What Durian Types Can You Serve at a Durian Party in Singapore?
So, you’ve told everyone that you’re planning a durian party.
Naturally, the questions start coming in.
Will there be Mao Shan Wang? Can we have Black Thorn too? How many types are we getting? I want bitter durian ah!
And before you know it, the office has split into different durian gangs, each convinced their favourite deserves a spot on the table 🫣
The truth is, there isn’t a fixed list of varieties served at every Ms Durian party.
Durians are seasonal, so your party may feature Mao Shan Wang, Black Thorn, Golden Phoenix, Red Prawn, D24, XO or a combination of a few varieties, depending on what is available during your event period.
You can let your guests taste and compare several types, or keep things simple with one variety if you’re working with a tighter budget.
Simply share your event date and budget with us, and our team will recommend a suitable durian selection 😉
In this article, we’ll introduce the popular durian varieties that may be served at a Ms Durian party and explain how they differ in taste and texture!
1. Mao Shan Wang (D197)
Mao Shan Wang, or MSW, hardly needs an introduction.
It’s usually the first variety guests ask about and the one everyone looks for when the durians arrive!
Its rich, creamy, bright yellow flesh has a distinctive bittersweet flavour. Some pieces lean sweeter, while others bring a stronger bitter note, sometimes even within the same durian.
With its bold flavour and premium reputation, Mao Shan Wang naturally takes centre stage at a durian party.
2. Black Thorn (D200)
Black Thorn is another premium durian variety that has become increasingly popular among serious durian lovers.
Its thick, deep-orange flesh has a smooth, custard-like texture and usually comes with large, round seeds.
Compared with Mao Shan Wang, Black Thorn generally leans sweeter, although it can still have a slight bitter finish.
It’s a good addition when you want to give your guests another premium variety to enjoy or compare with Mao Shan Wang!
3. Golden Phoenix (D198)
Also known as Jin Feng, Golden Phoenix is a favourite among durian connoisseurs who enjoy a creamy durian with a delicate balance of sweetness and bitterness.
Its distinctive milky aftertaste also helps it stand out from the other varieties on the table.
Golden Phoenix usually has pale yellow flesh with a soft, slightly fibrous texture and small seeds.
Its colour may not be as striking as Mao Shan Wang or Black Thorn, but don’t underestimate it. When Golden Phoenix is in season, it definitely deserves a spot at the durian party!
Its season is usually short, lasting around 2 to 3 weeks based on the harvests we receive.
Fun fact: Golden Phoenix and Red Prawn also tend to arrive at different stages of the durian season. Once Red Prawn starts appearing, it usually means the Golden Phoenix season is coming to an end, so there may be only a small window to enjoy it.
4. Red Prawn Durian (D175)
Red Prawn, also known as Ang Hay, gets its name from the reddish-orange colour of its flesh.
This variety is known for being sweet, creamy and slightly sticky. Its sweeter flavour makes it an approachable choice for first-time durian eaters and guests who aren’t fans of intensely bitter durians.
So, when someone at the party asks, “Got something sweeter?”, Red Prawn may be the answer 😉
Red Prawn is seasonal and may not always be available, so its inclusion will depend on the harvest during your event period!
5. D24 Durian
Before Mao Shan Wang came along and stole the spotlight, D24 was one of the most popular durian varieties in Singapore.
Also known as Sultan durian, D24 has creamy flesh with a balanced combination of sweetness and bitterness. Its flavour is generally less intense than Mao Shan Wang, making it an approachable option for a mixed group of guests.
It can also be a more budget-friendly choice for larger durian parties without losing that rich and creamy durian experience.
6. XO Durian
Despite its name, XO durian does not contain alcohol!
Its name comes from its slightly fermented, alcohol-like flavour, so don’t expect anyone to start feeling tipsy after a few pieces 😂
XO durian typically has very soft flesh with a strong bitter taste. It may be more intense than the sweeter varieties, making it better suited to seasoned durian lovers who enjoy bold flavours.
Durian Types at a Glance
Confused by all the different durian varieties? Here’s a simple table you can refer to.
| Durian Variety | General Flavour | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Mao Shan Wang | Rich and bittersweet | Creamy and smooth |
| Black Thorn | Sweet with slight bitterness | Smooth and custard-like |
| Golden Phoenix | Sweet and slightly bitter with a milky finish | Soft and slightly fibrous |
| Red Prawn | Sweet | Creamy and slightly sticky |
| D24 | Balanced sweetness and bitterness | Creamy |
| XO | Bitter with fermented notes | Very soft |
Note: These flavour profiles are a general guide. As durians are natural fruits, their sweetness, bitterness and texture may vary between harvests and even between individual fruits.
So… Can You Choose the Durian Varieties for Your Durian Party?
Yes, you can let us know which varieties you prefer. However, the final selection will depend on your event date, budget and what is available during the season.
You can serve several varieties for your guests to compare, or keep things simple with one variety if you’re working with a tighter budget.
Share your event details with us, and our team will recommend suitable options 😉
What If Your Party Falls Outside the Durian Season?
You can still organise a durian party even if your preferred event date falls outside the fresh durian season!
Read our article on organising an off-season durian party in Singapore to learn how it works and decide whether it suits your event.
Enough Durian Talk. Let’s Plan Your Event with Ms Durian!
By now, your colleagues may already have their favourites and some very strong opinions about what you should order.
Luckily, you don’t have to manage the durian committee alone 😉
Simply share your preferred event date, estimated number of guests and budget with us.
Our events team will recommend a suitable durian selection based on what is in season and put together an arrangement that works for your event!
We’ll also handle the setup, durian serving and clearing afterwards.
Your only job? Make sure everyone comes hungry 😏
