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The Stinkier, the Better: The Best Durians in Singapore
I’m sorry, but if you tell me that you hate durians, we can’t ever be friends. Okay, I’m totally joking, but I feel like a part of my heart dies when someone tells me they hate durians.
Durians are thick and creamy, and their flavour profile is a unique combination of sweet and savoury—kind of like caramel and whipped cream with a teeny hint of garlic. It sounds weird, I know, and the odour is even worse, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
If you’re interested in giving the king of fruits a try, check out these stalls in Singapore. They offer the freshest durians, and some of them even have durian-infused sweet treats!
Combat Durian
From: combatdurian
Address: 206 Rangoon Rd, Hong Building
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 pm to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6592789928
Combat Durian is such a hidden gem. It’s an unassuming spot inside Hong Building, and you’ll definitely miss it if you don’t pay attention!
This stall sells Mao Shan Wang durian, and so far, everything I’ve bought has been a hit. This type of durian has vibrant yellow flesh, and its flavour profile is a rich sweetness with slightly bitter undertones. It’s also creamy, though not as creamy as Red Prawn durians.
Pro Tip:
- If you don’t know what to pick or you don’t think you can eat a whole durian, you might want to get the pre-packaged options. They still taste fresh and good.
Ah Seng Durian
From: ahsengdurian
Address: 119 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-22 & 24 Block 119 HDB Bukit Merah
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday—12 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6591596160
My friend once told me that Ah Seng, the owner of Ah Seng Durian, visits a durian plantation in Malaysia himself to make sure he’s getting the best durians. I’m not sure about the validity of that statement, but the durians I’ve eaten here are pretty good, so maybe there’s some truth to it.
Mao Shan Wang durians are the specialty here, so expect a strong sweet odour and a bittersweet flavour combination.
This shop also has a few durian-flavored treats like ice cream! The ice cream is thick and creamy, and though the durian flavour is not as intense as the real thing, it’s still distinct and cuts through the milky sweetness.
Pro Tip:
- If you’re a big fan of durian, you can book this shop for a durian-themed party. They will bring a bunch of durians for you and your guests, and you can also request durian-infused sweet treats.
227 Katong Durian
From: ieatishootipost
Address: 227 E Coast Rd
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6597514828
227 Katong Durian had humble beginnings: at first, it was just a small stall, but now, it’s a shop with a loyal following. They primarily source their durians from Johor, Malaysia, and I’ve noticed that their flavours range from bitter to super sweet.
I really like their Red Prawn durians because they’re extra creamy—almost like a custard. They’re also on the sweeter side, which I appreciate.
This shop also sells Mao Shan Wang durians if you prefer their bittersweet flavour.
Pro Tips:
- If you want to get the freshest durians possible, I recommend coming here at the right time. This shop has four batches of durians coming every day: the earliest is at 10 am, while the last batch comes at around 5 pm.
- If you order from the website, you can get free delivery if you order above S$150. And if you order before 2 pm, you’ll get same-day delivery.
Durian Culture
From: bennylmp
Address: 77 Sims Ave
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +6591801080
Durian Culture has been around since 1969, so the fact that it’s still standing to this day is a testament to its quality service. It’s also owned by the same family; it’s nice to see the new generation honouring their family’s legacy.
I love getting the Black Gold durian, which has a more intense flavour than the other types. The flesh itself is thick and juicy, and it tastes almost like liquor—rich with a deep sweetness.
Pro Tip:
- If you’re not sure which durian to get, you can have a free taste.
- This shop also sells coconut drinks. They’re perfect to pair with your custardy durians.
Sindy Durian
From: sindydurians
Address: Whampoa Dr, #01-835 BLK 89 Whampoa Spring
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—1 pm to 12 am
Contact Number: +6597102427
Sindy Durian is another durian stall that’s been around for a long time (about 30 years or so now, to be more precise) and is highly recommended by locals. This modest spot offers a wide variety of durian types; my personal favourites are the Mao Shan Wang durians.
As much as I love the fresh durians, it’s the durian desserts that I love the most here. I recommend the Swiss roll. The sponge cake (dyed black) is soft and fluffy, and the filling is made with Mao Shan Wang durian puree, so the sweet flavour stands out.
Pro Tip:
- The best time to come here is in the evening because that’s when the newest batch of durians from Malaysia arrives.
