15 best salted egg snacks and dishes to try if you haven’t gotten over this addictive flavour

When the salted egg yolk hype hit Singapore in early 2016, Singaporeans just cannot get enough of salted egg… well, everything. The list of creations appeared endless – from salted egg potato chips to salted egg burgers to salted egg cake. It seemed that anything that can be doused with its sauce is doused, whether on savoury dishes or sweet ones.

While the craze is behind us, we still can’t seem to get rid of an itch, every now and then, for some salty and sweet eggy dishes.

However, not every dish can satisfy that itch for some fantastic, salted egg yolk goodness. You know that feeling of looking forward to a dish only to be disappointed by its lackluster taste? Well, don’t you worry. We have conducted our own research and collated a list of the BEST salted egg yolk snacks and dishes in Singapore to fix your craving! From salty to sweet, traditional to fusion, we got you covered.

1. East Ocean Teochew Restaurant

Crispy Fish Skin with Salted Egg Yolk

Source: The Straits Times

For a restaurant that serves a plethora of traditional Teochew dishes, you’d least expect East Ocean Teochew Restaurant to take the No. 1 spot in the salted egg competition. However, in a blind taste test conducted by The Straits Times featuring four reputable judges, this snack emerged as champion amidst popular and specialised brands. The judges noted that the salted egg yolk taste was not too sweet unlike other brands’, and was well balanced by the curry and spices. The fish skin remained crispy and the salted egg yolk flavour really shone through.

At SGD19 / 200g tin, the price is pretty reasonable for a substantial amount of salted egg goodness. Just be careful that you don’t finish the whole tin in one sitting!

Get it at: Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd, #05-08/09, Singapore 238872
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm (Monday to Friday), 10am to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm (Saturday & Sunday)

For more information, check out their website here.

2. Aunty Esther’s

Salted Egg Yolk Potato Crisp

Source: The Straits Times

In the same blind taste test by The Straits Times, Aunty Esther’s emerged as the unanimous champion for its salted egg yolk potato crisps, despite being new to the market.

The reason? The salted egg yolk flavour really stands out in the chips, as it should. The flavour is complemented by the right amount of salt and therefore gives you a shiok flavour without being too salty.

Aunty Esther’s also boasts of having no artificial flavouring, colouring or preservatives in their snack. We believe them, because you can see actual balls of salted egg yolk in the packet! These bits of yolk are the treasure of this snack because it dissolves into pure salty bliss in your mouth.

At SGD8.80 / 100g packet and SGD16.80 / 200g bottle, the price is pretty much what you’d expect to pay for a standard bag of salted egg yolk chips. You need to hurry though, because the potato crisps run out fast!

Get it at: See the entire list of distribution channels here.

For more information, check out their website here.

3. Keng Eng Kee Seafood

Salted Egg Crab

Source: TripAdvisor

It was difficult to choose the best salted egg crab from among the hawkers and restaurants in Singapore, but we managed to nail down one that you definitely cannot miss out on – Keng Eng Kee’s Salted Egg Crab.

The Sri Lankan crab comes either fried or steamed with juicy, succulent meat coated in a thick and flavourful sauce. The salted yolk taste fills your tongue and nostril the moment you take a bite – salty, fragrant, creamy and rich. There is also a mild spicy kick from the chilli padi and curry leaves which balanced the creamy sauce. You have to get some mantous (buns) to soak up every last drop of it.

The salted egg crab is very reasonably priced at SGD70/kg.

Get it at: 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-136, Singapore 150124
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 2.30pm, 5pm to 10.30pm daily

For more information, check out their website here.

4. Kelly Jie Seafood

Salted Egg Yolk Lollipop Drumstick

Source: Kelly Jie Seafood

Formerly known as Mellben Seafood (Toa Payoh), Kelly Jie Seafood is famous for their crab dishes. For us however, the star of this restaurant is the Salted Egg Yolk Lollipop Drumstick, which has been deep-fried and then dressed in a thick salted egg yolk coating.

