YY Kafei Dian: Must-Try Fluffy Kaya Toast at Old-School Kopitiam
One of Singapore’s most beloved breakfast staples, kaya toast combines kaya jam — made from coconut milk and eggs — with butter on toasted bread. Affordable, delicious, and easy to grab, it has long been a morning ritual for locals.
This guide highlights a softer, pillowy kaya toast, distinct from the ultra-thin slices found across the city.
Location & Atmosphere
Steps from Raffles Hotel
Just a 5–7 minute walk from Esplanade or City Hall MRT station.
Along Beach Road, with the iconic Raffles Hotel in view, YY Kafei Dian sits two blocks ahead at the corner of Purvis Street.
Old-School Kopitiam Buzzing with Locals
A long-time favourite among locals, this traditional coffee shop exudes a warm, nostalgic charm.
The space is breezy and open to the street, with natural ventilation in place of air conditioning. Seating is available both inside the shop and along the walkway.
It opens daily at 7:30am (8:00am on weekends) as Singapore’s sky begins to brighten, and stays bustling with customers until closing at 7:00pm.
Signature Kaya Toast
Pioneer of Thick-Cut Kaya Toast
Kaya toast at YY Kafei Dian takes a different approach. Instead of ultra-thin slices toasted until crisp, this version features thick-cut bread.
The loaves are freshly baked in-house each day. Sliced thick and toasted to perfection, they are finished with a rich layer of kaya jam and butter.
With a satisfying crunch on the outside and a light, fluffy texture inside, this dish offers a fresh take that reimagines what kaya toast can be.
While similar thick-cut versions can now be found elsewhere, YY Kafei Dian remains the original pioneer of this style.
Best enjoyed with a cup of kopi or teh, each served with a generous amount of condensed milk.
Standout Dishes to Try
YY Kafei Dian offers far more than just its famous kaya toast.
As a long-standing local favourite, every dish here is well-executed, flavourful, and reasonably priced — making it an excellent choice for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Chicken Rice with Aromatic Sesame Oil
The chicken rice here is a standout, easily rivaling the best from specialist stalls.
The rich, sesame oil–based sauce coats the tender chicken beautifully, making the fragrant rice all the more irresistible.
Flavour-Packed Beef Hor Fun
Tender slices of beef are coated in a rich, soy-based gravy that clings beautifully to wide, chewy rice noodles. A flavour-packed staple of Singapore’s vibrant hawker scene, Beef Hor Fun is a true comfort-food classic.
Piping Hot Claypot Noodles
Served piping hot, Claypot Noodles feature a comforting medley of vegetables, egg and noodles, slow-simmered to perfection in a traditional claypot.
Noodle options range from rice noodles such as hor fun and bee hoon to egg noodles like yellow noodles and E‑Fu noodles.
Addictive Mee Goreng
Mee Goreng, a Malay-style fried noodle dish, blends spicy seasonings, chilli, and a hint of ketchup for an irresistible kick. Its bold, addictive flavours have made it a favourite for fans of punchy, flavour-packed noodles.
Final Thoughts
Many travellers make it a point to try kaya toast at least once while in Singapore. While the classic crispy version is always a treat, the soft, fluffy take on this local favourite offers a fresh twist well worth trying.
YY Kafei Dian
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