There’s a new American-inspired dessert parlour in town, offering Singapore’s first-ever frozen custards, fruit ices and more!
Say hello to Gwen’s Frozen: a quirky little takeaway spot in one of Joo Chiat’s shophouses—the pink-themed interior sports an old-school vibe, with stripes and an old-school retro signboard. There’s even a vintage telephone and a bunch of Archie comic books as part of the decor.
Gwen’s specialises in frozen desserts, especially frozen custards and ices—classic American-style treats that you won’t find anywhere else in Singapore. If you’re unfamiliar with frozen custards, think of it as an ultra dense and thick version of ice cream. Gwen’s frozen custards are made fresh daily, and unlike regular ice cream, egg yolks are added to give it a creamier and richer texture. The frozen custard is so thick that it doesn’t even fall down when the cup is held upside down!
Make-Your-Own Cyclone, $11.50
The frozen custards are priced from $6.50 each and come in Vanilla or Chocolate flavours. We recommend getting them as a Cyclone, which is a DIY version of the plain frozen custards, blended in with various toppings and add-ins of your choice. You can Make-Your-Own Cyclone ($11.50) with your choice of frozen custard and 2 add-ins. Pick from add-ins like M&Ms, Oreo bits, pretzel bits, Nutella, strawberry syrup and more.
Strawberry & Mango Ice, from $4.50
But if we had to pick our favourite treat from Gwen’s, it would have to be their refreshing fruit ices. Known as Philadelphia ices, these treats are kind of a cross between a slushy and a sorbet. They’re not as icy or watery as a slushie, but thick and velvety enough to be scooped with a spoon like a sorbet. Gwen’s ices are made from real, fresh fruits; no artificial flavourings or colours added. Ices start from $4.50 each, and you can get them in single flavours or mix & match flavours too.
Strawberry Ice & Frozen Custard, from $8
Chocolate Milkshake, $12.50
For the best of both worlds, you can even add frozen custard to your ices! The result: a pretty layered parfait-esque treat that’s creamy and milky with a subtle fruitiness—truly delightful. Other classic American-style drinks you can get here include various milkshakes, floats and sodas.
NYC Cheeseburger, $15
While Gwen’s is mostly a dessert parlour, they’ve also got a couple of hot griddle items you can order. Must-trys include the NYC Cheeseburger ($15), that’s made with their custom homemade blend of beef patties sandwiched between light and fluffy sweet buns. Gwen’s version of the cheeseburger is very classic, with the beef patty cooked to a tender and juicy medium, and no added frills or fancy sauces except for a light smear of mayo. While the burger is simple, it’s probably one of the better ones in Singapore, and definitely hits the spot if you’re looking for a decent NYC-style burger.
Philly Cheesesteak, $16
Cottage Fries, $7
Other hot food options include the Philly Cheesesteak ($16), stuffed with a generous serving of hand-shaved ribeye beef slices, and Grilled Cheese ($8.50). Their Cottage Fries ($7) are also pretty unique: they’re hand-cut to look like Ruffles chips, with some pieces being paper-crisp and others soft and fluffy.
While there’s a couple of seats and small tables available indoors if you wish to enjoy your treats and food fresh on the spot, Gwen’s is more of a takeaway joint. If you’ve got a craving for some good ol’ classic, American fare and desserts, definitely check out Gwen’s Frozen for some one-of-a-kind treats you won’t get anywhere else. You can also order your items for pick-up via WhatsApp at 8127 8085.
Gwen’s Frozen
Address: 198 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427469
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 12pm-9pm
