Overview
Ms Durian at Jalan Besar has carved out a unique niche in Singapore’s competitive durian landscape by offering more than just the traditional roadside durian-eating experience. This establishment specializes in elevating the King of Fruits through handcrafted Mao Shan Wang (MSW) durian cakes, pastries, and innovative savoury creations, while still maintaining its roots by selling fresh durians during the harvest season.
Located at 11 Kelantan Road, just a short walk from Jalan Besar MRT station on the Downtown Line, Ms Durian presents itself as a refined alternative to the typical durian stalls scattered across Singapore. The brand has successfully bridged the gap between traditional durian appreciation and contemporary café culture, creating a space where durian enthusiasts can enjoy their beloved fruit in air-conditioned comfort.
What They Offer
Ms Durian specializes in handcrafted Mao Shan Wang (MSW) durian cakes and pastries, along with savoury creations and fresh durians during durian season.
Dishes Reviewed
Durian Lover Set ($26.80) – Rating: 4.5/5
- Includes MSW Cake, Durian Pod, and Lemongrass Pandan Drink
- The chiffon sponge was extremely fluffy and paired with Madagascar Vanilla Chantilly Cream
- The MSW filling was slightly sweet but overall well-executed
King of Durian Nasi Lemak ($46) – Rating: 3.8/5
- Features MSW durian coconut rice with fresh durian, fried mackerel, marinated chicken wing, and sunny side up egg
- The house-made sambal creates an interesting flavor combination with the durian
- Minor issues: rice needed more coconut richness, fish was slightly dry
Ambiance
The venue offers a cozy environment and is setting up an alfresco area with tents and durian stands for an authentic roadside experience.
Location: 11 Kelantan Road (nearest MRT: Jalan Besar on Downtown Line)
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The Menu: Sweet and Savoury Durian Innovations
Durian Lover Set ($26.80) – Rating: 4.5/5
The star of the sweet offerings is undoubtedly the Durian Lover Set, a thoughtfully curated combination that showcases Ms Durian’s expertise in durian pastry creation. Priced at $26.80, this set includes an original MSW Cake, a Durian Pod, and a refreshing Lemongrass Pandan Drink.
The MSW Cake
The MSW cake at Ms Durian demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship in pastry making. The foundation is a chiffon sponge layer that achieves what many bakeries struggle with—a texture that is supremely fluffy and airy without being dry or crumbly. This delicate sponge provides the perfect canvas for the star ingredient: premium Mao Shan Wang durian.
What sets this cake apart is the Madagascar Vanilla Chantilly Cream that acts as the harmonizing element between the sponge and the MSW filling. This isn’t just any whipped cream; it’s a light, elegant accompaniment that doesn’t overpower the durian’s natural complexity. The vanilla notes are subtle enough to enhance rather than mask the durian’s distinctive flavor profile.
The MSW filling itself is generously portioned and features the characteristic bittersweet notes that MSW is famous for. However, the reviewer noted that the filling leaned slightly toward the sweeter side of the spectrum. For purists who prefer their durian with more pronounced bitter notes, this might be a minor consideration. That said, the overall execution remains impressive, and the cake ranks among the better durian cakes available in Singapore—no small feat given the proliferation of durian dessert options in recent years.
The Durian Pod
The set includes a durian pod, allowing diners to experience fresh durian alongside the pastry creation. During the review visit, despite challenging weather conditions with recent rainfall (which can affect durian quality), the team at Ms Durian managed to select a quality MSW pod. This attention to selection is crucial, as even the best durian variety can disappoint if not properly chosen at peak ripeness.
Lemongrass Pandan Drink
Rounding out the set is a Lemongrass Pandan Drink, a thoughtful pairing that provides a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of durian. The combination of lemongrass and pandan—both aromatic Southeast Asian ingredients—creates a cleansing effect on the palate, making it easier to appreciate the different durian elements in the set.
King of Durian Nasi Lemak ($46) – Rating: 3.8/5
Where Ms Durian truly pushes boundaries is in its savoury offerings, and the King of Durian Nasi Lemak represents one of the most intriguing items on the menu. At $46, this is certainly a premium interpretation of Singapore’s beloved national dish, but the price point reflects both the quality of ingredients and the novelty of the concept.
