Using coconut sugar instead of regular sugar to make milk tea gives it a special taste! In Singapore, you can buy a jar of coconut jam at the supermarket. You can spread it on toast, mix it into milk tea, bake flavorful coconut cookies, or make pandan leaf-infused cakes… There are so many possibilities!
In Singapore, people love to kickstart their day with a hearty breakfast! In the morning, they might have some coconut toast with soft-boiled eggs and a cup of AKun milk tea. The aroma wafting through the air represents the traditional breakfast of Singapore.
One of Singapore’s most renowned spots for coconut toast is “AKun”. They slather butter and coconut jam on crispy charcoal-grilled bread. With each bite, the crunchiness brings a smile! Then, the rich buttery flavor mixed with the sweet coconut tantalizes your taste buds, leaving you with a delightful sensation.
AKun’s chain stores are all over Singapore. You can even find them at Changi Airport.
AKun’s coconut toast has been around in Singapore since the 1940s. In 1926, Lee Ah Kun immigrated from Hainan, China to Singapore. He started working in a coffee shop and later teamed up with two friends to set up a stall, initially selling only coffee and toasted bread.
After his friends departed, Lee Ah Kun opted to manage the business solo. During a trip to Hainan, he met his wife, and they eventually settled in Singapore. It was his wife’s idea to slice each bread piece in half and pair it with her homemade coconut jam, giving rise to their iconic dish – coconut toast.
Coconut jam, also called “kaya,” is a popular coconut spread found in supermarkets across Southeast Asia. To make it, coconut and pandan leaves are simmered together over low heat until it thickens. It’s sweet but not too sweet, with a delicious coconut taste and a hint of fragrant pandan. Slather it on crunchy toasted bread, and you’ve got yourself a local favorite known as “coconut toast.”
To whip up this coconut toast at home, it’s super easy. Just swap your regular jam for coconut jam. Spread some butter and coconut jam on one slice of bread, then sandwich it with another slice. Pop it in the oven to warm up and let the heat meld the butter and coconut sugar between the slices. This way, you get an even more authentic flavor.
Take a bite, and you’ll enjoy the crunchy goodness of the toast! The coconut jam inside is sweet but not overwhelming, blending perfectly with the taste of butter. It’s so delicious and satisfying! The coconut jam in the middle is made from coconut milk and eggs, giving it a refreshing taste without being too sweet. (Rumor has it that the secret of its extra crispy taste is adding some Milo powder before baking!)
Just buy a pack of coconut jam, mix it with fresh milk, coconut milk, and coffee to make the perfect Singaporean-style coconut milk tea!
