Always been curious about durian but never dared to try it? These tantalising snacks are a good way to kickstart your love affair with the spiky green fruit. They are also mild enough for picky taste buds!
No matter the season, Singaporeans are always excited about anything durian. At HoneyKids HQ, we’re always ready to try new things and excited about local cuisine and hawker food. However, this particular fruit has caused something of a split in opinion…
To durian, or not to durian? These HoneyKids Mums dish!
Syaz, mum of two and durian fan
I love durian! You may call my palate ‘basic’ because I’m a huge fan of rich, creamy durians like the popular Mao Shan Wang and D24 varieties. Durian-flavoured sweets and pastries can be a hit or a miss though, so I only favour the real thing, or desserts that use pure durian puree for the truest form of the king of fruits. My husband absolutely loathes it but luckily my kids have inherited my love for durian. Of course as with most things, we eat durian in moderation. But when the craving hits, it hits hard!
Tracy, mum of three and durian cynic
Honestly, I am so baffled by the love for this stinky, revolting fruit. I just DON’T GET IT! I can just about get past the smell, but the taste? No, no, no! I tried it once, way back when I first arrived, and the horror is still with me ten years on. It made me retch, and I’ve never been able to tempt myself again. Bleugh. Sorry! If it’s any consolation, I feel the same about papaya…
Dawn, mum of two and durian connoisseur
I’ve grown up eating durians, and I prefer the bittersweet flavour as opposed to other species like the crunchy Thai durians, Monthong. When we were younger, after eating the durian, we would put a little water and salt in the shell, mix it around and drink it straight from the shell! It’s supposed to soothe the tummy. But loving durian doesn’t always run in the family. My daughter, Gemma, is a child of modern times, but she loves the smell and taste, while my eldest, Tessa, can’t stand it.
When is durian season in Singapore?
For lovers of this thorny fruit, durian season in Southeast Asia feels like nature’s big party during the rainy season! The air is filled with the “aroma” of this infamous fruit. Here are the seasonal periods across Southeast Asia:
- Thailand: April to August
- Malaysia: June to August, with a secondary season in October to December
- Indonesia: June to August
- Philippines: August to November
Here’s the twist: lately, this party’s been getting longer! Why? Well, climate change has been mixing things up. That’s not all; farmers have been upping their fruit-growing game, and new durian varieties are joining the celebration. With high demand, especially from our durian-loving friends in China, the party never ends and it’s actually possible to enjoy durian all-year-long. So, while it’s fantastic news for durian fans, let’s not forget the challenges of keeping this polarising fruit sustainable.
Durian 101: Types of durian and how to identify fresh durian
How to identify the freshest and ripest durians in Singapore
- Squeeze the thorns. Soft = ripe.
- Shake it to hear if the fruit has detached from the inner walls
- The most obvious thing is if you can smell it before seeing it.
Tips on how to purchase prepared ones that come in the box
- Colour: If you prefer a more bitter taste, go for the durians with ‘whiter’ flesh. If you prefer them sweet, choose the yellowish or the rarer red or orange flesh.
- Type of durian: Famous durian types include Mao Shan Wang (Cat Mountain King or King of Cat Mountain), XO, D24, Hei Zhen Zhu (Black Pearl) and Sultan Durian. Our pick is Hong Xia (Red Prawn), which has a more reddish flesh and a sweeter, milkier texture.
- Where is it from? Even if the durians aren’t from famous durian plantations like Tiger Hill or ‘ma bo’ Muar, your next best bet is that they come from a ‘lao shu’ or old tree that’s borne fruit more than once. Not a guarantee of taste, but still worth knowing so you can look out for them.
Where to buy durian in Singapore
1. Wet markets with durian near you
Not sure when durians are in season? You’ll know once you start spotting the thorny fruits at your nearby wet market! Fruit stalls often offer durians if they’re in season, so keep and eye out at your local pasar for an easy way to try durian if the craving hits.
2. Durian Empire: Durian shop in Punggol
This iconic durian stall in Punggol Plaza sells every durian type from Mao Shan Wang to Blackthorn, Red Prawn and even the recently popular Tupai King! Delivery is also available via Facebook Messenger or orders through their website, with a box of 400g D13 durian priced from $23.