The Concept
The idea of durian with coconut rice isn’t entirely new—it’s a traditional dessert combination enjoyed across Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia and Thailand. However, Ms Durian takes this familiar pairing and reimagines it as a complete savory meal, creating an entirely different culinary experience.
The Components
The dish features several key elements:
- MSW Durian Coconut Rice: The foundation of the dish, this rice is infused with coconut and topped with fresh MSW durian. While the concept is sound, the execution could benefit from a more pronounced coconut richness. A bolder coconut flavor would provide better contrast to the durian and create a more cohesive base for the other components.
- Fresh MSW Durian: Generous portions of premium MSW durian are incorporated into the dish, ensuring that the “King of Durian” moniker is well-earned.
- Fried Mackerel: Unfortunately, the fish component was noted to be slightly on the dry side. This is a common challenge with fried fish preparations, where the delicate balance between achieving a crispy exterior and maintaining moist flesh can be difficult to perfect consistently.
- House-Marinated Chicken Wing: A highlight of the dish, the chicken wing was well-executed with good flavor from the house marinade. This component successfully held its own against the strong durian presence.
- Sunny Side Up Egg: A classic nasi lemak component that adds richness and provides a familiar anchor point in this otherwise unconventional dish.
- House-Made Sambal: Perhaps the most crucial element, the house-made sambal introduces a fascinating flavor interplay with the durian. The spicy, savory notes of the sambal create an unexpected but compelling chemistry with the durian’s creamy sweetness. This combination is what elevates the dish from novelty to genuine culinary innovation.
The Verdict on Savoury Durian
The King of Durian Nasi Lemak represents a bold experiment in flavor combination. While it may not be for everyone—durian already divides opinions, and adding it to a savoury context will only further polarize—those with adventurous palates will find much to appreciate. The dish successfully demonstrates that durian can work in savoury applications beyond traditional pairings, though some refinement in execution (particularly with the fish and rice) would elevate it further.
Fresh Durian Selection
During durian season, Ms Durian offers fresh durians for purchase and immediate consumption. The quality control appears to be reliable, with staff demonstrating good judgment in selecting pods even under less-than-ideal conditions. For those who want to ensure they’re getting quality fruit, having knowledgeable staff who can pick good durians from a varied lot is invaluable.
The availability of fresh durians allows customers to compare the raw fruit with the pastry and savoury interpretations, creating a comprehensive durian experience under one roof.
Ambiance and Atmosphere
Ms Durian has invested in creating a comfortable, cosy environment that challenges the stereotype of durian consumption as necessarily messy, pungent, and roadside. The air-conditioned interior provides a welcome respite from Singapore’s tropical heat while enjoying what is often considered a “heaty” fruit.
The establishment is currently expanding its offerings by setting up an alfresco dining area complete with tents and durian stands. This addition is particularly clever, as it caters to traditionalists who prefer the authentic roadside durian-eating experience while still maintaining the option of indoor comfort for those who prefer it. This dual approach allows Ms Durian to appeal to both camps: those seeking a refined, café-style experience and those wanting the nostalgic thrill of outdoor durian sessions.
The interior design appears thoughtfully considered for its purpose—cosy enough to encourage lingering but practical enough to accommodate the unique requirements of serving durian (which, despite best efforts, will always carry its distinctive aroma).
Service and Expertise
While the review doesn’t extensively detail service interactions, the ability of staff to select quality durians despite challenging conditions suggests a level of expertise and care. In the durian business, knowledge is paramount—being able to identify peak ripeness, understand different varieties, and match customer preferences to specific pods requires experience and training.
Value Proposition
Sweet Offerings: At $26.80, the Durian Lover Set represents reasonable value given that it includes a premium MSW cake, fresh durian, and a beverage. Considering that good MSW durian can easily cost $20-30 per kilogram, and quality durian cakes typically range from $15-25, the bundling provides moderate savings while ensuring a complete experience.