Golden Moments
From: goldenmomentsg
Address: 110 Lor 23 Geylang, #07-13, Singapore 388410
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6587668960
What I love the most about Golden Moments is that it always has a lovely variety of durians. My favourites are the Black Gold durians because of their intense flavour, but the Golden Bun durians are also great because they’re sweet without any hint of bitterness.
Another great thing about Golden Moments is its wide array of durian-flavored desserts. You have to try Mr. Gentleman; it’s a cake made with premium Valrhona chocolates and Black Gold durians.
The rich chocolate flavour meshes well with the durian’s equally rich sweetness. The durian filling is in the centre, so with every bite, I get a burst of sugary and creamy surprise.
Pro Tip:
- If you’re a big fan of this shop, you might want to join their VIP Premium Membership program. You can enjoy many fun perks, such as fresh durians at a discounted price!
Rich Star Durian
From: richstardurian
Address: 46 Sims Pl, #01-191
Operating Hours:
- Friday to Wednesday—10 am to 10 pm
- Thursday—9 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6592201177
It always takes me a moment before I order at Rich Star Durian because I’m just overwhelmed with all the options! My go-to order is the D13, which is often nicknamed the “Beginner’s Durian” because of its mellow, sweet taste (no hint of bitterness at all).
I’m also fond of the Pahang DXO durian despite its strong bitterness. It also tastes a bit like an alcoholic drink (think whiskey), and its texture is super soft.
Pro Tip:
Interested in hosting a durian event? Then, Rich Star Durian is here to make that come true.
Ah Hung D24 Sultan Durian
From: i.am.baihakki
Address: 109 Sims Ave, #107
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +6567433509
If you’re in East Singapore, then visit Ah Hung D24 Sultan, a humble spot serving high-quality durians. D24s are the highlight here, and I love that their flavour isn’t overwhelming, so I can eat a bunch without getting sick of them.
I also recommend the Red Prawn Durians. My friends describe them as tasting like Cadbury milk chocolate, and you know what, I can see that—even though the durians taste nothing like chocolate. Maybe it’s the creamy texture that reminds me of Cadbury.
Pro Tip:
- This shop only accepts cash, so keep that in mind before coming here.
Ah Di Dempsey Durian
From: ahdidempseydurian
Address: Dempsey Rd, Carpark F
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—3 pm to 11 pm
Contact Number: +6590182853
Ah Di Dempsey Durian is a well-kept secret found in the Dempsey Hill neighbourhood. It’s literally located in a car park, which I feel is the last place for a durian stall to be.
What I love about this stall is that it’s pretty friendly to beginners. All you have to do is tell the owners your preferred taste and texture, and they’ll serve you the best durian that fits the bill.
So far, I’ve done that trick multiple times now (even though I’m not really a durian beginner), and the owners have been accurate in serving me what I’m looking for.
Pro Tips:
- The only downside to this stall is that it doesn’t have any price information. You’ll have to ask the owners directly before you order anything.
- Also, keep in mind that they only accept cash here.
Parkway Durian
From: parkwayduriansg
Address: Blk 83 Marine Parade Central, ＃01-568
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +6563488460
If you’re in the Marine Parade neighbourhood, be sure to stop by Parkway Durian. This stall sources their durians from farms in Pahang, Muar, and Johor, Malaysia, so you can expect a good variety of durian types here.
I mostly buy D24s and Tekka durians here; both types taste sweet with a bitter aftertaste, though the Tekka has a firmer texture than the D24s. The Mao Shan Wang durians are also great—very creamy!
Pro Tip:
If you have no time to visit the stall in person, you can call them and have your order delivered instead. From my experience, they deliver on the same day as you order.
99 Old Trees Durian
From: 99oldtrees
Address: 1 Teo Hong Rd
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6598222495
99 Old Trees Durian is one of the most popular durian shops in Chinatown—and for good reason. This shop is sleek and modern, with quirky upcycled tree-trunk seats in the back area, and of course, the variety of durians and durian treats is impressive.
When it comes to fresh durians, the Mao Shan Wang is my go-to, but I also really like the Black Thorn here even though it’s extremely pungent and the bitterness lingers for far too long.
