Can a dessert be good for you? With the best bird’s nest brands in Singapore, you can have your dessert and eat it too! Edible bird’s nests (yan wo) is a traditional chinese medicine (TCM) that is known for its healing properties and benefits for the skin and overall health. We’ve rounded up the best bird’s nest brands in Singapore so you can get your daily dose of collagen! Plus, we’ve also included a guide on how to cook bird’s nests!
Our Recommendations
Best bird’s nest Singapore (2024): Overview
| Type of bird’s nest | Brand | Flavours we recommend | Best for |
| Bottled bird’s nest | New Moon |
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| Kinohimitsu |
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| BRAND’S |
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| Dragon Brand |
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| Eu Yan Sang |
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| Trulife |
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| The Purest Co |
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| BONBACK |
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| Dry bird’s nest | Pristine Farm |
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| Royal Origin |
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| Yuxiangyan |
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Best bird’s nest Singapore: Bottled bird’s nest
1. New Moon Bird’s Nest
New Moon is a household brand that’s no stranger to Singaporeans. Apart from offering the best abalones in Singapore, they also offer some of the best bottled bird’s nests too. The New Moon Bird’s Nest with White Fungus and Rock Sugar is one of their bestsellers for good reason. It’s made from premium-grade bird’s nests that’s prepared with a traditional simmering process to preserve the nutrients. Therefore, you can be well assured that you’ll be reaping all the benefits you can get! We also love that they’ve paired it with white fungus which is rich in fibre and collagen for an extra nutrients boost!
Another highly recommended option is the New Moon Bird’s Nest with Collagen Strips (both available on New Moon Official Store) that’s perfect for those who are drinking it to achieve a more radiant complexion. It’s prepared with hydrolyzed marine collagen peptides that are easily absorbed by the body.
2. Kinohimitsu Bird’s Nest
It’s a no-brainer to include Kinohimitsu in our list of the best bird’s nest brands in Singapore. They offer a deluge of flavours that are made with meticulously sourced ingredients for immaculate quality. That’s not all, though – they’re delicious too! The most popular variation is the Kinohimitsu Bird Nest with Red Dates and Wolfberries which are ingredients that are especially good for women. This is because red dates promote blood circulation while wolfberries are high in iron. These help to ease period cramps and nourish the blood so you’ll have an easier time when great aunt flo visits.
Another highly-raved option is the Kinohimitsu Ginseng Bird Nest Gift Set (both available on Kinohimitsu Official Store) which is a great gift for parents and grandparents! Ginseng is known for health benefits like improving memory, invigorating qi, as well as anti-ageing effects. That’s why we love this Kinohimitsu Bird Nest as it’s jam-packed essential nutrients your body needs!
3. BRAND’S Bird’s Nest
Most Singaporeans would have heard of BRAND’S bird nest drinks, which is as popular as their BRAND’S chicken essence. Their BRAND’S Bird’s Nest Less Sugar is one of the best bottled bird’s nests in Singapore that provides an invigorating health boost to anyone, and serves as a delicious dessert without all that added sugar. BRAND’S bird nest uses nests harvested from caves in the Southeast Asian region, making it a local specialty that you can savour any time. The BRAND’S Bird Nest is also formulated without artificial flavouring or preservatives, and kept fresh with their Triple Safety Cap. For a healthier alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste, try the BRAND’S Bird Nest Sugar Free (both available on BRAND’S OFFICIAL STORE) for guilt-free enjoyment!
4. Dragon Brand Bird’s Nest
Another household name that offers some of the best bird’s nests in Singapore is the Dragon Brand Bird’s Nest. Having been around since 1957, they have become a household name that has garnered a loyal customer base. According to bird’s nest connoisseurs out there, Dragon Brand bird’s nests stand out against its competitors in terms of both taste and texture, with high-quality bird’s nests that are soft enough to enjoy in a drink, yet firm enough to provide a satisfying chew. As one of the best bird’s nest brands in Singapore, Dragon brand is known for putting quality and freshness first – each bird’s nest is hand-picked and cleaned without the use of bleaching agents!
The Dragon Brand Superior Jin Si Guan Yan Bird’s Nest is one of their most popular products. It is prepared with quality bird’s nest which gives it its distinct clean and gelatinous taste, paired with refined rock sugar that adds an aromatic sweetness to the beverage. If you’re looking for an everyday bird’s nest drink, the Dragon Brand Bird’s Nest Beverage (both available on Dragon Brand Bird’s Nest Official Store) is a wallet-friendly option that still contains a good amount of bird’s nest!
