A Sweet New Reason To Head To Somerset

If your dessert radar hasn't already picked up on this, there's a new Chinese dessert cafe making waves along the Somerset stretch, and it's bringing a style of sweets that Singapore doesn't see nearly enough of. Chan Susu has quietly opened its doors, serving up a menu of traditional Chinese desserts with a modern, photogenic twist — think lava taro balls oozing with molten filling, house-made pistachio paste, and silky tofu puddings that look almost too good to eat. Almost.

The cafe draws heavy inspiration from Cantonese and Fujianese dessert traditions, the kind of comforting, textured sweets that your grandmother might have made if she had an Instagram account. It's a welcome addition to a neighbourhood better known for bubble tea chains and matcha lattes, offering something genuinely different for anyone tired of the usual cafe-hopping circuit around Orchard.

What To Order At Chan Susu

The star of the menu is undoubtedly the lava taro balls. These plump, QQ-textured orbs are made from real taro, giving them a gorgeous natural purple hue, and they're filled with a warm, gooey centre that spills out the moment you bite in. They're served in a light sugar syrup or alongside other toppings like sweet potato balls and chewy mochi, making each bowl a textural playground. If you've ever had Taiwanese taro balls at a night market, imagine those elevated several notches with a molten core.

Then there's the pistachio paste, which deserves its own spotlight. Rich, nutty, and not overly sweet, it's served as a warm, creamy bowl that feels like a sophisticated take on the classic peanut or black sesame pastes found at traditional dessert stalls. The pistachio flavour is genuine and intense — this isn't the artificial green stuff you find in mass-produced pastries. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of coconut milk and you've got yourself a proper treat.

  • Must-try: Lava taro balls in sweet syrup
  • Don't skip: Pistachio paste with coconut milk
  • Also worth ordering: Silky tofu pudding with brown sugar syrup
  • Price range: Approximately $5–$12 per item

Beyond the headliners, the menu also features classic tofu puddings, grass jelly combinations, and seasonal specials that rotate regularly. The portions are generous enough to share, though you probably won't want to. The interior leans clean and minimal with warm wood tones and soft lighting — very much designed for lingering over a bowl of something warm, and yes, for snapping a few photos before you dig in.

Chan Susu

📍 Somerset area, Singapore

⏰ Hours may vary — check their socials for latest updates

🗺 View on Google Maps

The Verdict

Chan Susu fills a gap that's been quietly growing in Singapore's dessert scene. While we're spoiled for choice when it comes to burnt cheesecake, soufflé pancakes, and artisan gelato, genuinely well-executed Chinese desserts in a modern cafe setting remain surprisingly rare. This spot nails the balance between tradition and presentation without sacrificing flavour for aesthetics. Whether you're a taro devotee, a pistachio fanatic, or simply looking for a new post-dinner sweet spot around Somerset, Chan Susu is well worth the detour. Get there before the weekend queues inevitably start forming.