By The Table desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
The classic Singapore breakfast is the kaya toast set. It comes with thin toast spread with kaya (a coconut-and-egg jam) and a slab of cold butter, two soft-boiled eggs, and a kopi or teh. In July 2026, the big chains charged between S$6.20 and S$7.40 for a set. A neighbourhood coffee shop usually charges less.
Quick facts
- Kaya is coconut milk, eggs and sugar, usually with pandan.
- The eggs come barely set. Crack them into the saucer and add dark soy and white pepper.
- Chain sets cost S$6.20 to S$7.40 (July 2026).
- Ya Kun’s set went from S$4.80 to S$6.30.
- In the 2022–23 IPS survey, a breakfast set was the cheapest breakfast, at S$3.25 on average.
- Other breakfasts: nasi lemak, chwee kueh, carrot cake, prata and fried bee hoon.
What is kaya?
A jam of coconut milk, eggs and sugar, cooked slowly until thick. You’ll see two styles. Brown, Hainanese-style kaya is darkened with caramelised sugar; green, Nyonya-style kaya is coloured and scented with pandan.
How is the toast made?
The classic version is thin bread toasted crisp, traditionally over a charcoal grill, then spread with kaya and sandwiched around a thin slab of cold butter. Some shops use margarine instead of butter, and the difference shows.
How do I eat the eggs?
Crack both into the saucer, add a few drops of dark soy and a shake of white pepper, and stir. Then either drink them from the saucer or dip the toast in. The whites should be only just set; that’s the point.
What does a set cost?
Here’s what a July 2026 comparison of the chains found:
| Chain | Kaya toast set |
|---|---|
| Toast Box | S$7.40 |
| Killiney Kopitiam | S$6.90 |
| Ya Kun Kaya Toast | S$6.30 |
| Heavenly Wang | S$6.20 |
| Fun Toast | S$6.20 |
Ya Kun’s rise from S$4.80 to S$6.30 caused a backlash. Neighbourhood stalls still undercut the chains: one was selling sets at S$3.80 in 2024. In the IPS survey, the average set rose from S$3.07 in late 2022 to S$3.28 in early 2023.
What else does Singapore eat for breakfast?
Nasi lemak with a fried egg; chwee kueh with preserved radish; carrot cake; prata with curry; fried bee hoon with a sunny-side-up egg; and you tiao with soy milk. The glossary on this desk has one line on each.
The WahLiao Verdict
The chains sell convenience and consistency. The neighbourhood coffee shop sells the same set for less, and the eggs are no different. Order the set with kopi O siew dai, and do the eggs properly: soy, pepper, stir.
Questions people ask
Is kaya toast sweet?
Yes. The kaya is sweet and the butter balances it.
Can I get a halal kaya toast set?
Yes. Heavenly Wang is halal-certified, and there are others; look for the MUIS certificate.
Why are the eggs so runny?
That’s how they’re meant to be. Ask for them cooked longer and many stalls will oblige.
Is it butter or margarine?
It varies by shop, so ask if it matters to you.
Sources: Eatbook, kaya toast chain comparison (July 2026); Eatbook on a S$3.80 neighbourhood set (August 2024); IPS, Makan Index 2.0 (2023); Burpple on the classic set.
Read next: How to Order Kopi in Singapore · The Singapore Hawker Food Glossary · Back to The Table
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
