Moin Moin Gelato (Toa Payoh)

Moin Moin Gelato is probably a name that is more familiar for those staying in the North — being a brand that had only come to existence in the local F&B scene in the later part of 2021, Moin Moin Gelato is a gelato parlour that is located in Yishun just a short walk away from Yishun Integrated Transport Hub and Northpoint City. It seems that these folks are ready to expand their business in recent times — they had since opened a second location, this time being in a more centralised location on the island in Toa Payoh. Moin Moin Gelato’s new location at Blk 79E Toa Payoh Central takes over the former premises of the now-defunct Mong Cha Cha Cafe 梦茶茶; it does seem that some work has been done to the space by Moin Moin Gelato — the most significant difference would be how the display freezer for the gelato is being placed in a position that faces outwards to the corridor of the HDB void deck. This would allow patrons performing takeaways of their gelato to make their orders without stepping foot into the store itself; provides convenience to the patrons doing takeaways, whilst also providing comfort to those dining-in by reducing unnecessary crowding within the shop space itself. Otherwise, the space does see the large use of white elements against furniture and fittings with wooden accents, though there is a wall that is painted green and another that comes with a tropical-themed wallpaper that provides some contrast — a slight departure from its clean and minimal aesthetic at their Yishun outlet. Moin Moin Gelato serves up their gelato in either cups or cones, though they do have an option of Banana Split (with three scoops of gelato of the patron’s choice) and Avalanche (with five scoops of gelato of the patron’s choice) apart from the usual Waffle option. Apart from gelato, one could also opt for savoury wraps, as well as a selection of supplied bakes and cakes that are on display in the display cabinet at the counter in the dine-in area itself, while beverages revolves around espresso-based specialty coffee, tea, drinking chocolate and fruity sodas.

One thing that we had noticed about the selection of Moin Moin Gelato’s range of gelato offerings whilst skimming through the display freezer at their Toa Payoh outlet is how they seem to have quite a number of tea-based flavours which are being stocked up here. While there is quite a variety of more conventional flavours such as Valrhona Dark Chocolate, Salted Caramel and Bubblegum, there are also a good variety of more inventive flavours such as that of Tie Guan Yin with Peach Compote, Yuzu Champagne and London Fog. After much contemplation, we had decided to go for both the Pu’er with Goji Berries and the Oolong Taro gelatos to be served in a double scoop in a single cup. The former has a brown-orange hue, while the latter came with an aesthetic where there are shades of purple swirled into the white-coloured base. Both gelato flavours did carry a smooth and creamy texture, though the consistency of the gelato here isn’t quite as sticky and did probably seem to be executed in a way that is more closer towards that of ice-cream in a way. It is also noted that the Oolong Taro also comes with a slightly more solid texture where the purple swirls are at, considering those would be from the taro element that is supposed to provide a contrast of textures to the gelato itself. Both gelato flavours carried a rather prominent note of the tea that is being mixed into the gelato base; the Oolong Taro being one with mellower tea notes, with the taro adding an earthy note that somewhat accompanied the notes of the Oolong tea quite well. In retrospect, the Goji Berries of the Pu’er with Goji Berries gelato wasn’t as prominent, though the Pu’er element provided quite a heavy flavour profile to the gelato — one that also seem to carry quite an evident smoky note that we felt was rather interesting. Whilst Toa Payoh is a neighbourhood that was once-upon-a-time saturated with many ice-cream / gelato parlours, Moin Moin Gelato had always been a little different in the flavours that they churn out since their days in Yishun — a great addition to the ‘hood that we think Toa Payoh residents would most certainly enjoy having at their convenience around their area!