The sauce is flavoured with several spices, and there is a mild spicy kick which adds another dimension of flavour to the salted egg yolk. For those of you who enjoy a good salted egg yolk dish, definitely head over to try this one because the flavour is unlike others.

The meat has been cleverly pushed down to look like a lollipop (which we guess is where the inspiration for its name come from) for easy consumption. Amazingly, the skin remains crispy and light even though it is coated with a thick layer of sauce.

For a basket of six drumstick pieces, it will only cost you SGD18.

Get it at: Blk 211, #01, Lor 8 Toa Payoh, 11/15, Singapore 310211
Opening Hours: 4pm to 10.45pm (Monday to Friday), 12pm to 10.45pm (Saturday & Sunday)

For more information, check out their website here.

5. Tian Wai Tian Fish Head Steamboat

Salted Egg Pork Ribs

Source: Miss Tam Chiak

Unlike several other shops, Tian Wai Tian’s Salted Egg Pork Ribs do not come drenched in a heavy sauce. Instead, the meat is coated with a salted egg batter and fried till crispy.

Although the batter is light, it packs a punch. The pork ribs are also succulent and juicy, having a nice bite along with its crispy exterior. It is certainly a good change from dishes drenched in salted egg sauce because the pork ribs and salted egg yolk do not taste like separate components but one perfect dish. Salted egg yolk lovers definitely won’t be disappointed!

The salted egg yolk pork ribs is priced at SGD12.

Get it at: 1383 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 328254,
31 Kaki Bukit Rd 3, Singapore 417818,
638 Veerasamy Rd, Singapore 200638,
226B Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, #01-645, Singapore 562226

Opening Hours: 5pm to 10.30pm daily (Serangoon Rd),
9am to 2.30pm, 5pm to 10pm (Monday to Saturday), 5pm to 10pm (Sunday) (Kaki Bukit),
11am to 2.30pm, 5.30pm to 10.30pm daily, Closed on Tuesday (Veerasamy Rd)
5.45pm to 10.45pm daily, Closed on Tuesday (Ang Mo Kio)

6. The Quarters

Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Burger

Source: Miss Tam Chiak

Remember when cheese-covered burgers were the hype? Well, Singapore has its own salted egg sauce-covered burgers right at The Quarters!

This restaurant prides itself on serving modern Singaporean cuisine, incorporating local flavours into popular Western dishes.

Their Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Burger is one of such creations, with a crispy oat-battered chicken covered generously with salted egg yolk aioli. The chicken is flavourful by itself, juicy and tender, but the star of this dish has to be the sauce. Velvety and smooth, it is a good complement to the chicken, adding a note of saltiness and creaminess that is not overwhelming.

For SGD14, you get a pretty decent cut of chicken thigh with a side of fries.

Get it at: 16 Enggor St, #01-09 Icon Village, Singapore 079717
Opening Hours: 10am to 10pm (Tuesday to Saturday), 10am to 4pm (Monday), Closed on Sunday

For more information, check out their website here.

7. The Refinery

Salted Egg Yolk Onion Rings

Source: TripAdvisor

We already know salted egg yolk goes great with fries, why not put them on onion rings, right?

However, unlike fries that are simply fried and doused in sauce, there is an art to onion rings because of its batter. It’s so important for the rings to remain crunchy yet light even when it’s covered in a thick layer of sauce because that’s the best part.

Well, The Refinery appeared to have master the art. The onion rings do not come heavily drenched in salted egg sauce as we know many of you prefer, but we’d say that’s a good thing because you get to taste the flavourful batter and get the  crunch from the onion. The note of curry and spice from the salted egg sauce heightens the flavour profile of the dish and is a perfect snack at any time of the day.

For SGD10, you get a bowlful of onion rings that will satisfy you till no end. It’s definitely worth every single cent.

Get it at: 115 King George’s Ave, #01-02, Singapore 208561
Opening Hours:  12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm (Monday to Thursday), 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 1am (Friday), 11am to 4pm, 6pm to 1am (Saturday), 11am to 4pm (Sunday)

For more information, check out their website here.

