The Dead Cockroach: Soon Heng Hot & Cold Desserts @ Tanglin Halt Food Centre

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Update: Soon Heng Hot & Cold Desserts have relocated. The new address has been updated at the bottom of this post.

As its name implies, Soon Heng Hot & Cold Desserts at Tanglin Halt Food Centre serves a selection of hot and cold Chinese desserts.

What I find amazing about this stall is that most of their desserts costs only a dollar per bowl! Yes! ONE DOLLAR!

That is the charm with food centres found at the older estates. Food prices are usually kept low so that the lower income and elderly could afford it.

I am totally spoilt for choice here but I decided to order the lian zi suan, ice kachang and tau suan.

This is my first time having the lian zi suan (莲子爽) or lotus seed in thickened syrup which is not commonly available in sweet soup stalls. It reminded me of tau suan except that lian zi is the star here instead of the split mung beans.

For $2, this is one of the most expensive dessert available at the stall but that's only because lian zi as a raw material does not come cheap.

Furthermore, it is time consuming to pick out the 'hearts' of the seeds which are bitter-tasting. In terms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), lotus seed helps with weight loss, improves sleep, reduces blood pressure, slows down the aging process and a plethora of other health benefits.

So you see, a bowl of lian zi suan at $2 is pretty worth it.

Just look at the amount of lian zi in the bowl! You will get a mouthful of lian zi with every bite!

The ice kachang ($1) needs no further introduction. Buried underneath the shaved ice lies a mixture of red beans, attap chee, and assorted jellies.

Honestly, this is rather bland for me. I wonder if it is in consideration of the older folks who have to watch their sugar intake therefore the auntie did not put in too much syrup and condensed milk?

Nevertheless, the ice kachang is a popular option for our weather. At the price of a dollar, I am not complaining.

This is the tau suan ($1) or split mung bean soup.

Among the three desserts that I have tried that day, this is my favorite. The beans have a good bite and texture to it.

As for the thick syrup, it is of a nice consistency while the sugar level is on point without being too bland or sweet.

The you tiao is a little soft though.