One of the best gifts you can buy when you visit Singapore is Kaya jam. These jars of green coconut jam are sold throughout Singapore and make great food gifts for your loved ones. Kaya is most famously served on toast. Making it one of our favourite breakfast dishes.
What is Kaya toast?
Kaya is the coconut jam that is famous here in Singapore and up the Malay peninsula. Kaya is made from sugar, coconut milk and eggs. Pandan is added which gives it the green colour. Sometimes butter will also be added. It is sweet but not too sweet.
The history of Kaya
Kaya jam has been around as a fruit jam for a long time. It was introduced to toast in the 19th century by Hainanese sailors who made it for their British employers. Since then the dish has become a favourite throughout Singapore. Hainanese coffee shops began selling it. Places like Killiney Kopitian and Ya Kun Kaya Toast are now island wide and are full everyday.
The best way to enjoy Kaya toast
Kaya toast is best accompanied by a sweet local coffee. Also you will see a lot of locals dipping the toast into soft boiled eggs. You crack the eggs onto a side plate and add a bit of soy sauce and pepper. Give it a try next time you are in your local kopi stand.
Best place to buy Kaya jam
On our Sunset street eats of Katong tour we visit Kim Choo Kueh Chang on the East Coast road. Here they are famous for a variety of home made treats. Their kaya jam is a popular seller. In case you forget to buy Kaya jam on your stop in Singapore you can buy it at the airport. Ya Kun Kaya toast have outlets there and you will also find it in most of the souvenir shops.
If you’d like to learn more about Singapore and it’s amazing food scene join our mailing list. Better still come along and join one of our food tour. www.singabites.com for more info.