8. Flavour Flings

Salted Egg Yolk Croissant

Source: The Straits Times

As Singapore’s first cafe to release a Salted Egg Yolk Croissant, Flavour Flings have got a reputation to maintain. We heard that within the first half hour, all of its croissants were sold out!

We initially suspected that it might just be the hype, but boy did the croissant live up to its fame. The salted egg yolk custard oozed out of the croissant on the first cut, but remained thick enough to coat the pastry for a flavourful bite. It has a good balance of salty and sweet flavour so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

The croissant itself was soft and chewy, but not tough with a good buttery fragrance. It is true that when you put two good ingredients together, magic happens.

Flavour Flings’ salted egg yolk croissant is sold at SGD6.90, which seems a little much for pastry but the taste is so wonderful you probably wouldn’t mind.

Get it at: 121 Hougang Avenue 1, #01-1348, Singapore 530121
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 4pm, 5.30pm to 10pm daily, Closed on Tuesday

9. Pulse Patisserie

Salted Egg Yolk Choux Au Craquelin

Source: Pulse Patisserie

Singapore buzzed with excitement when Pulse Patisserie released their own salted egg yolk cream puffs, and for good reason. Truly living up to its hype, these bite-sized cream puffs ooze out a creamy salted egg yolk filling that is rich in flavour and not overwhelmingly sweet.

You know a good salted egg sauce when it is deep orange and grainy, because that just means the real yolk is used. The cream puff also has a cookie crust that adds a good crunch and sweetness to the dessert, and may very well be the best part after the salted egg filling.

For a box of six puffs, you put out SGD15, a step up from its original price of SGD12. While it is a little pricey considering the size of the puffs, you should definitely not miss out on this if you’re a fan of salted egg desserts.

Get it at: 180 Depot Rd, #01-06, The Interlace, Singapore 109684
Opening Hours: 11am to 7pm (Monday to Friday), 10am to 7pm (Saturday), 10am to 5pm (Sunday), Closed on Tuesday

For more information, check out their website here.

10. The M Plot

Salted Egg Yolk x Curry Macaron

Source: The M Plot

The M Plot is a newly opened patisserie specialising in macarons, which is actually what the M in its name stands for. Their signature flavour, Salted Egg Yolk x Curry Macaron, turned heads when it was first released because who would think to put the traditional savoury yolk and curry sauce on a sweet dessert like macaron? However, The M Plot managed to nail down the right flavour combination after three months of experimentation.

The salted egg yolk filling is very smooth and sweet but there is an afternote of curry flavour that complemented the salted yolk well. Altogether, it is not the traditional sweet macaron we’re used to, but has interesting savoury notes that elevate the macaron. Well, we don’t expect anything less of the winner of Asia Food Innovation Award 2018.

For SGD3.50, it is definitely worth your investment!

Get it at: 9 King Albert Park, #01-05, Singapore 598332
Opening Hours: 9am to 8pm (Monday to Friday), 9am to 9pm (Saturday & Sunday), Closed on Tuesday

For more information, check out their website here.

11. Fatcat Ice Cream Bar

Gourmet Charcoal Waffle with Salted Egg Yolk Sauce

Source: Facebook

We know that salted egg yolk pairs really well with sweet treats. But combine it with waffles and ice cream, and you can forget about your usual chocolate and caramel sauces.

This signature dessert was created even before the salted egg yolk craze began in 2016 and till today, it is still a hot item on their menu. The sauce is creamy and smooth, with just the right punch of salted egg yolk flavour to satisfy your craving but does not overpower the ice cream taste.

The salty undertones of the sauce also cut through the sweetness of the ice-cream, so you won’t feel too cloying. And let’s not forget the waffles. With a crispy exterior combined with soft and fluffy batter, your entire dessert is completed.

The waffle, together with salted egg yolk sauce, goes for SGD6 and you can top it with your choice of ice cream.