Durian Empire, Punggol Plaza, 168 Punggol Field, Basement 1 Atrium, Singapore 820168
3. 99 Old Trees: Durian cafe serving fresh durian & durian desserts
Located near Outram, 99 Old Trees is the perfect spot to enjoy both fresh durian and durian desserts in a cafe setting! On the menu you’ll find durian cendol, Mao Shan Wang shortcake, durian puffs, and even a tasting platter of different types of durian so you can get your fill of the delicious fruit! 99 Old Trees also offers delivery of fresh and frozen durian, and durian parties can even be arranged.
99 Old Trees, 1 Teo Hong Road, Singapore 088321
4. Durian 36 Delivery: Durian stall in Geylang with delivery
Not only will you get fresh durian here, but Durian 36 Delivery also has all kinds of tropical fruit like mangosteens and rambutan for you to try or take home! Fun fact: Robert Irwin also recently tried durian at this stall – you’ll have to watch the video for his honest reaction to trying durian for the first time! Durian 36 Delivery also delivers for free, with the option to top up for express delivery.
Durian 36 Delivery, 608 Geylang Road Lorong 36, Singapore 389547
5. Golden Moments: Durian cafe with durian platters and desserts
Arguably one of the poshest durian brands in Singapore (think swanky cafe with durian towers, desserts, savoury durian dishes and drinks!) Golden Moments is, well, the gold standard when it comes to durian! They even have a VIP membership which entitles you to benefits like free durian, fresh durian sold at cost, vouchers and more.
Golden Moments, 779 N Bridge Rd, #01-01, Singapore 198747
6. Sindy Durian: Durian stall in Whampoa, open till late
Craving for durian near the stroke of midnight? You can still dash down to Sindy Durian in Whampoa to snap up some fresh durian! They’ve also ventured into offering durian desserts like mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival and durian rolls, so keep and eye out for those the next time the season rolls around.
Sindy Durian, 89 Whampoa Drive, #01-835, Singapore 320089
7. Combat Durian: Durian stall in Balestier
Customers love Combat Durian for its high quality selection of Mao Shan Wang and Blackthorn durians from Malaysia. Keep up with them on Facebook and they even detail the exact timings you can expect the fresh drops to arrive at their store! Orders and delivery also available via WhatsApp.
Combat Durian, 206 Rangoon Road, Singapore 218452
22 best durian desserts in Singapore
Not everyone is on board with durians, and that’s fine. But whether you’re a veteran durian lover or a first-timer, there are places where you can get your durian fix – in more ways than one. We’ve looked into some of the best places serving up this love-it-or-hate-it fruit to see if we can change perceptions. Or, at the very least, maybe we can expand our kids’ gastronomical horizons.
1. Durian cheesecake from The Durian Bakery
One of the food obsessions that transpired during circuit breaker (remember those times?) was the basque burnt cheesecake. This bakery elevated that by infusing real Mao Shan Wang durian core into the cheesecake. Cream cheese and durians – that’s two very strong flavours in one dish. If you want something that neutralises the strong durian taste, perhaps anything with chocolate? The Durian Bakery has loads of that on its menu; just pick one, and you’re good to go.
The Durian Bakery, 2 Jalan Lokam Kensington Square, #01-47, Singapore 537846
2. Durian doughnut from Delish
We’re massive fans of doughnuts over here, as you know. So, we got pretty excited knowing that Delish stocks doughnuts that are stuffed with durian pengat. The combination of soft, pillowy bombos with creamy custard makes our mouths water. You can get them in a box of 10 or 15, but if those prove too much, get one box with an assortment of flavours. Either way, you’ll defo enjoy these doughnuts. Why? Cuz they’re too delish for words…
Delish, 60 Springside Walk, #01-10, The Brooks 1, Singapore 786020
3. Durian pengat from Ellenborough Market Cafe
While many people flock to Ellenborough Market Cafe for its buffets, the one dish that’s got everyone coming back for more is its signature durian pengat. Each spoonful leaves a sweet, silky taste in the mouth; one bowl is definitely not enough. Besides the pengat, there are other desserts in the durian series that you can try. Durian tiramisu for you? Or perhaps the durian panna cotta is calling out to you. Try them all, we say!
