Yat Ka Yan Dessert (Fortune Centre)

Let’s take a dine in at Yat Ka Yan Dessert at Fortune Centre. It is a little gem that offers a delightful dive into traditional Chinese desserts at affordable rates in the central Bugis district of Singapore. Let’s see what’s on offer.

Moreover, Yat Ka Yan Dessert is tucked on the second floor of Fortune center mall, occupying three shop units within the mall. Notably, Fortune center is very much transformed from a vegetable food paradise which used to serve the temples in the vicinity. While food stores used to be situated only on the ground floor, today, it has quite a buzzing food scene with food stores and pubs on nearly every floor of the building.

Walking into Yat Ka Yan Dessert, you will notice the oldie-style kopitiam setting, which is both warm and cosy. Also, the place has a simple vibe and charm with wooden tables and chairs neatly arranged, creating a casual and comfortable dining environment. There is mix of exterior seating along the mall’s walkway and interior seating within.

The interior offers tabled and round table seating, using classic Chinese furniture owning to an old school shop house look and feel. Also, the minimalistic décor, accented with a few traditional Chinese touches, adds an authentic feel without being overwhelming. It’s well-lit and inviting, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy a sweet treat.

What is on the menu

Furthermore, their menu is tad an traditional Singapore dessert lover’s dream, packed with a variety of traditional Chinese sweets. In summary there are 17 hot desserts and 13 cold dessert options with options for additional toppings like pearls, sweet potato balls and lotus seeds for instance. Highlight be their desserts is a curated recommendation of 4 of my favourites here. Starting with their Cold desserts selection of their Fresh Mango sago with ice cream ($7).

It is a refreshing cold dessert, the mango is fresh and chewy with equally delectable crunchy sago bits. Also, this dish is a visual treat, served in a clear bowl that shows off its vibrant colours. The mango is fresh and juicy, the pomelo adds a tangy twist, and the sago pearls tad give it a nice, chewy texture. It’s especially refreshing on a hot day, offering a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavours.

Traditional desserts

Also, their Chendol ($4) is a run of the mill Singapore favourite, though I found the flavour tad too heavy and overwhelming to enjoy.

Other staple includes Cheng Tng available in both cold and hot variants with the hot variant costing $3.50 and cold costing 30 cents more. Though strangely and interestingly, there is no ice kacang on the menu, considering it is a local Singapore staple favourite.

Then there’s the sesame paste, which is another favourite. It’s served warm and has a rich, satisfying nutty flavour. The texture is just right smooth and comforting, perfect for an indulgence for sesame lovers.

Their “Tang Shui” or sweet soups are a highlight, offering flavours from classic red bean soup to the more unique black sesame paste. Each dessert is crafted with fresh ingredients that really bring out the natural flavours. One dessert that stands out of the ordinary is the Purple Rice with ice cream ($5.50). It has an iconic purple hue which is refreshing despite the rather odd mix of rice and ice cream.

Affordable prices for what you get

Prices at Yat Ka Yan Dessert are tad reasonable, especially considering the quality of the food. Their desserts typically range from $3 to $6, making it an affordable option, though priced higher than run of the mill hawker shops.

Also, their savoury dishes are also well-priced as a post-dinner meal without breaking the bank, tad completing your meal without spending too much. One such affordable choice is their Chrysanthemum jelly with Osmanthus ($5.50). It is a cooling shaved ice dessert with sweet chewy jelly.

Also, if you’re feeling adventurous, you should definitely try the durian desserts. Durian is known for its strong flavour which you can either love or detest. At Yat Ka Yan, this is offered with purple rice that mixes the creamy fruit in a soft, thin layer of rice. Tad a unique way to bring forward the pungent fruits for the masses.

Furthermore, apart from desserts, Yat Ka Yan also have a few savoury non-desert snack items on their menu. These include tad simple but tasty dishes like yong tau foo ($7.80), glutinous rice ($5) and yam cake ($5) to name afew. They might not be the main menu offerings, but perfect if you want something more filling before diving into the desserts.

Long but fast moving queue

Queues are long but is very fast moving, a queue of about 30 pax in front you be cleared in under 15mins. This is due to the fast turnover of the dine-in tables. Also, I noticed the entablement attracts young couples, families, and solo diners all enjoying their desserts. There’s something very pleasant about the lively, yet relaxed atmosphere. It’s a great place to people-watch, with everyone seeming to savour their moment of sweetness.

Ordering is easy done prior being seated at a cashier counter. Even when the place is busy, the service is efficient. Your food is served quickly too, under 5 minutes after ordering. You won’t be left waiting too long for your dessert.

Wrapping up

All in all, a visit to Yat Ka Yan Dessert at Fortune Centre is a delightful experience. The range of traditional Chinese desserts, the friendly service, and the cosy setting make it a great spot for both locals and visitors. Whether you’re a dessert enthusiast or just looking to try something new, Yat Ka Yan Dessert won’t disappoint. The simple, delicious offerings and welcoming ambiance ensure a satisfying and memorable dining experience.

This review is not sponsored by the establishment nor did they provide any editorial input or reimbursements into the content and outcome of this review. All meals were paid for in full out of my own pocket as a regular and anonymous patron.