5. Eu Yan Sang Bird’s Nest
Another frontrunner for the best bird’s nest brands in Singapore is none other than Eu Yan Sang. With over 140 years of experience in TCM under their belt, they’re definitely one of the most trusted names for bird’s nest tonics. That’s we also recommend the Eu Yan Sang Superior Bird’s Nest With Rock Sugar when you’re looking for the best bird’s nests in Singapore. It is made with superior quality cave bird’s nest with complete strands – no shredded bird’s nest slivers here! All ingredients are natural, and this Eu Yan Sang Bird’s Nest is also formulated with 25% less sugar for those who are conscious about sugar intake.
For expectant mums and new mums who require pre or post-natal nourishment, opt for the Eu Yan Sang Premium Concentrated Bird’s Nest (both available on Eu Yan Sang Official Store) which packs a punch in nutrients. These are also great for those recovering from an illness or injury.
6. Trulife Bird’s Nest
Looking for a baby shower present for your friend who’s expecting or something to gift your in-laws this Mid-Autumn? Cue the Trulife Premium Bird’s Nest Sugar Free Gift Pack that’s beautifully packaged and ready for gifting! Plus, its content is as presentable as its packaging, boasting a rich texture thanks to the high quantity of premium grade bird’s nests. This Trulife Bird’s Nest is also prepared without artificial colouring, preservations, and sugar, which makes it a great choice for elderly relatives. If you’re not ready to narrow down on one flavour yet, get the Trulife Premium Mix Bird’s Nest (both available on Trulife SG Official Store) which contains all their flavours. This includes the one with ginseng, rock sugar, collagen, as well as a sugar free option!
7. The Purest Co Bird’s Nest
If you’re particular about finding out exactly how much bird’s nest is in each bottle, look no further than the bottled bird’s nests from The Purest Co. They are one of the only brands that specify their grammage (9 grams in each concentrated bottle), and the brand places high emphasis on the quality of their ingredients. In addition, The Purest Co bird’s nests are made with their unique homemade recipes, with each bottle is produced from small batch cooking to ensure that they’re the freshest when delivered. That’s why they are one of the best bird’s nest brands in Singapore.
For a taste of all their signature flavours, get The Purest Co Bird’s Nest Mini Treats (available The Purest Co Official Store). This includes American ginseng, rosebuds, and the classic rock sugar. Prefer a purer taste without additional ingredients? The Purest Co Bird’s Nest with No Sugar (available on The Purest Co Official Store) won’t disappoint! They are made from ethically harvested bird’s nests from abandoned nests, and meticulously prepared with their homemade recipe.
8. BONBACK Bird’s Nest
If you’re looking for the best bird’s nest in Singapore that’s also sugarfree, then we recommend the BONBACK Real Cave Bird’s Nest Beverage, which is made with high-altitude bird’s nests that are hand-cleaned to preserve its nutrients. This brand of bird’s nest is known for its xylitol formula, which uses artificial sweeteners instead of sugar – perfect for those watching their glucose.
However, BONBACK also offers non-xylitol versions with unique flavours that compliment the delicate texture of bird’s nest. We especially like the cooling effect of their Real Cave Bird’s Nest Beverage with Coconut Water, and the fragrant flavours of their Real Cave Bird’s Nest Beverage with Honey and Chamomile (all available on Bonback Singapore Official Store). These are some of the best bird’s nests in Singapore, so drink up for a collagen boost!
Best bird’s nest Singapore: Dry bird’s nest
9. Pristine Farm Bird’s Nest
While most brands only offer bottled bird’s nests, Pristine Farm has got you covered with everything from dry bird’s nests options to freshly cooked ones. The Pristine Farm Dry Bird’s Nest (available on PristineFarm.sg Official Store) comes in a variety of types you can choose from. In order of quality, this includes the superior golden bowl, long strand golden, premium oval, premium oval crack, and premium crumbs. These are all harvested from their own farms in Indonesia, and are processed using the dry pick method which preserves the most nutrition. Not sure how to prepare the Pristine Farm bird’s nests? We’ve included a guide on how to cook bird’s nests at the end of this article!
10. Royal Origin Bird’s Nest
If you’re going to shell out for a piece of dry bird nest, you’ve got to make sure you’re buying from a reputable brand to avoid fakes. Having been in the bird’s nest trade since 1964, Royal Origin is one of the best brands in Singapore that you can trust. Their Dry Bird Nest (available on ROYAL ORIGIN Premium Bird Nest) is available in a few grades. For the best quality, get the bowl shaped one that has the longest strand of nest obtained. If you prefer a softer texture that requires shorter cooking time, you can opt for the mesh shaped one that can be prepared within half an hour. As one of the best bird’s nest brands in Singapore, all dry bird’s nests from Royal Origin are naturally processed without any chemicals, and do not contain any edible glue or coating!
