10 Best Pandan Cakes In Singapore, Including Kaya Swiss Roll And Chiffon Cake

There’s something about pandan chiffon cake that makes it such a familiar favourite. Named the national cake of Singapore and Malaysia by CNN in 2017, pandan chiffon cake has become the bedrock of family gatherings, teatimes, or quick midday pick-me-ups when you’re craving something sweet.

The chiffon cake was first introduced to Southeast Asia during the colonial era, originating in Indonesia. The Dutch colonials taught Indonesian locals European baking techniques and recipes, which the latter then reinvented with local aromatics and sweeteners, including pandan.

While Bengawan Solo is credited for popularising the treat, there are many other bakeries in Singapore putting their spin on the recipe as well. Read on to find out where to get the best pandan cake in Singapore. We’ve expanded the definition beyond chiffon cake to include other options, such as roll cakes and birthday cakes.

• 1. Pure Pandan

Search for the best pandan cake in Singapore and Pure Pandan’s name regularly appears. The Chinatown bakery is run by a former civil servant who learned his recipe from scratch, motivated by his love for the baked treat.

The chiffon cakes here are fluffy and power-packed with pandan goodness, as the bakery only uses fresh pandan juice extracted directly from the leaves themselves, instead of artificial flavourings. There’s a delicate sweetness to each slice that’s truly moreish. Prices start at $2.50 a slice and go up to $22 for a whole large cake.

Pure Pandan also has other chiffon cake flavours, from a luscious Valrhona Double Chocolate (from $3.20) to the Durian D24 (from $2.70). If you’re not big on chiffon cakes, or just want to try something new, go for their pandan swiss rolls.

Aside from the standard combo of Pandan Kaya (from $8.80), the stall also has a Pandan Black Sesame (from $9.80), where a thin pandan sponge is wrapped around a nutty black sesame cream. Address: 264 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058813

Opening hours: Daily 9am to 7pm Tel: 6588 5788

Website

Pure Pandan is not halal-certified, but they do not use pork or lard.

• 2. Ah Ma Homemade Cake

Ah Ma Homemade Cake made a name for themselves selling castella cake, as well as their riff on Basque burnt cheesecake known as “chao ta” (Hokkien for “burnt”) cheesecake. While the Original Castella Cake ($9.90) is a firm fave, their Pandan Castella Cake ($12.90) comes a close second. Light, ultra-fluffy, and laced with notes of aromatic pandan, this is one to try if you prefer your cakes on the lighter end.

Also, for those who don’t know, chiffon cakes are cousins of Taiwanese-style castella cakes, like the one Ah Ma Homemade Cake sells. The latter, however, is much more pillowy, almost jiggly, with a cloud-like texture.

Chiffon cakes are fluffy, but don’t have the same lightness that castella cakes do. Address: 60 Paya Lebar Road, #B1-46, Paya Lebar Square, Singapore 409051

Opening hours: Daily 10:30 am to 9pm Tel: 8133 8508

Website

Ah Mah Homemade Cake is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 3. Rich and Good Cake Shop

Rich and Good Cake Shop is best known for their variety of swiss rolls, but they also sell chiffon cakes too. You can get their Pandan Chiffon Cake (from $6), available as smaller individual cakes, or in larger cakes for sharing. These are light, fluffy, and infused with a delicate pandan flavour.

Otherwise, for something a little different, try their Pandan Cheese Swiss Roll ($12), a unique pairing between fragrant pandan and sweet, indulgent cream cheese.

Full list of outlets

Rich and Good Cake Shop is not halal-certified, but they use Muslim-friendly ingredients.

• 4. Bengawan Solo

A guide to the best pandan cakes in Singapore would not be complete without mentioning Bengawan Solo, which many regard as the OG pandan chiffon cake seller. Its legacy dates way back to the founding of the brand; in fact, it was one of the first few items on the Bengawan Solo menu.

We know the recipe is made with fresh pandan juice, whole pandan leaves, and fresh cold-pressed coconut milk, but little else is known about the cake’s makeup, and how it gets its signature fluffy mouthfeel. A slice is priced at $1.90, while a whole cake will set you back $20.

