If you have passed through Pagoda Street and been to Chinatown MRT (namely Exit A), you may have noticed a neon pink storefront with signage reading “Home Best Dessert”.
This store really stood out amongst the other also cool, but more traditional stores in Chinatown.
What does the name stand for?
I asked the operations manager who broke it down for me – that they “home make” a few of their desserts, use “homemade” components”, and they are “the best”.
That’s enlightening as I thought the name sounded a little similar to a home improvement store.
There is quite the extensive menu, encompassing different categories, including yes, Korean Bingsu.
They have Korean Snow Flake Bingsu flavours like Oreo Cookies Bingsu ($15.90), Fresh Mango & Gelato ($16.30 for no gelato, $17.90 with gelato), and Korean Signature Injeolmi Bingsu ($17.50).
Other than that there are also Fresh Strawberry & Raspberry Gelato ($17.90), Gelato, Cakes, Chinese Desserts, Hot Snacks, Tea Drinks, Coffee, Bubble Tea and more. Bingsu Oreo Cookies Bingsu ($15.90), Fresh Strawberry & Raspberry Gelato ($17.90) and something called a Lychee Fairy Icepot ($26.80 for 2-3 pax).
Their savoury food menu includes entrees like Fried Prawn ($10.80), Crispy Popcorn Chicken ($8.80), French Fries ($4.90), Snack Platter ($11.80), Crispy Spring Roll ($6.90), Popcorn Chicken with Waffle ($18.60) and Cold Shredded Kelp ($7.80).
The Korean Matcha, Red Bean & Gelato Bingsu ($17.90) was garnished with fruity pebbles, popping fruit balls and more.
I personally found the shaved ice part to be of good consistency (like snow, of course); while the Matcha Gelato, powder and red bean concoction on top was too much on the sweet side.
The cereal toppings was alright, but only added a more artificial taste to the recipe. In turn the matcha which could have been stronger, and didn’t have much prominence in taste.
That being said, maybe the other choices listed in the vast menu would be better balanced.
The more traditional desserts would be their Taro Ball w Grass Jelly ($6), Mango Taro Grass Jelly & Claw Pudding ($8), Glutinous Rice Ball 4 pieces ($4.80), and Black Glutinous Rice Porridge ($4.80).
I gave the Mango Taro Grass Jelly & Claw Pudding ($8) a try. This fell into the traditional dessert section of the menu.
It was amazing that their menu had such diversity in options, because one can only imagine the amount of preparation work they have to do every day.
The mango ‘claw’ pudding in this caught the attention of my younger dining partner and she said she was excited to eat it. (Who said aesthetics didn’t matter?).
The glutinous balls in this dessert were very chewy and didn’t fall apart like overcooked ones do.
Pleasant and favourable, maybe this would be a hit with sharing with younger ones. Or young at heart.
The operations team also mentioned to me that their staff are sent to training for making bubble tea, so their menu was worth trying.
They have the Classic Milk Tea ($5 for Medium, $6 for Large), Bubble Milk Tea ($5.80 for Medium, $6.80 for Large), Brown Sugar Milk Tea ($5.80 for Medium, $6.80 for Large), Mango Milk Tea ($5.80 for Medium, $6.80 for Large), Taro Milk Tea ($6 for Medium, $7 for Large) and Cocoa Milk Tea ($6 for Medium, $7 for Large).
If you are more into Fruit Teas, you could try the Lychee Lime Ice Tea ($6.30 for Medium, $7.30 for Large), or Strawberry Four Season Spring Tea ($6.30 for Medium, $7.30 for Large).
Milkshake and juice are available like the Strawberry Milk Shake ($6.90), Mango Milk Shake ($6.90), Grapefruit Milk Shake ($6.90), and Refreshing Orange Juice ($5.90).
The Grapefruit Four Season Spring Tea ($6.30 for medium, $7.30 for large) was very refreshing as it had lime juice, and grapefruit juice in it.
The flavours were well balanced, unsurprising, as I heard there was one of the staff with a good amount of cocktail making experience.
The Taro Milk Tea ($6 for medium, $7 for large) was surprisingly one of the stars of the visit. The taro flavour was very deep and rich, and not being too sweet.
The pearls were just nice in chewiness, similar to popular bubble tea shops I have tried.
Home Best Dessert is an option for variety if you have big groups that want to try a bit of everything to share.
It is rather homely. But whether it is the best, is inconclusive as of yet, but that may be worth finding out if you have the capacity to work your way through their menu.
Home Best Dessert
73 Pagoda Street, Singapore 059232 (Chinatown MRT)
Opening Hours: 1pm – 11pm (Sun – Thurs), 1pm – 11:30pm (Fri – Sat)
Other Related Entries
10 Traditional Dessert Shops In Singapore
Wan Mei 碗美 (Katong)
Jin Yu Man Tang (Chinatown)
Hup Ka Foon 合家歡 (Sago Stret)
Jane Deer 简鹿糖水铺 (North Bridge Road)
* Written by Laura Wong @llua. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
This place is a scam. Waiter also have attitude problem. Patronize at your own risk. Should’ve trusted the 3 star only review on Google.