Ellenborough Market Cafe, Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay, 20 Merchant Road, Singapore 058281
4. Durian mooncakes from Golden Moments
When you think of anything durian, the first thing that should come to mind is Golden Moments. This brand has the biggest selection of durian desserts in Singapore. The signature Mao Shan Wang snow skin mooncakes are made using luscious durian puree and silken charcoal snow skin with a premium dash of gold finish. There’s another version that features chocolate, too. Note that these mooncakes are a seasonal offering available during the Mid-Autumn festivities.
Golden Moments, Victory Centre, 110 Lorong 23 Geylang, #07-13, Singapore 388410
5. Durian mochi from Sunlife Durian Puffs Pastries
Sunlife’s sensational D24 Durian Mochi is peerless when it comes to durian in mochi form! Imagine a soft, sweet, and irresistibly chewy exterior, giving way to an explosion of rich, aromatic D24 durian puree. It’s an indulgence you won’t be able to resist!
Sunlife Durian Puffs and Pastries, locations in Causeway Point, Tao Payoh North and Pasir Ris
6. Fried durian ice cream from Majestic Restaurant
Feeling a little adventurous? Then, head down to this restaurant and sample the fried durian with maple syrup. We love anything fried over here (curry puffs! banana fritters!) so this sounds appetising. If you end up liking it, cleanse your palette with the array of dim sum dishes instead. And then try again the fried durian ice cream again – if you dare.
Majestic Restaurant, Marina One East Tower, 5 Straits View, #04-01, Singapore 018935
7. Durian Sunshine cake from Four Seasons Durian
Here’s another well-known local brand if you’re searching for your durian fix in Singapore. Four Seasons Durian has myriad durian desserts for you to sample; out of the many, we recommend you try the sunshine cake. Generous durian puree filling is cocooned within a fluffy layer of sponge cake and topped with cream outside. Once you’ve tried this, you’re more than ready to try the other stuff Four Seasons has to offer.
Four Seasons Durian, outlets at Nex and Century Square
8. Durian coconut pudding from Ms Durian
Are all the options in this list too intimidating for your palette? You can start small by sampling this durian pudding from Ms Durian. A perfect blend of Mao Shan Wang durian and fresh coconut milk, the durian taste is not so intense here. We say this is the perfect introduction to the fruit. Once you’re accustomed to the flavour profile, go ahead and try out the other durian desserts. The more adventurous can try their Durian Nasi Lemak with durian-infused coconut rice!
Ms Durian, 11 Kelantan Road, Singapore 208604
9. Durian tea from Hi Tea
If you can’t eat it, perhaps you can attempt to drink it? Hi, Tea has innovatively combined fragrant jasmine tea with real chunks of D24 durian meat to create this concoction. You can customise the ice and sugar levels and add toppings, too. It’s definitely one new way of experiencing durian, that’s for sure. Note that this is a seasonal offering, so follow them on Facebook for updates on when this concoction gets back on the menu!
Hi Tea Singapore, Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, #01-14B (beside taxi stand), Singapore 228213
10. Durian pizza from Pezzo
Pineapple on pizza is already a divisive issue among pizza lovers, but what if you swap that for durian? Pezzo’s durian pizza features the king of fruit on top of its crust. Made with Mao Shan Wang, the pizzeria promises a creamy, indulgent taste the moment you sink your teeth into the pizza. This is one durian dish in Singapore that can convert those on the fence into full-fledged durian lovers.
Pezzo Pizza, various locations across Singapore
11. Durian fish soup from Wang Yuan Fish Soup
Fish soup is a comforting meal, especially on rainy days. But paired with durian? We’re not sure if it’s comforting anymore… Nonetheless, this pairing is available at Wang Yuan Fish Soup, located in a coffee shop in central Tampines. Each serving comes with rice, two types of vegetables, minced meat, and durian flesh. The stall claims this dish provides the nutrients that can help boost your immunity.
Wang Yuan Fish Soup, 519A Tampines Central 8, Singapore 523519
12. Durian ice cream from Udders Ice Cream
Ask any durian fanatic, and they’ll be more than happy to wax lyrical about the durian potong – a delish durian-flavoured popsicle that defined childhood in the ’80s and ’90s in Singapore. These bad boys are still available in your local grocery store, but if you’re after something creamier, try Udder’s Mao Shan Wang durian ice cream. It’s the perfect way to cool off on a warm day and satisfy your sweet tooth. If you chicken out at the last minute, tons of other flavours are still available for the less adventurous palate.
