Where to go for rainbow toasties, cakes and more technicolour food
Get to taste the rainbow: here’s a list of where to go for rainbow cheese toast and more psychedelically photogenic eats
By Hong Xinying
Image: hkfoodiexblogger/ Instagram
You may have read about that rainbow bagel from New York. But have you tried a rainbow toastie (toasted cheese sandwich)?
Kala Toast, a small sandwich shop from Hong Kong, has just started this bizarre food fad. Named by the shop as the “Kalaful choice” (excuse the pun), its claim to fame is a grilled cheese sandwich that’s toasted with melted cheese in fantastical hues.
This toastie was inspired by that “stringy enjoyment of mozzarella” combined with food colouring that’s made from tomatoes, basil and lavender, said owner-chef Jack Tam to Glamour magazine UK. The cheeses used for the toast are a mix of mozzarella, cheddar, emmental and gruyere.
While copycats of this trending dish have yet to reach Singapore, there are other similarly colourful food you can try. Get a taste of these technicolour treats to see if they live up to the hype, while Instagram-ing these in every possible angle.
Image: ngwingyung/ Instagram
Check out this sandwich stop, the next time you’re in Hong Kong. Besides its famed rainbow toastie, adventurous foodies can try its Cheese and durian special (a toastie made with fresh durian and cream cheese) and a Korean “gangnam style” toastie that includes kimchi and spicy marinated pork.
Prices: From HKD$35 to HKD$42 (approximately S$6.08 to S$7.29) for the rainbow toastie, depending on sandwich size
Where: 4-6 Tsuen Hing Path, Cheong Tai Building, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong
Image: Dean & Deluca Singapore/ Facebook
The gourmet grocer and cafe from New York is among the popular go-tos for the rainbow sponge cake; it currently has two outlets in Singapore. The colours you see on the cake aren’t just for show either. Each colour corresponds to a fruity flavour, from strawberry for the red layer to lemon for the yellow layer.
Prices: $7.50 per slice, $75 for the whole cake
Where: Far East Square, 47 Pekin Street #01-01, Singapore 048775, Tel: 6536 2460 and HillV2, 4 Hillview Rise #01-01, Singapore 667979, Tel: 6710 7282
Image: The Jelly Hearts
You may have seen rainbow-coloured agar agar (layered jelly) but have you tried a jelly-topped cheesecake? This colourful creation features layers of fresh strawberries, jelly and cream cheese on top of a digestive biscuit crust.
Prices: From $47 to $190, depending on the size
Where: Ehub@Downtown East, #02-111, Tel: 6583 8782; One Raffles Place, #B1-08, Tel: 6635 1868
Image: Tian Kee & Co/ Facebook
Thanks to its sweet pastel hues, the yoghurt cheesecake is among the most photographed dishes at this cafe. The yoghurt-based treat features layers of jelly-like cake above a crumbly biscuit base.
Prices: $7.50 per slice, $90 for a 10-inch cake
Where: 12 Dakota Crescent, #01-48, Singapore 390012
Image: Little Nothings
This online bakery is known for its jar cakes (sponge cakes served in a jar) and its bestselling dessert is (surprise, surprise) its Rainbow jar cake. It consists of layers of vanilla sponge cake, topped with marshmallows and buttercream.
Prices: $12 each
Where: www.littlenothingsbakery.co,Tel: 9652 4112
Image: I Am/ Facebook
If you’ve had your fair share of sponge cakes, why not try a mille crepe cake instead; this particular cake just happens to boast technicolour hues. This colourful confection is made of thin layers of crepe, sandwiched between dark and white chocolate cream.
Prices: $8.90 per slice, $80 for whole
Where: 674 North Bridge Road #01-01, Singapore 199486, Tel: 6295 5509
Image: Le Halo/ Facebook
The traditional kueh lapis (Indonesian-style layered cake) gets the technicolour treatment at this retro-themed cafe. Its signature lapis cake features the moist and buttery treat layered in seven distinct hues. It also serves a rainbow sponge cake that’s sandwiched with layers of buttercream icing.
Prices: From $1.80 per slice to $52 for a 1kg Rainbow lapis cake.
Where: Blk 4 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee #01-162, Singapore 162004, Tel: 9736 8087
Prefer a sweet treat with an alcoholic kick? This store’s Rainbow shot is the most popular item on the menu. Expect jelly in fluorescent hues, paired with a boozy, sweet-sour flavour. It features Sourz Apple liqueur and rum, with an alcohol content of 15 per cent.
Prices: $6.50 per shot
Where:180 Albert Street, #01-18, Singapore 189971, Tel: 8100 0523
Image: Buttercake n Cream/ Facebook
This western bistro at Sunset Way definitely has a knack for all things colourful, when it comes to its desserts and drinks. Some of its mocktails, cocktails and shortcakes are decked in the vivid spectrum of hues. The bistro recently reopened on April 19, after a month-long closure for a restaurant revamp.
Prices: From $8 for mocktails to $10 per cake
Where: Blk 106 Clementi St 12, #01-52, Singapore 120106, Tel: 6777 3477
