Where To Find The Best Orh Nee And Orh Nee Desserts In Singapore

Whether you're into the creamy, luscious traditional dessert or imaginative new creations

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Yam paste, or orh nee, recently found itself in the spotlight. This came after then-presidential hopeful and the newest President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam revealed that he and his wife, Jane Yumiko Ittogi, consumed quantities of it in a bid to conceive.

But even if you're not looking to add another member to your family, the traditional Teochew dish remains a popular dessert. It is made with yam that is first steamed and then mashed, before being cooked with sugar and oil. Classic recipes call for lard or shallot oil to increase the fragrance of the dish but healthier, vegan options have sprouted that make use of vegetable oil.

Now, go tuck into the best orh nee and orh nee desserts in Singapore at these 10 spots:

Orhhsome

Helmed by second-generation owners, Orhhsome was founded in 1995 with a focus on creating yam food products (that are also vegan-friendly). Yam Paste, plain or with Ginkgo Nuts, is a staple dish here but you can also find ingenious twists such as the Orhhsome Yam Paste Gelato, Taro Tangyuan and the yam paste stuffed bread Orhhsome Bao.

Order via Orhhsome's website.

Chao Shan Cuisine

Those hankering for some comfort Teochew food after ending work in the CBD can head over to Chao Shan Cuisine. Located opposite the Yueh Hai Ching Temple, the restaurant has been faithfully serving up various Teochew favourites ranging from steamed pomfret to Teochew Yam Paste.

Chao Shan Cuisine is at 17 Phillip Street #01-01/02 Grand Building, Singapore 048695.

Yuan Xing Chaozhou Restaurant

Formerly known as Guan Hin Restaurant, Yuan Xing Chaozhou Restaurant boasts over 40 years of experience serving authentic and classic Teochew dishes. It is relatively convenient to get to too as it is a short walk away from Boon Keng MRT. Favourites here include braised goose, pig trotter jelly, fried prawn roll and of course, yam paste.

34 Whampoa West, #01-01, Singapore 330034

Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine

Part of the Jumbo group of restaurants, Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine prides itself on serving up classic Teochew dishes set in a heritage club of the same name. Fans return for its Teochew muay, or rice porridge, Cold Crab, Braised Duck, Yam Paste and more. Orh nee is served either with Hashima or with Pumpkin and Ginkgo Nuts.

190 Keng Lee Rd, #01-02 Chui Huay Lim Club, Singapore 308409

Ah Chew Desserts

Founded in 2003, Ah Chew Desserts has quickly grown to become a hotspot for traditional Chinese desserts in Bugis. The brand also opened a new outlet in Cineleisure so Orchard Road shoppers can refuel there too. Among their extensive menu is the ever-popular Yam Paste with Gingko Nuts. And if you're feeling extra peckish, add some tang yuan, or glutinous rice balls, to make it heartier.

1 Liang Seah St, #01-10/11 Liang Seah Place, Singapore 189032 and 8 Grange Rd, #01 03 Cineleisure, Singapore 239695

Ju Signatures

Ju Signatures is headed by former Peony Jade chef Wong Kok Shyong. He worked as their head of dim sum for 15 years and brings with him over three decades of experience specialising in dim sum and mooncakes. There are two desserts that feature yam paste you have to try here — the signature Baked Orh Nee Tart with Gingko Nut which has a thick sticky paste, and the Lavalicious Orh Nee Salted Egg Sesame Ball.

4 Maju Avenue, Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 556682

682 Min Jiang Kueh

As the name of the shop might elude to you, 682 Min Jiang Kueh has found a way to elevate the fluffy pancake we all know and love with luscious and nutty yam paste. This min jiang kueh iteration is made into a calzone meets curry puff kind of way, with the yam filling bursting at its seams. Other unique flavours available are Black Sesame and Green Tea.

682 Hougang Ave 4, Hougang Village, Singapore 530682

Keong Saik Bakery

While Keong Saik Bakery no longer resides along the heritage road, the popular bakery continues to push out creative bakes that "bridges contemporary styles & techniques with traditional & local flavours that invoke a hint of nostalgia". Consequently, they have found new ways to modernise orh nee into their bakes such as the Orh Nee Tart and Taromisu.

70 Bendemeer Rd, #01-03 Luzerne, Singapore 339940 and 44 Jln Merah Saga, #01-42, Singapore 278116

City Donut

A joint creation between restaurant chain operator Minor Food and Pine Garden, City Donut was created to celebrate the classic doughnuts we grew up eating. Of course, there is the sugar-dusted Original as well as the Chocolate Rice-covered iteration. But here, we're spotlighting the bestselling Yam Orh Ni flavour that stuffs the fluffy fried pastry with aromatic yam paste.

2 McCallum St, Singapore 069043

The French Pastry

Lawrence Wong (no, not the actor or member of parliament) started the home-based business The Patisserie in 2020 before finally opening his first standalone shop named The French Pastry. And clearly, he is obsessed with orh nee as he concocted multiple desserts featuring yam paste. These include Orh Nee Mille Crêpes, Orh Nee Salted Egg Choux Puff, Orh Nee Cheese Tart and Orh Nee Mochi Soufflé Roll.

11 Kee Seng St, #01-11 Onze @ Tanjong Pagar, Singapore 089218

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