B2 Takashimaya Food Hall, 391 Orchard Road. Tel: 8223-1954 and 31 Lor Liput. Tel: 9828-1954.
Dar Dar Mille Crepe from Sinpopo Brand
The classic Kueh Dadar has been given a new spin by Sinpopo Brand, a brand by the folks behind Awfully Chocolate that’s focused on paying homage to traditional Peranakan culture and cuisine. Its Dar Dar Mille Crepe ($88 for a whole cake) has alternate layers of grated coconut tossed in Gula Melaka with fresh Gula Melaka cream within soft thin Pandan crepe sheets. Sinpopo also has a gorgeous Pandan Kaya Cake ($48 per cake) that’s tantamount to an art piece — slow-cooked fragrant kaya custard is housed between blue pea flower-tinged glutinous rice cake layers that’s covered with a smooth layer of cream.
458 Joo Chiat Rd. Tel: 6345-5034
Pandan Crumble ice cream from Merely Ice Cream
Merely Ice Cream’s special pandan infused ice cream is made with fresh pandan leaves and topped with house-made salted coconut crumble. The result: A well-balanced sweet and savoury mouthfeel that’s a refreshing treat, thanks to the icy rich creaminess that’s punctuated with a crunchy aftertaste. It’s not readily available in store because it was a special flavour concocted for Chinese New Year, but good news: You can call in or email to pre-order and get yourself a tub ($10.90).
#01-13 Sunshine Plaza, 91 Bencoolen Street. Tel: 6238-0890 and B1-52 Our Tampines Hub, 1 Tampines Walk
Gula Melaka Pandan Cake from Joe & Dough
Joe & Dough’s Gula Melaka Pandan Cake is a crowd favourite and has been a staple offering at this bakery chain since 2014 (fun fact: it was created to celebrate Singapore’s 49th birthday). Its breads, pastries and cakes are handcrafted by its bakers and baked freshly daily, according to Joe & Dough, and only the freshest ingredients are used. This scrumptious cake is no different. A fragrant pandan infused butter cake is slathered with Gula Melaka and then topped with desiccated coconut. A slice of perfection that’s made better when paired with a cup of coffee.
#02-K1 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road. Tel: 9728-5576 and other locations
Singapore Kaya Pandan cake from d‘Good Cafe
There are kaya pandan cakes and then there’s this kaya pandan cake ($8) from d‘Good Cafe. Soft and moist pandan sponge cake that is made with fresh pandan juice is encased in a rich, creamy and gorgeously smooth kaya mousse before it is topped with a layer of kaya jam. The pièce de résistance is the generous sprinkle of house-made coconut crumble for added fragrance and crunch. We can’t wax lyrical enough about this decadent creation. Created by its pastry chef Susy, it sounds simple but delivers such a flavourful, heavenly kick with each mouthful that we think it is one of the best kaya pandan cakes we’ve ever tried — and trust us, we’ve tried quite a few.
#B1-56 Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Road. Tel: 6694-1411
Jade Bangle cocktail from Violet Oon
The grande dame of Singaporean cooking is known for her bold and innovative approach when it comes to her dishes, many of which have a strong Peranakan influence. Her most interesting dish yet comes in a cocktail glass. The Jade Bangle ($18, available at Violet Oon Singapore Satay Bar & Grill only) is made with aromatic house-made pandan essence, lemak coconut milk and Ketel One Vodka before it is finished with a salted, toasted coconut rim. It goes down smoothly and easily, and in fact, is so addictive, we don’t think you’d stop at one. Violet Oon also serves a mean Pandan Gula Melaka Cake ($13, available at Violet Oon Singapore at Ion Orchard and Jewel Changi), which comprises a light and airy sponge cake infused with fresh pandan juice and layers of buttercream frosting and dessicated coconut tossed in a gula melaka syrup. The smooth brown glaze on top is Insta-worthy, just saying.
#01-18, 3B River Valley Rd, Clarke Quay. Tel: 9834-9935
RELATED:
Durian season in Singapore: a world beyond mao shan wang