11. Yuxiangyan Bird’s Nest
Yuxiangyan is a homegrown brand with swiftlet nesting houses and factories that produce premium grade bird’s nests. The Yuxiangyan Jin Si Yan Premium Dried Bird’s Nest is made of clean strands arranged in a comb cup. For a slightly more affordable option, the Yuxiangyan Yan Tiao Premium Dried Bird’s Nest is of solid quality as well. Yuxiangyan bird’s nests are harvested without chemicals, fragrances, and colouring, preserving the nutrients in the bird’s nest. Another crowd-favourite is their freshly cooked options like the Yuxiangyan Fresh Cooked Rock Sugar Bird’s Nest (all available on Yuxiangyan Official Store)! All in all, they’re a one-stop solution for all your bird’s nest needs.
What is bird’s nest?
Sweet with a jelly-like texture and egg-white aroma, bird’s nests are almost divine as a dessert. But what exactly are they? Bird’s nests aren’t made of twigs and leaves (obviously), but the solidified saliva of swiftlets. These nests are made by male swiftlets for their wives to lay eggs. If it sounds a tad off-putting that you’re actually drinking spit, read on for the myriad of benefits that make bird’s nests worth drinking!
What are the benefits of bird’s nest?
Bird’s nest is hailed to be one of the best tonics for all ages – whether it’s for your sister who just gave birth, your child who’s still developing, or your grandparents in their silver years. Not sure what exactly it does for the body? Here are some of the main benefits of bird’s nest that you should know when drinking it.
| Bird’s nest nutritional content | Health benefits | Best for |
| Glycoprotein | Boosts overall immunity | General health for all ages |
| Proteins with Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) | Promotes collagen production, maintaining a youthful complexion | Beauty purposes |
| Amino acids | Increases cell regeneration | Those recovering |
| Sialic acid | Enhances cognitive performance, promotes brain development | Children |
| Calcium | Improves bone health | Elderly |
How to choose dry bird’s nests?
Not all bird’s nests are harvested equal, which is why you’ll see dry bird’s nests going at different price points. Here’s some of the key differentiators that determine how ‘premium’ a bird’s nest is.
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Size, shape, and texture
The first and most straightforward factor to look for is size. The bigger, the better. You should also look out for bowl or cup-shaped bird’s nests with fine and firm texture. When it is bowl-shaped, it means that the bird’s nest has been intact from harvest to sale, and every strand has been preserved properly. However if you’re on a budget, you can also opt for triangle shaped ones or mesh cakes that are made of broken pieces of bird’s nest.
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Cleanliness
When it comes to how to cook bird’s nests, many people think that the process is tedious because you have to clean it thoroughly and pick feathers out with tweezers. But it doesn’t have to be. Premium quality nests don’t require that much cleaning, and are usually at least 95% made of edible saliva.
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Colour
Another key differentiator for dry bird’s nests is its colour. For the best bird’s nest, look out for one that is ivory white, which is pure and does not come with minerals absorbed from caves. White bird’s nests are suitable for everyone. There’s also red and golden bird’s nests that are more rare and hence command a higher price. The colour comes from mineral absorption from caves. With rich mineral content, red and golden bird’s nests are good for elderly, pregnant ladies, and recovering patients.
How to cook bird’s nest?
With dry bird’s nests easily over $100, you probably won’t want to screw up the preparation and risk losing its nutrients. But fret not, the steps on how to cook bird’s nests are relatively simple. The most important part is to double boil it, which you can do easily with a double boiler or a slow cooker!
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes – 2 hours for double boiler, 6 – 8 hours for slow cooker
Servings: 4
Recipe ingredients:
- 1 pc dry bird’s nest
- 1 bowl water
- 3 pcs rock sugar (can be adjusted)
- 4 tbsp wolfberry (optional)
- 5 pcs red dates (optional)
Recipe instructions:
- Soak bird’s nest pieces in cold water for at least 6 hours or overnight until it has expanded. For better absorption, you can cut the thicker ends of the bird’s nest.
- Drain the bird’s nest and pour away the water
- Add bird’s nest and ingredients of choice such as wolfberries or red dates (available on Shopee Supermarket) with 1 rice bowl of water into the double boiler or slow cooker. To cook it without a double boiler, add the ingredients into a bowl and place the bowl into a large pot filled with enough water to submerge half the bowl.
- Double boil for half to one hour or slow cook for six hours. Do note that this timing may differ according to the quality of your bird’s nest.
- Stir to ensure that it is cooked to desired texture, and add in rock sugar while it is still hot.
- Serve or refrigerate to enjoy it chilled – and that’s how to cook bird’s nests!
Boost your health with the best bird nests in Singapore
From the best bottled bird’s nests to the best dry bird’s nests in Singapore, nourish your bodies to the pink of health with this traditional tonic! Bird’s nests make for delicious desserts, presentable gifts, and healthy snacks for you and your family. For more recommendations on health supplements, check out our list of the best manuka honey in Singapore and don’t forget to stay hydrated with the best water bottles in Singapore!
This article was updated on 23 July 2024. Additional research done by Janica Ng.
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