5 Best Kaya Toast in Singapore to Eat Like a Local

Written by Sarah Ong | June 19, 2024

Image: Ya Kun Kaya Toast

1. Ya Kun Kaya Toast

Image: Ya Kun Kaya Toast

Address

18 China Street, Far East Square #01-01, Singapore 049560

Phone

+65 64383638

Opening hours

Mon to Fri 07:30 – 18:30
Sat & Sun 08:30 – 17:00

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Started its business in the 1920s, Ya Kun Kaya Toast is one of the richest history and most popular kaya toast chain in Singapore with more than 40 outlets across the country

Highlights:

More than 40 outlets, conveniently located across Singapore: With outlets sprout up at most of the major shopping centres across Singapore, Ya Kun Kaya Toast is the most accessible kaya toast destination for tourists to experience a Singaporean style breakfast or for locals to have a fix of kaya toast.
Charcoal grilled toast at the original outlet: To experience the toast grilled in an original way by the “original men” of this brand at its original location, make your way to Ya Kun outlet at Far East Square. In its nostalgic atmosphere, members of the Loi family still prepare breakfasts for people enthusiastically.
Value Set Meal, a good start for first-timers: Ya Kun’s Value Sets feature the traditional way of eating Singaporean breakfast. In that way, the toast never goes alone; it is perfectly complemented by soft-boiled eggs and a hot drink of coffee or tea. Start your day with this kind of breakfast set, you will be delighted and given energy for the whole day.
Ya Kun Kaya Jar, designed to be brought home as a souvenir: Fall in love with this kind of jam? You can bring it home to experience the Singaporean breakfast once again or give it to your friends like a piece of culture of the Lion city.

THE TOAST: The toast at Ya kun is very thin and crispy, thinner than its counterpart’s and crispy as the way crackers are.

THE EGGS: Ya Kun’s soft-boiled eggs are done with consistent quality from outlet to outlet. Those hot eggs are cracked before serving.

ATMOSPHERE: Most of the Ya Kun outlets have a retro ambience while the original one at Far East Square still retains its vintage interior. People love Far East Square outlet most as the old-school charm exists on every corner of the shop.

MENU: Ya Kun’s menu mainly focuses on value sets and traditional favorites like Kaya Peanut Toast, Cheese Toast with Kaya, and Butter Sugar Toast. Besides, the menu also features all-day sides and Asian signature dishes such as Mee Siam, Laksa, and Mee Rebus.

AVERAGE PRICE/PAX: S$5

2. Killiney Kopitiam

Image: Killiney Kopitiam

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Killiney Kopitiam is the oldest Hainanese coffee shop in Singapore. Today, this famous coffee shop has become a kaya toast chain with outlets in Singapore and overseas.

Highlights:

Singapore’s second-largest kaya toast chain with more than 20 outlets nationwide: Killiney Kopitiam outlets are conveniently located at popular locations to cater for both locals and tourists.
The longest history Hainanese coffee shop in Singapore: Founded in 1919, Killiney Kopitiam has been around for almost a century. The original outlet at Killiney Road has stood there since its establishment, and still retains the typical look of a Singapore’s coffee shop in colonial times.
Killiney Kopitiam’s kaya, a strong-egg-flavour version: Made with the right sweetness level and the abundance of eggs, Killiney Kopitiam’s kaya turns out as a good choice for egg lovers. Kaya jars are available to be taken away.
Hainanese style coffee with authentic flavour: Want to have a true taste of Hainanese style coffee? Have it at the original outlet of Killiney Kopitiam. The quality now still lives up to the standard set by Mr. Ah Gong, who has spent 54 years of his life in brewing coffee.
Available at Changi Airport, spreading from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3: Those who want to say “hello” or “goodbye” to the Lion city in a Singaporean unique way, visit Killiney Kopitiam outlets at Changi Airport for a taste of Singapore must-try food. Delicious and affordable kaya toast can be grabbed as a quick bite for on-the run-passengers.

MENU: Killiney Kopitiam has a small and basic menu with items served as a breakfast or snack. Diners can find bread toast, French toast, half-boiled eggs as well as mee siam, laksa, and curry chicken on its menu. The toast slices at Killiney Kopitiam are thicker than its counterparts’.

