Nana & Friends: Singapore’s First-ever Mystery “blind box” Bingsu cafe

Cool down in Singapore’s heat with a bowl of bingsu from Nana & Friends, a super cute dessert café tucked away in Suntec City. Known for their blind box style bingsu featuring adorable themed plushies, they have just launched their first-ever collaboration with local small business Berry Winkle, featuring the quirky Bird Bois alongside a brand-new cast of Nana & Friends characters.

The Interior

You really can’t miss Nana & Friends Cafe – its eye-catching pink exterior makes it stand out from afar, almost like a candy shop come to life. The fun, pastel-hued interior is filled with playful decor of their new character series and plenty of photo-worthy corners. There is also a cozy little spot by the window where the sunlight streams in, bathing everything in a warm glow – perfect for snapping that soft, dreamy shot of your dessert.

What’s on the menu?

At Nana & Friends, you can now look forward to hearty lunch options added to the menu, making this cheerful spot a refreshing midday retreat for both sweet tooths and hungry stomachs alike.

During our visit, we had the opportunity to try the Teriyaki Chicken Bolognese Spaghetti, Golden Thigh Kampung Fried Rice with Egg, Nana & Friends x Berry Winkle Bird Bois Set, Lemon Yakult Soda and Passionfruit Yakult Soda.

All prices stated in this article are nett. There are no additional GST or service charge.

Drinks ($6.50 each)

We tried the Lemon Yakult Soda and Passionfruit Yakult Soda – both were sweet, bubbly, and super refreshing, especially on a hot day. The citrusy zing from the lemon and the fruity tang of passionfruit paired nicely with the Yakult base, making each sip light and zesty.

While the drinks were enjoyable, we did feel they were a tad on the pricey side. It would have been more fun if there were some toppings like boba or popping pearls to jazz things up a bit.

Teriyaki Chicken Bolognese Spaghetti ($9.90)

One of the new savoury additions to the menu is the Teriyaki Chicken Bolognese Spaghetti, and it was honestly a joy to eat. The bolognese sauce was a lovely balance of sweet and tangy. The teriyaki chicken – soft, tender, and beautifully marinated so that every bite was infused with that sweet-savoury glaze. Despite the slightly smaller portion of pasta, it felt quite value for money thanks to the generous number of chicken slices on the plate. And it helps leave room for dessert too!

Golden Thigh Kampung Fried Rice with Egg ($12.90)

The Golden Thigh Kampung Fried Rice with Egg is Nana & Friends’ unique take on Singapore’s beloved nasi lemak – and the golden chicken thigh definitely stole the show. It was a big, juicy piece, perfectly cooked so the meat stayed tender and could be sliced through effortlessly. The side of sambal chilli packed a fiery, satisfying punch, with a freshness that really lifted the dish.

That said, the fried rice itself didn’t quite hold up – it lacked the flavour punch we were hoping for and felt a little bland compared to the rest of the elements.

Nana & Friends x Berry Winkle Bird Bois Set ($26)

For the exciting blind box part, go for the Nana & Friends x Berry Winkle Bird Bois Set. The set includes a refreshing strawberry mango bingsu along with a Nana Taiyaki of your choice and exciting collectibles.

You will get a mystery Bird Bois wristband keyring (one of four designs) and a mystery Nana & Friends plushie keychain from the newly released Series 2 (five designs to collect!). Perfect for dessert lovers and character collectors alike, this set adds a fun, playful twist to your bingsu experience.

Strawberry Mango Bingsu

The Strawberry Mango Bingsu is not only a feast for the eyes but also a refreshing treat to beat the heat. Lightly sweet and icy, this dessert comes topped with juicy mango chunks, cute flower-shaped marshmallows, and generous drizzles of strawberry and mango syrup for a fruity, summery touch.

While it is definitely aesthetic and tasty, the portion size felt a little small for the price, and might be better suited for two people rather than a group.

Taiyaki with Matcha Cream ($5)

At Nana & Friends, the taiyaki comes in fun flavours like chocolate, matcha, strawberry, mango, and pistachio – we went with the matcha, which arrived in a gorgeous shade of green.

The matcha cream had a deep, rich bitterness that might be a bit much even for matcha fans, though the red bean filling helped to balance things out with its sweetness. Texture-wise, the taiyaki leaned more on the chewy side rather than the crispy shell you might expect. Additionally, because the cool cream filling was piped in after the taiyaki was made, it wasn’t served hot.

You can choose from five fillings, all made fresh to order: Chocolate Cream ($5), Matcha Cream ($5), Mango Cream ($5), Strawberry Cream, and Pistachio Cream ($6).

Nana & Friends Series 2 Plushie Keychains

If you are a fan of adorable collectibles, you will love the Nana & Friends Series 2 Plushie Keychains. These come in a blind box format served with the set, so you won’t know which character you will be getting – but rest assured, every single one is irresistibly cute. While Series 1 plushies are no longer being distributed, there is something new to look forward to: the upcoming customisable clothes for the Series 2 plushies, which also happen to fit Labubus too!

Berry Winkle Bird Bois’ Wristband Keychain

The Series 2 plushie keychains aren’t the only collectible surprise in the set — you’ll also receive a Berry Winkle Bird Bois’ Wristband Keychain, featuring one of four chubby, round bird characters. These little guys are just as adorable, each with their own quirky personality and soft pastel colours.

Verdict

Nana & Friends offers a fun café concept – pressing the heart button to collect your food adds to the playful charm of the blind box surprise element. While it is a self-service setup (don’t forget to return your trays!), the café still delivers on aesthetic vibes and novelty. The lunch items are reasonably priced and satisfying, though the bingsu and drinks lean towards the pricier side. Still, if you’re into cute characters and love supporting local small businesses, it’s definitely a spot worth checking out at least once.