10 Must-Try Kaya Toast Spots for an Authentic Singaporean Breakfast
Kaya toast is a beloved breakfast classic across Southeast Asia.
Singapore may have transformed into a sleek, futuristic metropolis amid rapid development, yet the sight of people of all ages enjoying kopi and toast at a neighbourhood kopitiam remains a timeless morning ritual.
This guide highlights 10 nostalgic, old-school spots serving traditional kaya toast, celebrating its enduring roots.
- ❶ Ya Kun Kaya Toast
- ❷ Killiney Kopitiam
- ❸ YY Kafei Dian
- ❹ Chin Mee Chin
- ❺ Tong Ah Eating House
- ❻ Good Morning Nanyang Cafe
- ❼ Heap Seng Leong
- ❽ Keng Wah Sung
- ❾ Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee
- ❿ The 1950’s Coffee
❶ Ya Kun Kaya Toast
The Original Kaya Toast Since 1944
Kicking off the list is the iconic Ya Kun Kaya Toast.
From humble beginnings as a modest stall founded in 1944, this establishment has grown into a major chain with around 70 outlets across the island.
A true household name, Ya Kun is widely regarded as the original pioneer of kaya toast in Singapore.
At its flagship outlet in Far East Square, Ya Kun continues to prepare its toast the traditional way—grilled over charcoal. The result is wafer‑thin toast with a rusk‑like crunch.
Start your kaya toast journey here and taste the authentic classic that sets the benchmark for all others.
❷ Killiney Kopitiam
Historic Chain from Killiney Road
Killiney Kopitiam stands alongside Ya Kun Kaya Toast as one of Singapore’s most beloved and best‑known coffee shop chains.
This iconic chain traces its roots back to the original shop on Killiney Road, tucked away just behind Somerset MRT station.
Evenly toasted to a golden brown, the kaya toast offers a delightful crunch on the outside while remaining soft and pillowy within. The ratio of kaya jam to butter is perfectly balanced, hitting just the right notes.
The toast is cut into quarters, making it easy to enjoy in just a few bites. The only slight drawback was that the soft-boiled eggs were a bit too runny.
Killiney Kopitiam
❸ YY Kafei Dian
Cloud-Like Kaya Toast
Just a block from the main entrance of Raffles Hotel on Beach Road sits YY Kafei Dian.
The open‑air space, lined with simple tables, exudes a nostalgic charm reminiscent of old‑school Singapore.
A popular haunt for locals from morning until evening, this bustling spot serves a wide range of noodle and rice dishes, with the kaya toast being a firm favourite.
Baked fresh daily in the shop’s oven, the homemade bread is sliced thick, offering a delightfully fluffy texture that sets it apart from the crispier versions elsewhere.
The creamy kaya jam pairs perfectly with a generous slab of butter, making for a truly irresistible treat.
YY Kafei Dian
❹ Chin Mee Chin
Signature Round Kaya Toast
A fixture of the Katong neighbourhood since the 1950s, Chin Mee Chin is a beloved traditional kopitiam. Although it shuttered in 2018, it made a remarkable comeback in 2021, creating quite a buzz across the island.
The renovated interior stays true to its heritage, preserving the old-world charm of decades past.
Stepping inside feels like a trip back in time, with original-style mosaic floors, wall tiles, marble-top tables, and classic bentwood chairs greeting every guest.
The highlight here is the unique kaya toast, made with round buns rather than standard bread slices. Toasted to perfection, they offer a delightful contrast in texture — crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside.
It is the perfect spot to experience Singapore’s thriving retro cafe culture and soak up a touch of nostalgia.
❺ Tong Ah Eating House
Keong Saik’s Kaya Toast Classic
Just a short 4–5 minute walk from Outram Park MRT station, Keong Saik Road sits in one of the trendiest neighbourhoods, lined with stylish bars, restaurants and boutique hotels.
At the street’s Y-junction stands an iconic heritage building, marked by the red Chinese characters “東亞 (Tong Ah)” — a nostalgic reminder of the legendary kopitiam that once called it home.
Tong Ah Eating House has since relocated and now operates just across the street from its original spot.
