Singaporean actor Ayden Sng is making waves in China's entertainment scene while proudly promoting his homeland's culture through an unexpected medium - a cozy cafe in Harbin.
The 31-year-old multi-talented performer, who co-owns uSweet cafe with four partners, has added Singapore's beloved kopitiam staple - the Milo Dinosaur - to their menu, creating buzz among Chinese consumers. The rich chocolate malt beverage topped with undissolved Milo powder has become an instant hit at the establishment.
The cafe recently showcased the drink on Xiaohongshu with an enticing post: "Milo Dinosaur - Singapore's signature beverage that conquered Southeast Asia! Did you know this was Olympic champion Joseph Schooling's favorite drink? It's also our Singaporean actor and uSweet manager Ayden Sng's personal recommendation."
Cafe visitors have flooded social media with positive reviews about the unique drink experience. "The texture of the undissolved powder makes it special," commented one patron, while another wrote, "It's like tasting Singapore in every sip!"
Reality Show Spotlight
Ayden currently appears on iQiyi's reality program Smile at You, where he joins 34 other young men learning business management and hospitality skills through operating pop-up cafes across China. The show features industry heavyweights like ex-EXO member Huang Zitao and veteran actor Tang Guoqiang as mentors.
A standout moment came when Ayden assisted Russian-Korean twins Denis and Kirill overcome language barriers during roommate selection. Later episodes showed him patiently helping Denis master Mandarin phrases for customer service scenarios.
Culinary Adventures Beyond Acting
The program revealed Ayden's passion for baking as he spent evenings perfecting recipes with fellow contestant Chen Mucheng (Chinese swimming champion). Though some attempts resulted in charred pastries ("learning experiences," as he called them), his persistence impressed both castmates and viewers.
"I've always wanted to bake professionally but filming schedules never allowed it," shared Ayden during one heartfelt kitchen session. "Being mentored by these chefs fulfills a long-held dream."
For his major baking challenge, the Singaporean star ambitiously created an original eight-layer cake combining all techniques learned from instructors rather than following established recipes. While judges praised his creativity ("truly inventive flavor combinations"), food safety concerns about oven-safe materials unfortunately cost him advancement points.
Coffee Culture Ambassador
Through both his cafe business and television appearances, Ayden continues bridging cultures between Singapore and China - whether introducing nostalgic drinks or demonstrating Southeast Asian warmth through patient mentorship of international participants.