Udders, several locations, including Upper Thomson and Beach Road
13. Durian strudel from Ritz Apple Strudel
Ritz doesn’t just do a killer apple strudel. It offers other flavours too, including mango, peach, blueberry and – yes, you guessed it, durian. The velvety-smooth filling goes really well with the crisp and flaky pastry, and you can choose from three sizes: full, half, or bite-sized mini strudels. Careful, though; those will disappear in a flash! There’s even a durian mille crepe cake for the ultimate fusion of French pastry and Asian flavour.
Ritz Apple Strudel, multiple locations including Ang Mo Kio Hub and Tampines Mall
14. Durian love letters from Sunny Hills
Fans of classic love letter rolls will love the D24 durian roll from Sunny Hills. This buttery cookie is a personal fave and crumbles deliciously on the first bite. The durian flavour isn’t overpowering but tasty. Paired with the beautiful packaging, this is a fancy gift for all durian lovers.
Sunny Hills, outlets at Takashimaya Shopping Centre and Jewel Changi
15. Durian snow ice from Mei Heong Yuan Dessert
Durian desserts don’t discriminate… so here’s an option for those who need a gluten or dairy-free option. The durian snow ice from Mei Heong Yuan Dessert is a super-light dish of ice shavings crowned with durian sauce. Heavenly! Pop by its outlet at Liang Seah Street if you’re out late and looking for a sweet treat for supper.
Mei Heong Yuan Dessert, various locations, including Suntec City and Chinatown Point
16. Durian cookies from Home’s Favourite
Running low on snacks? Stock up with Mao Shan Wang love letters and durian cookies from Home’s Favourite. These crispy and seriously addictive goodies will keep you going through the day. Don’t forget to head back during mooncake season for its snowskin durian mooncakes!
Home’s Favourite, Jewel Changi Airport, #01-231, 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666
17. Durian prata from The Roti Prata House
How about a different spin on everyone’s favourite Indian pancake: the durian prata? Available at The Roti Prata House, we’re curious to see if it will still go with the curry dip…
The Roti Prata House, 246 Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574370
18. Durian desserts from Honeymoon Dessert
Durian specials at Honeymoon Dessert include pancakes, glutinous dumplings, durian and glutinous rice, and a refreshing dish of durians served with vanilla or green tea ice cream. No better way to end a meal, we say.
Honeymoon Dessert, various locations
19. Durian buffet
If you’d rather have all the durian treats in one sitting, you can reserve a spot at durian buffets across Singapore. One of the most famous durian buffets is at Goodwood Park Hotel. From now till 21 July, the luxe hotel holds its annual Durian Fiesta, where you can sample handcrafted creations and their mainstays. But if you think you’re more than ready to level up, we recommend you hit up the durian party by Zeng Zu Fu.
Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228221
20. Durian crispy pancake
Check out a unique culinary delight: creamy durian flesh in a crispy ming jiang kueh pancake. This hidden gem in Yishun offers a textural marvel that’s hard to resist. Not a durian fan? No worries! You can explore a variety of other freshly made crispy ming jiang kueh combinations, from indulgent s’mores to savoury chicken floss and egg. There’s something for everyone!
Durian Crispy Pancake, 925 Yishun Central 1, Singapore 760925
21. Durian milkshake from DurianBB (Temporarily closed)
Okay, so durian tea is not your thing. May we interest you in a durian milkshake instead? Made using Mao Shan Wang pulp and Meiji milk, this combination brings out the creaminess of the fruit and fills us up pretty quickly. If you’re not keen, you can try the other products on offer here. We like its take on the traditional kuihs, infused with durian. Durian kuih koci for you? Or maybe the durian ondeh-ondeh?
DurianBB, 462 Crawford Lane, #01-65, Singapore 190462
22. Durian kueh salat from Durian Lab Cafe (closed)
Ask any Singaporean who’s the best durian seller in Singapore. Ah Seng Durian is the name that comes to mind – its popularity is known throughout the country. Durian Lab Cafe, located at Bukit Merah, is its venture into artisanal durian desserts. While plenty of sweet treats are on the menu, we fell in love with its MSW kueh salat. An amalgamation of the fruit and the traditional kueh, this offering is both good to eat and pretty to photograph.
Durian Lab Cafe, 119 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-22, Singapore 151119
Happy durian eating, folks!