Classic hawker centre spot
Tiong Bahru Hawker
A bustling neighbourhood hawker centre in Tiong Bahru known for classic Singapore street food and kopitiam-style breakfa...
The Iconic $1.50 Ice Cream Sandwich Cart
A nostalgic look at Singapore’s beloved $1.50 ice cream sandwich — where to find the carts, what to order, and tips for eating like a local.
A $1.50 treat that tastes like childhood — portable, simple and endlessly comforting.
Watch for pandan and mango — they’re the flavour shortcuts to local nostalgia.
Why the $1.50 ice cream sandwich matters in Singapore
Small, portable and often sold from a trolley or push-cart, the $1.50 ice cream sandwich is one of those unpretentious comforts that threads through Singapore life — from schoolyard recesses to late-night supper runs. It’s as at home in a kopi tiam as it is by the beach or outside a cinema in the heartlands.
Beyond the price, the sandwich is cultural shorthand: nostalgia for older Singaporeans and a discovery for younger foodies. The ritual—choice of flavour, asking for extra condensed milk, and the satisfying squish of bread or wafer around ice cream—makes it a quintessential hawker-centre memory.
- Affordable street-dessert staple across HDB estates and hawker centres
- A quick, portable sweet perfect for supper or a park picnic
- Often sold by long-running vendors who move around the neighbourhood
What to expect at the cart: flavours, bread and variations
Most carts offer a compact selection of flavours — pandan, chocolate, vanilla, mango and red bean are common — scooped into bread slices, fluffy white loaves or sometimes wafers. Some vendors let you mix two flavours for a small extra charge; others stick to one scoop per sandwich to keep the pace quick.
Extras make the sandwich personal: a drizzle of condensed milk, a sprinkling of peanuts, or swapping bread for an ice-cream wafer. Look out for local twists like gula melaka or coconut ice cream at neighbourhood carts and occasional seasonal fruit flavours during durian or mango season.
- Common flavours: pandan, chocolate, vanilla, mango, red bean
- Breads: soft white loaf, sandwich bread, or wafer
- Toppings: condensed milk, crushed peanuts, extra scoop options
Where to hunt the cart — neighbourhoods & times
You’ll spot carts across the island: outside kopitiams in Tiong Bahru, near hawker centres like Changi Village, and around park entrances at East Coast or along quieter heartland streets. They’re also a familiar sight at supper spots and community events — keep an eye out near market exits after lunch.
Best times are late afternoon when kids swarm home from school, early evenings with the after-work crowd, and late-night when kopitiams and hawker centres become social hubs. If you’re planning a makan trail, pair an ice cream sandwich stop with a light hawker dinner so dessert doesn’t overwhelm.
- Look near kopitiams, hawker centres and park entrances
- Peak times: 3–6pm (after school), 8–10pm (supper crowd)
- Pair with light savoury hawker bites for a balanced makan
How to order, pay and enjoy like a local
Ordering is simple: point at the flavour(s), say ‘one sandwich, please’ and indicate bread or wafer. Many vendors still prefer cash — coins and small notes are handy — though some modern carts accept e-payments. Expect the classic price to be around $1.50, but be prepared for modest variation depending on location.
Savour quickly: these sandwiches are best eaten immediately while the ice cream is still firm enough to enjoy but soft enough to merge with the bread. If you want to be local: ask for extra condensed milk, split the sandwich with a friend, and don’t be shy to compliment an experienced vendor — they remember repeat customers.
- Bring small change; many carts still prefer cash
- Ask for condensed milk if you like it sweeter
- Eat immediately — the sandwich is best fresh