Get it at: Blk 416, Bedok North Ave 2, #01-25, Singapore 460416
Opening Hours: 1pm to 10pm (Monday to Thursday), 1pm to 11pm (Friday), 12am to 11pm (Saturday), 12am to 10pm (Sunday) Closed on Tuesday

For more information, check out their website here.

12. Tom’s Palette

Salted Egg Yolk Ice Cream

Source: The Munching Girl

Another unorthodox salted egg yolk creation is found within Tom’s Palette Ice Cream Bar, in the form of a salted egg yolk gelato. This ice cream parlour has created a name for itself with its unconventional, but surprisingly successful ice cream flavours such as Kueh Bangit (traditional coconut cream cookies) and savoury White Chocolate Nori to name a few.

However, their salted yolk ice cream takes the crown because you really get bits of salted egg yolk running through the gelato, which helps to break up the rich and creamy gelato (though it’s already very delectable on its own).

The ice cream comes in three sizes: small, medium and large for the price of SGD3.60, SGD4.60, and SGD5.80 respectively. It’s also pretty cool that you can pack two flavours into one small cup! That way, you’d get the best of both worlds for the price of one.

Because this parlour is always switching their menu about, don’t be disappointed if you don’t find this particular flavour on their lineup. Just choose another flavour (you definitely won’t be missing out) and come back another day.

Get it at: 100 Beach Rd, #01-25, Singapore 189702
Opening Hours: 12pm to 9.30pm (Monday to Thursday), 12pm to 10pm (Friday & Saturday), 1pm to 7pm (Sunday)

For more information, check out their website here.

13. Tart Blanc

Peach & Salted Yolk Tart

Source: Tart Blanc

We have never heard of a peach and salted egg yolk pairing before, but these two items are a match made in tart heaven at Tart Blanc. This unique creation is a sour cream coffee cake filled with a salted egg yolk lava core, surrounded by a buttery crust and topped with bruleed peaches and pistachio bits.

With so many interesting flavours and textures in one bite, it feels like a riot in your mouth. This is one of those desserts that make your eyes instantly widen and is hands down one of the must-get items on this list.

Tart Blanc currently operates online after their store at Millenia Walk was closed. Despite its closure, the store managed to keep a stream of loyal customers and it is testimony to how good their tarts are. This particular salted egg yolk dessert sells for SGD7.50.

Get it at: Tart Blanc desserts are available for delivery through their online shop.

14. Tim Ho Wan

Sesame Balls with Molten Salted Egg

Source: Daniel Food Diary

For a newer take on old-school desserts, Tim Ho Wan offers traditional sesame balls filled with salted egg yolk custard.

As expected of the Michelin-starred chain, the salted egg lava was thick and rich in flavour, providing just the right balance of salty and sweet flavours.

In fact, this dessert is a very good alternative to the well-loved liu sha bao if you are looking for something slightly different same custard filling but different exterior. We love that the shell is chewy, crispy and crunchy at the same time because it provides a really good mouthfeel.

This dessert comes in a set of three for SGD4.50. You might want to grab a few to take away too!

Get it at: Any Tim Ho Wan outlet

For more information, visit their website here.

15. Taste Paradise

Salted Egg Yolk Custard Bun (Liu Sha Bao)

Source: Daniel Food Diary

For the final item on this list, we have to pay homage to the mother of all salted yolk foods – Liu Sha Bao. Almost anywhere you go in Singapore, there are decent liu sha baos to be had.

However, Taste Paradise stole the top seat in our list because all of its key components – the bun and the custard – truly hit the mark. The bun feels so soft and pillowy, and is just the right thickness that as you pull it apart, the salted egg yolk lava bursts out. The custard is rich in flavour, grainy and sweet, but not overwhelmingly sweet. It also doesn’t leave a funny aftertaste in your mouth like what some other shops offer.

The liu sha baos come in a basket of three for SGD5.50.

Get it at: 2 Orchard Turn, #04-07 ION Orchard, Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: 11am to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm (Monday to Friday), 11am to 4.30pm, 6pm to 11pm (Saturday & Sunday)

For more information, check out their website here