The new outlet and café called Durian Lab Café will be located beside each other at Bukit Merah. Ah Seng’s son, Leonel Shui, 29, who helps with the biz, tells 8days.sg that one of the main reasons for opening the café is to level up the brand’s look and vibe.

The communal sitting area for the original stall at Ghim Moh Market is near the toilet, and he says: “if companies want to bring their staff [here] for events, [the atmosphere] is not very nice. So we’ve been looking for a proper shop space.” Durian Lab Café is air-conditioned and sits 30 people. Leonel also hopes that the hip café concept would encourage people who dislike eating durians neat to come and try the more modern durian-themed desserts.

But here’s the most exciting bit: sweets such as Mao Shan Wang Burnt Cheesecake, Mao Shan Wang Swiss Roll, Durian Shortcake and Durian Tart will be crafted by Japanese bakery Flor Patisserie, as well as modern Singaporean joint Keong Saik Bakery. All using Ah Seng’s durian puree, of course.

But if it's the fresh fruit you prefer, pick some up from the new shop next door and bring it to the café to enjoy in air-con comfort. The catch: unlike the flagship market stall where you can pre-order your durians to ‘chope’ them, it’s only first-come-first-served and while stocks last at this new branch.

Aside from durian pastries, you can also enjoy proper coffee at the café, though details on the types of brews and beans served are unavailable at press time. Pictured: Li Nanxing at Ah Seng Durian stall at Ghim Moh during an 8days.sg shoot.

Durian Lab Café & Ah Seng Durian’s second outlet (both allow walk-ins only) open on 17 Aug. Enjoy 15% off all cakes in the café’s opening week.

Durian Lab Café is at 119 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-24, S151119. Open daily 8am – 8pm. Tel: 9159-6160. https://www.facebook.com/durianlab.cafe

Photos: Ealbert Ho/Ah Seng Durian/ Durian Lab Café