A Sweet New Reason To Visit Somerset

If your dessert rotation has been feeling a little stale lately, Chan Susu just dropped into Somerset to shake things up. This new Chinese dessert cafe is serving up traditional Cantonese-style sweet soups and modern twists on classic tang shui, and it's already pulling queues from the Orchard Road crowd. Think rich, velvety taro paste, molten lava balls that ooze with every bite, and pistachio everything — this is comfort food dialled up to ten. Whether you're a die-hard tang shui fan or someone who just discovered that Chinese desserts go way beyond egg tarts, Chan Susu deserves a spot on your weekend hitlist.

What's On The Menu

The star of the show is undoubtedly the Lava Taro Balls, which arrive plump, glossy, and practically begging to be bitten into. The outer shell is made from a chewy taro dough with a satisfying QQ texture, while the centre bursts with a warm, molten taro filling that's naturally sweet without being cloying. They're served swimming in a coconut milk base that ties the whole bowl together, and honestly, it's the kind of dessert that makes you close your eyes on the first spoonful.

Then there's the Pistachio Paste, a thick, nutty bowl that feels almost luxurious for a dessert priced this accessibly. Chan Susu grinds their pistachio in-house, resulting in a texture that's smoother than most competitors and carries that distinct roasted nuttiness without artificial flavouring. It's topped with crushed pistachios and a swirl of cream for good measure. The green hue alone makes it wildly photogenic — expect to see this all over your Instagram feed within weeks.

  • Signature item: Lava Taro Balls in Coconut Milk
  • Must-try: House-Ground Pistachio Paste with Crushed Nuts
  • Also worth ordering: Black Sesame Tang Yuan, Mango Pomelo Sago
  • Price range: Approximately $5–$12 per bowl

The Vibe And Space

Chan Susu keeps things minimal and modern — clean lines, warm wood tones, and just enough seating to feel cosy without being cramped. The Somerset location puts it within easy walking distance of 313@Somerset and Orchard Central, making it a perfect pit stop after a shopping marathon or a late-afternoon pick-me-up before dinner. Service is quick and fuss-free, with most orders arriving within minutes. The cafe also offers takeaway for those who prefer to slurp their tang shui on the go, and portion sizes are generous enough that one bowl can comfortably serve as a mid-afternoon snack.

Chan Susu

📍 Somerset, Singapore

🗺 View on Google Maps

How It Stacks Up

Somerset isn't short on dessert options — you've got Mei Heong Yuen and Nine Fresh nearby — but Chan Susu carves out its own lane by leaning hard into premium ingredients and modern presentation while keeping prices wallet-friendly. The pistachio offerings alone set it apart from most traditional tang shui shops, which rarely venture beyond sesame, peanut, and red bean. It feels like a cafe that understands both the heritage of Cantonese desserts and the expectations of a younger, more adventurous crowd looking for something worth posting about.

The Verdict

Chan Susu is the kind of place that makes you rethink Chinese desserts entirely. The lava taro balls are worth the trip alone, the pistachio paste is a genuine standout, and the prices make it easy to order two bowls without guilt. Get there before the weekend queues inevitably stretch out the door — your sweet tooth will thank you.