Mention the name ‘durian’ and watch how people react. This Southeast Asian gem is (in)famous for its smell and flavour, but regardless of whether you’re Team Durian or not, one thing’s for sure: the durian earned its keep as the King of Fruits.
The fruit on its own is good enough, but if you’re feeling adventurous or just want a bit of it in everything you eat, check out these creative durian-based dishes! The options can be sweet or savoury, hot or cold, or even full-out crazy. One thing’s for sure, though: they’re more than enough to satisfy any craving.
1. Bread & Butter Pudding at Marriott Cafe
Cr: aspirantsg.com
This classic treat gets a local makeover at Marriott Cafe. A warm and comforting dessert that’s so quintessentially British, it’s hard to imagine the bread & butter pudding with durian. However, by mixing a healthy dose of our favourite fruit into the custard, we get a dish that’s bursting with its distinctive and oh-so-delicious aroma in every soft, fluffy bite. That’s not all the Marriott Cafe has to offer though. Alongside the bread & butter pudding sit durian puffs, mousse cakes, and even creme brulees – all at their Durian High Tea Buffet.
Find it at 320 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238865.
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
2. Durian Salat at Chalk Farm
Cr: Her World
Kueh Salat is already one of the more decadent and indulgent Nyonya kuehs. So, when you replace the coconut with durian custard, you’ve got a recipe for love at first bite. Made with top-notch Mao Shan Wang and Wang Zong Wang durians, the golden-hued custard is smooth, buttery, and full of flavour. One bite won’t be enough, so it’s a good thing the Durian Salat comes in a 2.5-kilogram cake. It’s meant to serve twelve, but if you want the whole thing for yourself, who are we to judge?
Find it at 290 Orchard Road Paragon #B1-K24, Singapore 238859.
Click here for more information on Chalk Farm.
3. Fried Durian Ice Cream at Majestic Restaurant
There’s one foolproof way to make everything taste better: dip it in batter and toss it in the fryer. At Majestic Restaurant, the fried durian ice cream ticks all of our deep-fried dessert boxes. The piping hot, golden-brown, and crispy shell (covered in maple syrup, no less) opens with a delightful crack to reveal a core of cold, sweet durian ice cream. You get both hot and cold, crunchy and smooth – all in one delectable bite.
Find it at 5 Straits View, Marina One The Heart, #04-01, 018935.
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
4. Durian Lava Cake – Ice Edge Cafe
Cr: Iced Age Cafe
A treat for Singaporean sweet tooths, the decadent Durian Lava Cake at Ice Edge is the cafe’s claim to fame. The golden cake comes with a dusting of icing sugar and a scoop of gelato, and the durian “lava” oozing out once you dig your spoon in is one of the most Insta-worthy things we’ve seen. Fluffy durian cake and divine filling paired with creamy gelato makes this an indulgent dessert of complementary textures and flavours.
Find it at 2 Kovan Road, #01-10 Simon Plaza, 548008.
Click here for more information on Ice Edge Cafe.
5. Durian Fried Rice at Escape Restaurant and Lounge
As the easiest way to use up leftovers, fried rice is a forgiving dish you can throw pretty much anything into. Still, it has its limits, and putting durian in there clearly pushes those limits. Durian and fried rice may seem like an odd combination, but the fruit does surprisingly well in a savoury dish. When you add in a dose of sambal, you’ll get a firework of flavours, with smoky wok hei, aromatic durian, and the spicy umami of sambal coming together on your tongue. Make sure to bring your sense of adventure, because this isn’t a dish for the faint-hearted!
Find it at 1 Farrer Park Station Road, 217562.
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
6. Durian everything – Mao Shan Wang Cafe
Cr: thejakartapost.com
Mao Shan Wang Cafe is the stuff of every durian-lover’s dreams. Everything here includes durian in some way, with out-of-this-world combinations we’d never dreamed of. Start your meal with a comforting durian coffee, and if you’re feeling munchy, how about fries with durian dip? The star of the show is undoubtedly the durian pizza. Layers of freshly-peeled durian flesh and cheese sit on a fluffy charcoal pizza crust, the flavours combining to create a curious but nonetheless yummy dish.
Find it at 49 Temple St, Singapore 058594.
Click here for more information on Mao Shan Wang Cafe.