AVERAGE PRICE PER PAX: S$5

LOCATIONS:
@ Killiney Road
Address: 67 Killiney Road, Singapore 239525
Tel: 6734 9648 / 6734 3910
Opening hours:

Mon & Wed to Sat: 06:00 – 23:00
Tue, Sun & PH: 06:00 – 18:00

@ Changi Airport Terminal 1
Address: Unit #03-48, Departure/Transit Lounge East
Opening hours: 24/7

@ Changi Airport Terminal 1
Address: #02-K08, Departure Transit Lounge West
Opening hours: 24/7

@ Changi Airport Terminal 2
Address: Departure/Transit Lounge Central, Kiosk M, (Level 2)
Tel: 6542 5898
Opening hours: 24/7

@ Changi Airport Terminal 3
Address: Departure/Transit Lounge North, #03-07 Mezzanine Level

@ Upper East Coast
Address: 11 Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 455205
Tel: 6443 7628
Fax: 6443 3482
Opening hours: Daily 07:00 – 23:00

@ Sim Lim Square
Address: 1 Rochor Canal Road, #02-10 Sim Lim Square, S188504
Tel: 63389472
Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 19:00

@ Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
Address: 50 Tanah Merah Ferry Road, #01-02/25 Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
Tel: 6587 5300
Opening hours: Daily 06:00 – 20:00

@ Lorong Telok
Address: 11 Lorong Telok (Off Circular Rd), Singapore 049024
Tel/ Fax: 6532 2889
Opening hours:

Mon to Fri: 06:00 – 20:00
Sat, Sun & PH: 06:00 – 18:00

@ Purvis Street
Address: 30 Purvis Street, Singapore 188607
Tel: 63377656
Opening hours:

Mon to Sat: 07:00 – 22:30
Sun & PH: 07:00 – 19:00

@ Orchard (Lucky Plaza)
Address: 304 Orchard Road, # 01-10 Lucky Plaza, S238863
Tel: 6735 7080
Opening hours: Daily 07:00 – 19:00

3. Good Morning Nanyang Cafe

Image: Katrina.alana

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Good Morning Nanyang Cafe just came onto the scene of kaya toast in 2005, but this coffee shop quickly became a popular kaya toast destination for both locals and tourists. Its flagship outlet at Telok Ayer Hong Lim Green Community Centre is in operation no more but diners still can have a taste of Good Morning Nanyang Cafe’s unique flavors at its franchise outlets.

Highlights:

Kaya toast with a twist: Good Morning Nanyang Cafe adds a new flavor and value to the world of kaya toast by creating its own style. Go out of the usual way, this young establishment uses ciabatta, an Italian type of bread, in its recipes to introduce diners to a new enjoyable version of kaya toast.
Orange ciabatta kaya toast, a start dish at Good Morning Nanyang Cafe: Great texture, taste, and fragrance make this dish impressive. The ciabatta is slightly toasted, leaving the outer layer crispy and the inside soft. It becomes delightful when a hint of caramelized orange peel is added to complement the kaya and butter in a fresh and unique way.
A kaya recipe from Segamat: Good Morning Nanyang Cafe’s kaya is different yet dazzling. Its grainy texture won’t decrease the level of enjoyment but works like a vehicle for holding all the best flavours to give the palate the strongest dose in one single bite. This green and not-too-sweet kaya is freshly made every day at the shops, following a secret recipe of an old man from Segamat.
One of the best traditional coffee in Singapore: Both black coffee and coffee with condensed milk are aromatic and strong in the way traditional coffee should be. Use it as a life-saver to keep you awake.

MENU: Besides the regular ciabatta kaya toast, orange ciabatta kaya toast and half-boiled eggs served as breakfast and snack, Good Morning Nanyang Cafe also offers other options for lunch like curry chicken, curry chee cheong fun, chicken stew with rice, and Nasi Lemak.

AVERAGE PRICE PER PAX: S$4

LOCATIONS:
@ Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road, #02-23 Far East Plaza, Singapore, Singapore 228213

@ Maxwell Chambers
32 Maxwell Rd, Singapore 069115