Its kaya toast is available in two varieties: Traditional Kaya Toast and Crispy Kaya Toast.
The kaya jam here features a smooth yet slightly grainy texture, reminiscent of fine red bean paste, sandwiched between slices of toasted bread.
Paired with perfectly cooked half-boiled eggs, this sets the bar high for kaya toast — definitely a must-try.
Tong Ah Eating House
❻ Good Morning Nanyang Cafe
Ciabatta Meets Kaya Toast
Just a five-minute walk from the busy Orchard Road junction lies Far East Plaza, a shopping mall brimming with local character.
Tucked away on the second floor is Good Morning Nanyang Cafe, offering a cosy, no‑frills spot for a break.
The highlight here is the Orange Ciabatta Kaya Toast — a fresh twist on a national favourite, swapping traditional bread for airy Italian ciabatta infused with a subtle, refreshing hint of orange peel.
The soft, fluffy ciabatta soaks up melted butter and a runny egg, delivering an incredibly satisfying bite.
While it costs more than standard kaya toast, the upgrade is well worth every penny.
Good Morning Nanyang Cafe
❼ Heap Seng Leong
Classic Kaya Toast & Butter Coffee
About a 5-minute walk from Lavender MRT station, Heap Seng Leong sits on the ground floor of an HDB block.
The weathered facade says it all. Worn tables and plastic chairs fill the dimly lit space — a place where time seems to have stood still. This legendary spot is a true icon in Singapore’s kopitiam scene.
The kaya toast comes in modest squares, roughly 6cm across.
Butter seeps through each bite, bringing out the natural sweetness of the kaya jam.
The perfect companion to the kaya toast is Kopi Gu You — coffee with a slice of butter.
As one of the few places in Singapore that still serves this traditional treat, it is well worth adding to the order.
Heap Seng Leong
❽ Keng Wah Sung
Geylang’s Beloved Breakfast Stop
Tucked away along the bustling stretch of Geylang Road, Keng Wah Sung has been a fixture of the neighbourhood for more than 70 years.
This old-school coffee shop remains a beloved stop for those passing through, drawing a steady crowd from early morning until late at night.
Inside, a few stalls share the space, and the counter nearest the entrance serves kaya toast. Orders and payment are made upfront; drinks are collected at the counter, while toast and soft-boiled eggs are brought directly to the table.
Its signature Breakfast Set brings together kaya toast, a drink, and soft-boiled eggs.
Thick, even layers of butter and generously spread kaya jam create a perfect balance of sweetness and richness — a toast that delivers flavour right to the very edge of the bread.
Keng Wah Sung
❾ Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee
Must‑Visit Coffee Stall at Amoy Street FC
Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee has been serving traditional coffee and breakfast for more than half a century. Established in 1964 at Lau Pa Sat, it relocated to its present home on the second floor of Amoy Street Food Centre in 1997.
The signature kaya toast set is served in lovely ceramic cups and saucers — surprisingly refined for a hawker setting.
The kaya toast features ultra-thin slices of brown bread, perfectly crisped over charcoal — a nod to the style popularised by Ya Kun Kaya Toast.
The French toast, another renowned signature, is certainly worth trying as well.
Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee
❿ The 1950’s Coffee
Local Favourite at Chinatown Complex
Chinatown Complex is as local as it gets, and among the many stalls in its second‑floor hawker centre, The 1950’s Coffee stands out as one of the few that draws a queue from early in the morning.
After about 10 minutes in line, the order was placed, and soon after, the friendly auntie at the stall gave a quick wave to signal it was ready for collection.
The freshly toasted bread came with distinct grill marks, sandwiching a slab of butter thicker than the bread itself. Crisp and light, the thin kaya toast disappeared in no time.
The 1950’s Coffee
This concludes the round-up of 10 traditional spots keeping the heritage of kaya toast alive.
In recent years, stylish cafes and restaurants have begun offering their own creative takes on kaya toast.
From open‑faced versions to pairings with shio pan, brioche, or sourdough — and even kaya‑inspired drinks — a new wave of modern interpretations is emerging.
Check out Part 2 of kaya toast feature below.
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