Kaya toast dipped into soft-boiled eggKaya toast with kopi and teh tarik served in a Singaporean cafe in Seoul, South Korea
It is believed that Hainanese immigrants to Singapore created the kaya toast by adapting what they had previously prepared while serving on British ships docked at the Port of Singapore during the Straits Settlements period.[3][5] The kaya spread was considered a replacement for Western fruit jams.[6][7]
In the past, traditional snack shops could only be found in a few locations such as Chinatown and Balestier Road. However, Singapore started actively promoting its street food or hawker fare via the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). In 1994, it held a month-long event to advertise traditional foods called the Singaporean Food Festival, which is hosted every year. Particularly in 2004, Kaya toast was featured by the Singapore Tourism Board in its "Uniquely Singapore Shop & Eat Tours", serving as the symbol for a local snack.[8]
Government efforts of placing coffee carts situated on the streets into hawker centres also significantly assisted the kaya toast business. As of December 2005, the Singapore foodscape houses an estimate of over 70 outlets selling kaya toast, excluding small coffee-shops that are not listed on the internet or does not have a website. Since then, kaya toast has become a regular item in café and can be found at almost every hawker centre.[9]
The preparation method and appearance of kaya toast has changed. Sellers use electric grills instead of the traditional charcoal grills. Previously, hawker workers would use homemade bread but have now opted to order bread supplies from factories. While the methods and ingredients have been simplified, one thing that has yet to change drastically is the kaya spread itself. The kaya spreads used in renowned retailers, such as Ya Kun Kaya Toast and Killiney Kopitiam, are still produced from traditional recipes. It is also worth noting that changes in the method, menu, and economy have not necessarily led to a decline in traditional food sellers. Singapore itself does not prevent the rise of micro-entrepreneurs in the department of traditional food.[10]
In June 2021, South Korean convenience store chain CU announced that it has begun selling Kaya toast at all of their stores as part of their "Singapore Gourmet Trip series".[11]
One slice of kaya toast is usually accompanied by another with butter, to make a sandwich, alongside coffee and two runny soft-boiled eggs, paired with dark soy sauce and white pepper.[3]
In Indonesia and Malaysia, roti bakar or toast which is prepared with butter and kaya is sometimes referred to as "kaya toast" in English, although the method of preparation and taste differs.[13][14][15]
^Lonely Planet Food. Lonely Planet Eat Malaysia & Singapore: The complete companion to Malaysia & Singapore's cuisine and food culture (Lonely Planet Eat). ISBN1838695184.