Savoury Offerings: The King of Durian Nasi Lemak at $46 positions itself firmly in the premium category. This price point will likely deter casual diners but may be justified for those seeking a unique culinary experience or special occasion meal. The inclusion of premium MSW durian, multiple protein components, and the novelty factor all contribute to the pricing.
Fresh Durian: Pricing for fresh durians wasn’t specified in the review but presumably follows market rates for the quality offered.
Target Audience
Ms Durian caters to several distinct customer segments:
- Durian Enthusiasts: Those who appreciate quality durian and want to explore beyond traditional consumption methods.
- Café Culture Seekers: Customers who enjoy the café experience and appreciate artisanal food products with local flavour profiles.
- Adventurous Eaters: Diners willing to try innovative flavour combinations, particularly in the savoury applications of typically sweet ingredients.
- Tourists and Curious Visitors: Those wanting to experience durian in a comfortable, accessible environment without committing to a full roadside durian session.
- Gift Shoppers: The handcrafted cakes make excellent gifts for durian-loving friends and family, particularly those who might not have easy access to fresh durians.
Strengths
- Innovation: Successfully expanding durian beyond traditional boundaries into pastries and savoury dishes
- Quality Control: Careful selection of durians and premium ingredients
- Comfortable Environment: Air-conditioned space that makes durian accessible to a broader audience
- Versatility: Offering both traditional (fresh durian) and modern (cakes, savoury dishes) options
- Expanding Facilities: Addition of alfresco area shows responsiveness to different customer preferences
- Pastry Expertise: The MSW cake demonstrates genuine skill in baking and flavor balance
Areas for Improvement
- Coconut Rice: Could benefit from more pronounced coconut flavor to better complement the durian
- Fish Preparation: The fried mackerel needs attention to prevent dryness
- Sweetness Balance: Some customers might prefer less sweet durian filling in the cakes
- Price Accessibility: The premium pricing might limit frequency of visits for regular customers
Comparison to Competition
Singapore’s durian scene is incredibly competitive, with options ranging from traditional roadside stalls to upscale durian cafés and dessert specialists. Ms Durian occupies an interesting middle ground—more refined than roadside stalls but potentially more approachable than some of the ultra-premium durian dessert boutiques.
The addition of savoury dishes distinguishes Ms Durian from many competitors who focus exclusively on desserts or fresh fruit. This diversification could be a significant competitive advantage if execution continues to improve.
Practical Information
Location: 11 Kelantan Road, Singapore 208604
Nearest MRT: Jalan Besar (Downtown Line) – approximately 5-10 minute walk
Contact: +65 6962 0057
Accessibility: The Jalan Besar area is well-connected by public transport, making Ms Durian relatively accessible to both locals and tourists. Street parking in the area can be challenging during peak hours.
Social Media: Active on Facebook, Instagram, and maintains a website for updates on seasonal offerings and availability.
Final Thoughts
Ms Durian represents an interesting evolution in how Singapore approaches its relationship with the King of Fruits. By creating a comfortable, modern environment while still respecting traditional durian appreciation, the establishment successfully bridges generational and cultural preferences.
The sweet offerings, particularly the MSW cake, demonstrate genuine pastry craftsmanship and deserve the 4.5/5 rating. These items would satisfy both durian enthusiasts and those simply seeking quality desserts. The savoury innovations, while not yet perfected, show promise and creativity that could define Ms Durian’s unique position in the market.
For first-time visitors, the Durian Lover Set provides an excellent introduction to what Ms Durian offers. More adventurous diners should definitely try the King of Durian Nasi Lemak, if only for the experience and the conversation piece it provides.
As Ms Durian continues to refine its offerings and expand its facilities, it has the potential to become a significant destination for durian lovers seeking something beyond the traditional experience. The combination of quality ingredients, innovative preparations, and comfortable atmosphere positions it well for continued success in Singapore’s demanding food landscape.
Overall Rating: 4.2/5
Recommendation: Highly recommended for durian enthusiasts and those interested in innovative local cuisine. Best visited during durian season for the complete experience. The sweet offerings are particularly strong and suitable for gifts or personal indulgence.
Review based on visit during the 2025 durian harvest season. Prices and menu items subject to change.