The cafe is founded by Lawrence Yii, 58, a major shareholder of ice cream manufacturing company Million Miles. The Malaysian-based manufacturer sells frozen treats, including durian ice pops, to countries like China and Hong Kong, where Lawrence says they’re very popular.
Lawrence, a Singapore PR, tells us that his durian cafe in Singapore is a separate venture from Million Miles, though he sells their products here.
He explains: “In Malaysia, we don’t have a retail shop, because we are the manufacturers there. It’s our first time bringing [Million Miles products] to Singapore, so we want to test the market and see the response [through the cafe],” he says. He co-owns the eatery with a partner.
Durian ice pops “top-sellers in China and Hong Kong”
“Our main product at Durian Haus is durian ice cream, ’cos it’s doing very well in China and Hong Kong,” Lawrence says.
There’s the Musang King Stick ($7.30) and Black Thorn Stick ($7.80), which Lawrence says are made with real frozen Mao Shan Wang and black thorn durians. The ice cream is adorably shaped like fresh durian segments, and have a mangosteen-flavoured centre. Cute yin and yang combo, though we haven’t tasted them yet.
Quirky durian ‘spaghetti’ ($14.80) & MSW coffee ($5.50)
Durian Haus also has a limited menu of freshly made desserts, featuring either MSW, Black Thorn or D24 durian from Malaysia. These offerings include Papa Durian Spaghetti (from $14.80 for MSW), Papa Coconut Durian Frappe ($10.50) and a range of chendol desserts, which come with toppings of either frozen durian with its seed intact, durian mochi or durian puree. Why are his desserts named ‘Papa’? Lawrence says there’s “no meaning behind it”.
The most unique dessert here is the durian spaghetti, made with either MSW ($14.80) or Black Thorn durian ($16.80). It stars swirly noodle-looking durian puree atop a chendol base. “Frozen durian paste is put into a machine to squeeze it out into spaghetti form,” explains Lawrence.
MSW white coffee is also available here, starting at $5.50 for a Papa Musang King Durian White Coffee and $7.20 for the iced version. The coffee is made with Million Miles’ instant durian white coffee (also sold here at $15.80 for 10 sachets), essentially 4-in-1 coffee made with a blend of coffee powder and durian powder.
Durian Haus is at 59 Temple St, S058604. Open daily 12pm – 9pm. Tel: 9633 3340. More info via Instagram and Facebook.
Photos: Durian Haus, Facebook/Mario Ong, Facebook/Pat Ng, Google/Donald Isaac
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