This pandan cake is so popular that it has also become something tourists will buy as a souvenir when they visit Singapore!

Full list of outlets

Bengawan Solo is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 5. The Pine Garden

True pandan cake fans will know of The Pine Garden—their Pandan Chiffon Cake ($14) was rated by CNN Travel as one of the best in Singapore! Each seven-inch round is light and fluffy with a discernible fragrance from the pandan extract, and said to be not too sweet.

Besides the quintessential pandan chiffon, you’ll also find other cakes in a wide assortment of flavours, ranging from Black Forest ($4.10) to Pulut Hitam ($4.10). Read our The Pine Garden feature!

Address: 529 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, #01-2369, Singapore 560529 Opening hours: Daily 8:30am to 8:30pm

Tel: 6457 6159

Website

The Pine Garden is not a halal-certified bakery.

• 6. Sinpopo

Sinpopo Brand specialises in Peranakan fare and locally-inspired bakes. If you know someone who loves pandan cake enough to want it for their birthday, then the Dripping Kaya Cake (from $52) comes highly recommended.

This cake features their signature handmade pandan kaya spread over light and fluffy cake. The whole cake is then topped with a generous layer of pandan kaya custard. Sweet, but not overly so, and balanced with notes of pandan and coconut this cake hits the spot.

Full list of locations

Sinpopo is not a halal-certified eatery, but their cakes have no pork or lard.

• 7. PrimaDeli

You may associate PrimaDeli more with their pandan waffles, but the homegrown bakery does a decent pandan chiffon cake too. They have close to 40 outlets across Singapore, so you’ll be able to get your hands on a slice or a whole cake pretty easily. The pandan notes here are subtle and the sponge is moist, with an airy crumb.

Overall, this is a light treat that makes it hard to stop at just one slice. Each cake is priced at $14.90 for a large size.

They’re also halal-certified.

Full list of locations

PrimaDeli is a halal-certified eatery.

• 8. Love Confectionery

Another traditional bakery beloved by West-siders is Love Confectionery. While they’re more well-known for their layered sponge cakes, especially their bestselling Peanut Cake ($1.50), the Pandan Cake ($1.50) here is worth trying too.

It’s slightly denser than your average pandan chiffon, but not so heavy you won’t be able to polish off a couple of slices with ease. Definitely try out more bakes from their sponge cake range, as well as their filled buns.

Address: 122 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-60, Singapore 150122 Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm, Sun 10am to 3pm

Tel: 6278 2385

Website

Love Confectionery is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 9. HarriAnn’s Nonya Table

HarriAnn’s Nonya Table is a franchise well-known for their Nyonya kueh, but they also have a few pandan cakes on their menu, sold whole or by slices. There is the standard chiffon option (from $2.80) if you want something simple, but we recommend indulging in a slice of Pandan Kaya Fudge Cake instead.

Priced at $8.40, each slice comprises a pandan kaya cream coating rolled in desiccated coconut, light pandan sponge, and a double-boiled, gooey pandan kaya fudge between layers. It’s not too sweet either, making this a good pick for kids and the elderly.

Full list of locations

HariAnn’s Nonya Table is not a halal-certified eatery but does not use pork or lard.

• 10. The Hainan Story Bakery

The Hainan Story has multiple outlets islandwide, but for bakes, you ought to check out their range of swiss rolls online. Get your hands on their Hainanese Pandan Coconut Kaya Roll ($12.70), a 400g cake roll comprising a soft pandan-infused sponge filed with a rich and fragrant coconut kaya.

Their Nanyang Yam Orh Nee Roll ($12.70) is equally popular, featuring a light sponge cake rolled with a creamy yam filling, inspired by the beloved Teochew dessert.

Pandan cakes in Singapore you must try

Now you know where to get the best pandan cakes in Singapore, check out our other guides to local sweet treats too.

This includes our traditional bakeries guide, and our ranking of the best waffles in Singapore. Featured image adapted from @thefluffypao, Sinpopo, Ah Ma Homemade Cake, and PrimaDeli Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news.