Cheapest durian delivery vendors in Singapore to satisfy your Mao Shan Wang cravings

So… there was this picture of renowned Persian beauty, Princess Qajar (her eyebrows are on fleek) who supposedly caused 13 young men to commit suicide after she rejected their offers of marriage.

We kid.

Aside from the fact that it’s fake (historic) news, Princess Qajar is very much like the King of Fruits, durian. While some might feel like puking at the mere sight of it, others love and embrace its… erm… ‘unique’ beauty.

And just like dating a princess, feasting on durian comes with a relatively steep price.

In other news… durian season 2020 is back!

Here’s a bit of good news for all durian lovers: the durian season has returned!

According to the experts, the durian season for 2020 is set to start in May and will stretch all the way till the end of June.

Here at Seedly, we may be all about budgeting and saving for the future, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t treat ourselves to the creamy, luxurious treat that is durian. At a budget of course.

That’s why we did you guys a solid and came up with a price comparison of durian stalls around Singapore. You’re welcome.

TL;DR: Where can I find the cheapest durian in Singapore? Do they provide durian delivery?

Using the most popular durian variety, Mao Shan Wang (MSW) or Mu Sang King, as a point of comparison.

Here are some things to note when deciding which store to go to for the cheapest Mao Shan Wang:

• Some durian sellers sell their durian dehusked, so be sure to check because durian is usually sold by weight
• Check the durian prices regularly on the vendor’s Facebook and websites to avoid disappointment (yep, they’re that modern now)
• Prices listed here are updated as of June 10, 2020

What’s the average market price of my favourite durian?

Here’s a rough estimate of prices for some of the most popular types of durians.

Singaporeans can expect cheaper durians this durian season as we witness a slight drop in prices across several types of durians.

Is there such a thing as durian delivery in Singapore?

Yes. In fact, with circuit breaker and most of us working from home, majority of the durian sellers are now providing delivery service so that you can still satisfy your durian craving.

Here’s a list of durian sellers that deliver in Singapore:

• 227 Katong Durian
• Ah Sam Durian
• Ah Seng Durian
• Combat Durian Blaestier
• Dr Durian
• Durian 36
• Durian Kaki
• Durian Mpire by 717 Trading
• Fruit Monkeys
• Good Durian
• Little Boss Fruit Paradise
• Melvin’s Durian
• Sin Durian
• Sindy Durian
• Spike Empire Durian
• The Durian Prince
• The Durian Tree
• TOP Durian Station

Further reading: Understanding your durian

Curious how durian sellers can tell the difference between durians? Want to impress your date the next time you jio them out for durian?

You’ll want to read this.

1) Mao Shan Wang

Mao Shan Wang comes with a combination of both bitter and sweet flesh. It is usually creamy in texture with a strong bittersweet taste.

Till today, it remains one of the most popular choices for Singaporeans.

How to differentiate: Star-shaped mark at the bottom of its husk.

2) D24

Usually thick and creamy, and less overwhelming in terms of flavour. Recommended for first-time durian eater.

How to differentiate: Stem is usually shorter compared to other breeds. Look for a brown-coloured ring at the bottom of the stem.

3) Red Prawn

The flesh of Red Prawn is usually orange-red in colour. And it’s usually more on the sweet side.

How to differentiate: Husk is brown in colour, with short thorns.

4) Golden Phoenix

Golden Phoenix, unlike Red Prawn, lies on the other extreme of the taste buds. It is more known for its bitter taste.

How to differentiate: Sharp needle-like thorns. Fruit usually oval in shape.

5) XO

Like its name, XO durians give an aftertaste similar to that of drinking alcohol.

How to differentiate: Thorns usually pointed inwards at the base of the fruit.

6) Black Gold

Higher grade than the famous Mao Shan Wang, and comes with an intense buttery, bitter aftertaste.

How to differentiate: Dark greyish undertones on the flesh.

How to choose a durian

I also spoke to some durian uncles and aunties to learn the trade secret of picking the best durian:

• Smell: Smell along the indentations of the durian. Note the strong durian smell. If there isn’t any, the fruit is probably not ripe yet.
• Shake the fruit: If it feels as though the flesh of the fruit has lots of room to move, the fruit is probably not ripe yet.
• Look at the shape of the durian: Irregular shapes usually mean that the fruit is creamier.

Pro tip: Ensure that the vendor opens a new durian in front of you to prevent them from trying to sell you one that was rejected by the previous customer. I know because I learnt the hard way…

This article was first published in Seedly.