Thanks to the current hot weather, durian lovers are experiencing a fruit windfall this season.
The Straits Times reported that prices have fallen by as much as 40 per cent. Popular varieties of durians, like the Mao Shan Wang, are now going for $12 to $20 per kg, a drastic reduction from the highs of more than $40 last year.
Purists might insist that the only way to enjoy durians is in its unadulterated form. But if you want to experiment or looking for something for exciting and unique, here are some other ways you can have the fruit!
Text: Yeoh Wee Teck/The New Paper
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Combining two things that Singaporeans like – fried rice and durians – proved fruitful for Escape Restaurant & Lounge. The Durian Fried Rice is a hit, with D24 durians fried along with mixed seafood, scallops and green peas.
The best part? Since the restaurant is open 24 hours, anytime you get a craving, you can head right over.
Available at Escape Restaurant & Lounge, One Farrer Hotel & Spa, 1 Farrer Park Station Rd, Tel: 6705 7828. Visit www.onefarrer.com/en/escape.html
Here’s another dish that combines things that Singaporeans love. This time, it is steamboat with durians. Yes you get chunks of durian in your steamboat broth.
The King Durian Steamboat by Charcoal Thai has gotten people very curious. The verdict is the sweetness of the fruit enhances the soup.
Available at Charcoal Thai, located at Nex (23 Serangoon Central, #B1-30/31); and 321 Clementi Ave 3, #02-08; Tel: 6288 6260 (Nex); 6250 9298 (Clementi). Visit www.charcoalthai.com.sg
This much loved dessert contains Mao Shan Wang durian. The fruit is blended with milk and then frozen for an ice cream-like texture. This is then wrapped in rice paper, coated with batter and deep-fried.
The result is a rich treat to crown a delicious meal.
Available at Majestic Restaurant, 5 Straits View, #04-01 Marina One, The Heart (East Tower), Tel: 6250 1988. Visit restaurantmajestic.com
Goodwood Park Hotel’s durian items are legendary and most durian lovers would have tasted at least one dish from them. So the hotel makes it a point to come up with something new when its annual Durian Fiesta returns.
For its 35th anniversary, it is offering the D24 Coffee Glaze cake. So if you can’t skip the coffee, and you must have durians, this is the best combination for you. Pure D24 pulp alternates with a coffee sponge layer, so you get a mouthful of durian with each bite.
Available at The Deli, Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, Tel: 6730 1786. Visit www.goodwoodparkhotel.com
This is basically a chiffon pandan cake with a creamy layer of durian spread over it. And to make it even more special, The Peranakan drizzles gula melaka over the whole confection, before coating it with coconut shavings.
Available at The Peranakan, 442 Orchard Road, Level 2 Claymore Connect, Tel: 6262 4428. Visit www.theperanakan.com
Cat & The Fiddle’s choice of durian to highlight is the Mao Shan Wang. The durian comes in two forms: A sponge cake and a durian-studded cream cheese.
Available at Cat & The Fiddle, 6 Eu Tong Sen St, #01-41 The Central @ Clarke Quay, Tel: 6287 0077. Visit www.catandthefiddle.com
Besides eating it in its original form, the most common alternative seems to be eating durian as an ice cream. The version at Taste Paradise is homemade, and encased within a crispy tempura crust, with mango sago and strawberry bits dusted over it.
Available at Taste Paradise, 2 Orchard Turn, ION Orchard #04-07, Tel: 6509 9660. Visit www.paradisegp.com/brand-taste-paradise/
This is a must-visit for durian fans – a cafe that serves nothing but durian inspired food. There is durian coffee, durian nuggets, and durian fries. But the star seems to be the Black Charcoal Mao Shan Wang Durian, which is a pizza style creation with a charcoal base crust topped with durian puree and cheese.
Available at Mao Shan Wang Cafe, 49 Temple Street, Tel: 6221 2338. Visit www.facebook.com/MaoShanWangCafe/