If you want to try the treats, I recommend the Stinky Bombs. These are cream puffs loaded with light cream and durian flesh. They’re aptly named because they do “explode” inside your mouth—overwhelming your tastebuds with a subtle bittersweet flavour.
Pro Tips:
- Do you want to learn how to choose the best durians? Then, you might want to check out their Durian Confidence Course!
- Celebrate with style by having a durian party instead! This shop will help you out.
The Durian Tree
From: ieatishootipost
Address: 277 Bukit Batok East Ave 3, #01-371
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—1:30 pm to 11:30 pm
Contact Number: +6598124148
I’ve noticed that most of the durian shops I love are in the Eastern or Central areas, so here’s a recommendation for my fellow durian enthusiasts in the West: The Durian Tree.
I recommend getting the D24 because it has that lighter flavour and custard-like flesh. Mao Shan Wang durians are also great because they perfectly balance the sweet and bitter flavours.
Pro Tips:
- I recommend coming here around 3 pm because that’s when their fresh stocks arrive. The durians here are competitively priced, so be sure to snag them before they get sold out!
- If you’re not sure which one to get, you can request a tiny sample of durian.
Durian Empire
From: durianempire
Address: Punggol Plaza, 168 Punggol Field, Basement 1 Atrium Punggol Plaza
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6597671519
One of the main reasons I love Durian Empire is the stellar staff. They’re always so nice and friendly, and they answer all our questions without any problems. Sometimes, I even forget that I’m supposed to be buying something because we just get super chatty.
The selection of durians here is also pretty good. From what I’ve noticed, the durians here tend to have smaller seeds, making them extra meaty. As for the flavour, it’s pretty consistent: strong bittersweet notes, with a creamy, custard-like texture.
Pro Tip:
If your online order reaches or exceeds three boxes, you will score free delivery!
Zeng Zu Fu
From: zenzufu
Address: Block 55 Tiong Bahru Rd, #01-02 Block 55 HDB Tiong Bahru
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Tuesday, and Thursday—2 pm to 8 pm
- Friday and Saturday—2 pm to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6588989592
I first heard about Zeng Zu Fu from my friend who loves their fresh oranges, but then I learned that they also sell fresh durians, and that caught my attention. Now that I’ve tried their durians, it’s safe to say this store has become one of my go-to durian spots.
They have the popular options here, especially the Mao Shan Wang and Black Thorn durians. But they also have Golden Phoenix, which is a durian type that I feel is often underrated. It’s rare to find one these days, so I always grab it when I can.
Golden Phoenix has a pale flesh, very unlike the other durian types, and its flavour is also bittersweet, though it does have floral notes that stand out. Needless to say, I’m a big fan.
Pro Tip:
- Planning to spice up a special event? Consider making it durian-themed! If you’re interested, fill out this form.
Durian 36
From: durian36sg
Address: 608 Geylang Rd
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +6598894906
Durian 36 is essentially a durian haven. Racks of durians are everywhere in the store, so your jaw might drop to the floor when you first step inside.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the options. You can stick to the popular types like Mao Shan Wang and D24, but there are also durians that are hard to find elsewhere.
One example is the Gang Hai durian. This one is much more fibrous than the other types, so it’s a bit on the chewier side. As for the flavour, it’s creamy and sweet, and the bitterness is subtle enough that you might not even taste it.
Pro Tip:
- Host a durian party with the help of Durian 36! Fill out this form if you’re interested.
211 House of Durian
From: yessiharyanda
Address: 211 Lor 8 Toa Payoh, #01-21 Block 211 HDB Toa Payoh
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—1 pm to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6594897781
Previously known as Sin Yee Wang Durian, 211 House of Durian is said to be the best durian seller in Toa Payoh. So, of course, I have to try it for myself, and I conclude that the locals are right to say that.
What’s great about this stall is that it offers a good variety of durians at a relatively cheaper price. Plus, they have other durian products available as well.
There’s durian puree if you want to cook or bake something infused with the durian flavour, and if you love ice cream like me, then you’ll love the durian soft-serve ice cream. The flavour is mild, but it’s definitely there.
Pro Tips:
- Towards the end of durian season (around February), this shop hosts a massive durian buffet! Be sure to look out for that when you can. I recommend following the shop on Facebook so that you won’t miss out on it.
- If you want to order for a party, you can call the shop or send an email to [email protected].
