Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Jalebi
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| Jalebi |
Nothing was sponsored, we visited as regular paying customers. Photos in this post were taken between 2000 and 2024 (across 24 years!), as such, the quality of photos varies drastically due to advances in camera technology. Mobile smartphones were in their infancy and had yet to become widespread.
Also Known As:
Jalebi, Jilebi, Jilapi, Zelepi
Average Price Per Serving:
SGD $1 - $15
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List in alphabetical order - click the links to jump to entry
- 1. Ananda Bhavan Restaurant
- 2. Awadh
- 3. Jaggi’s Northern Indian Cuisine
- 4. Moghul Sweet Shop
- 5. Neha Tiffin Centre
Kamala Restaurant / Sri Kamala Vilas Restaurant
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Description:
The Jalebi is a Singaporean Indian vegetarian dessert, a type of confectionery. It consists of a deep-fried dough shaped in a circular pretzel-style, soaked in a flavoured syrup. Also known as Jilebi, Jilapi, or Zelepi, the Jalebi dish is usually priced around SGD $1 to $3 per serving. It's commonly eaten for dessert.
The dough batter for Jalebi is made with a blend of all-purpose flour or maida / refined wheat flour, corn flour or gram flour / chickpea flour, water, baking soda, plain yoghurt, and powdered turmeric. Some stalls may also include edible food colouring, in either orange, red, or yellow colours. This thick creamy batter is left to ferment between 12 to 24 hours, then deep-fried in ghee / clarified butter or vegetable oil till ready.
Separately, the flavoured syrup for Jalebi is made with a blend of water, white sugar or cane sugar, lemon juice, and powdered cardamom. Some stalls may also include rose water, honey, or saffron. This syrup is warmed, and once the deep-frying of the dough is complete, it's immersed in the hot syrup for about 2 minutes or so, then drained and served. The Jalebi will have a soft yet crisp juicy texture, with bright floral sour sweet spice flavour.
The earliest known reference to Jalebi comes from an ancient 10th century Persian Arabian cookbook. There are anecdotal claims that this dessert helps to boost energy levels. While Jalebi may be eaten on its own, it can also be accompanied by curd, yoghurt, or rose scented water.
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1. Ananda Bhavan Restaurant
@ UE BizHub East, 8 Changi Business Park Avenue 1 #01-29
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 8am – 9pm, Closed Sun
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| Taken in 2024 |
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| Taken in 2024 |
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| Taken in 2024 |
Jalebi (SGD $1) @ Ananda Bhavan Restaurant.
Founded by Kulanthaivelu Muthusamy Kaunder in 1924 with a name meaning 'House Of Bliss', this is a popular vegetarian casual eatery.
The range of sweets are displayed in appetizing fashion behind a glass display, all made in-house. Guests self-service after payment, so you'll need to know which is which before ordering.
Their rendition is among the more crispy, with the thin arms of the dough fritter cracking easily. Has bright floral sweet flavour, yum.
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2. Awadh
@ The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Road #01-33H
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 11:30am – 9:30pm, Fri - Sat 11:30am – 11:30pm
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| Taken in 2020 |
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| Taken in 2020 |
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| Taken in 2024 |
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| Taken in 2024 |
Jalebi (SGD $14) @ Awadh.
This gourmet interpretation features granny smith green apple slices coated in a cardamom and turmeric spiced batter, immersed in an aromatic rose water syrup.
Dusted with crushed pistachios, you get a soft juicy crunchy bite to texture, with tart sour sweet spice fruity floral nutty flavour.
Delicious and addictive. Served with a creamy spiced yoghurt on the side, lending milky sweet spice flavour.
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3. Jaggi’s Northern Indian Cuisine
@ 36 Race Course Road
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 10:30pm
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| Taken in 2012 |
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| Taken in 2024 |
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| Taken in 2024 |
Jalebi (SGD $1.80) @ Jaggi’s Northern Indian Cuisine.
Their rendition is relatively lighter than before, the luscious sheen of caramelised syrup gleaming in the light.
Has firm crisp brittle texture that shatters in parts when bit, carrying lovely floral earthy sweet spice flavour.
A sweet note that pairs well to end a meal.
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4. Moghul Sweet Shop
@ Little India Arcade, 48 Serangoon Road #01-16
Opening Hours: Daily 9:30am – 9pm
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| Taken in 2012 |
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| Taken in 2024 |
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| Taken in 2024 |
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| Taken in 2024 |
Jalebi (SGD $2) @ Moghul Sweet Shop.
Established in June 1996 and said to be the first and oldest Indian mithai / sweet shop in Singapore, they're known for a vast variety of colourful dessert confectionaries, made daily with fresh cow's milk.
Their rendition is the largest and most intensely coloured, with a firm crunchy texture that melts slightly with a soft chew, carrying floral sour sweet spice flavour.
Only available for takeaway, as there's no seating at this kiosk.
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5. Neha Tiffin Centre
@ Tekka Centre, 665 Buffalo Road #01-274
Opening Hours: Daily 6:30am – 9pm
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| Taken in 2024 |
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| Taken in 2024 |
Jalebi (SGD $1) @ Neha Tiffin Centre.
Opened in December 2014, this humble hawker stall sees good traffic throughout the day for their wallet-friendly South Indian savouries and North Indian sweets.
Their version is part chewy part soft in texture, with bright floral sour sweet spice flavour, a tad more puffy in shape than elsewhere.
Feels so decadent, yet enticing.
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| Taken in 2012 |
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