Ernest Yen
Modern Chinese desserts and drinks are rarely found in Singapore as traditional Chinese delights are ingrained in our local culture. Nestcha, located at Haji Lane, serves to introduce these desserts and drinks to Singapore in a trendy manner by incorporating unorthodox ingredients taken from traditional Chinese desserts such as bird’s nest to even chicken floss and mochi.
Introduction to NestCha
NestCha first started out as a humble takeaway store at Chinatown Point in 2021 and began by introducing bird’s nests into its fruit and bubble tea, hence the name “NestCha”. Spurred on by the success, Nestcha opened its flagship cafe in 2021, along the lively streets of Haji Lane, where The UrbanWire had a chance to try out some signature menu items.
Drinks We Tried
Nestcha’s claim to fame is the fact that all the ingredients used in their drinks are hand-cut and made fresh in-store every day, showcasing the natural freshness and sweetness of the ingredients in every beverage! Plus, the graphic design on their cups adds to the overall aesthetic experience.
We started off with the Mango Pomelo Birds Nest ($12.90), made with fresh coconut jelly and mangoes, complete with a small jar of bird’s nest!
The Mango Pomelo Bird’s Nest drink had the perfect blend of creamy coconut and sweetness, with the freshness of the mangoes shining through. We were initially skeptical about the addition of bird’s nest to the drink but were pleasantly surprised by its delicate texture which complemented the almost crunchy and slightly sour pomelo. It was a really well-balanced drink that we would love to have more of.
Passionfruit Mango Phoenix Tea ($6.50) is made by crushing ice and passionfruit together using a large baton (check out our Tiktok for more!), before mixing it with Phoenix Tea and a scoop of mango.
The star of the show was definitely the passionfruit, as the tartness of the passionfruit mixed with the sweetness of the mango created a winning combination that will surely cool you down as you walk along Haji Lane in the unabating Singapore heat.
Desserts We Tried
Nestcha also offers a Chinese Box Cake series, ideal for sharing with your companions, or just yourself if you’re feeling particularly hungry.
The Chicken Floss Lava Cake ($8.50) consists of a layer of sea salt soy milk cream sandwiched between two chiffon cakes, enveloped in a layer of chicken floss, sesame seeds, and seaweed.
The cake was unexpectedly good, with the soft and fluffy core serving as the perfect vessel for the creamy filling and umami chicken floss. If you love sweet and savoury treats, this is the dessert for you!
The Cheesecake Mochi ($3.80) was super soft and delicate and the cheesecake filling reminded me of cream cheese. I wished the cheese flavour was a bit more prominent, but this is still perfect for those who prefer a lighter taste.
On the other hand, the Oreo Mochi ($3.80) tasted like a lighter and creamier version of the icing in between an Oreo Cookie, which complemented the chewy Mochi texture exceptionally well.
Final Thoughts
Nestcha stands out from other dessert shops through its unique incorporation of Traditional Chinese ingredients, reimagining them as Modern Chinese desserts and drinks that cater to the Singaporean palate. Furthermore, it is located in the bustling streets of Haji Lane, just a short 5-minute walk from Bugis MRT Station and home to many other trendy fashion and food spots.
We would highly recommend you try the Mango Pomelo Bird’s Nest Drink, as well as the Oreo Mochi when you visit. As it can get crowded during the weekends, I would suggest taking away the treats to bring for a walk along the street and enjoy the atmosphere!
Address: 68 Haji Lane, Singapore 189261
Opening hours:
- 12 – 9PM (Mon – Thurs)
- 12 – 10PM (Fri – Sun)
@theurbanwire Nestcha serves up delicious box cakes and refreshing drinks that contain ingredients that are hand-cut and or handmade fresh every morning. 🥭 Fun fact, the owner is a certified Swiftie so expect Taylor Swift songs to be played when you visit! Head down to Haji Lane today for good desserts and even better music! 😩 #Singapore #TheUrbanWire #Nestcha #Haji Lane #tiktoksg #fypsg #freshcutfruits #boxcakes #mochi ♬ original sound – theurbanwire