April 1st is here again, reminding us to be cautious about what we see and hear, as it may just be fake news.

This year, several brands have come up with clever and entertaining April Fool's jokes that nearly tricked us. Here’s a roundup of some noteworthy pranks.

Allen Key Bling

If you’ve ever assembled Ikea furniture, you’re familiar with the Allen key. This year, the Swedish furniture giant introduced a jewelry line inspired by the tool, called the Allenki. Described as "hardware meets heirloom," it unfortunately isn’t real. "You'd be a fool to throw this away," Ikea quipped.

Cucumber Americano

In Singapore’s heat, a refreshing drink is essential. Luckin Coffee teased a Cucumber Americano as a solution but revealed it was an April Fool's prank. They even added a disclaimer on social media: "do not order via Luckin Coffee app" to prevent any confusion.

Durian Mala

Nanyang Polytechnic students were excited about a new limited-time menu item featuring Mala with a durian twist. However, the dish was set to be sold on a date that doesn’t exist: April 31.

Floating Stage

Punggol residents shouldn’t get too excited about a "new floating stage" at Waterway Point, as it was revealed to be a prank. The mall claimed it would host a floating stage birthday festival complete with fireworks and performances on April 1.

Grimace Protein Shakes

McDonald's caught the attention of gym enthusiasts with a post about a new protein shake inspired by their mascot Grimace. "Guess we're shaking things up, the Grimace way. Tag your gym buddy," they wrote. For those disappointed, the viral Grimace Shake is still available.

Indoor Cable Cars

Getting around VivoCity can be a challenge, so the mall announced "one-day-only" indoor cable cars to help shoppers. However, this was just another April Fool's joke.

Kaya Fondue

Fans of kaya will be let down to learn that the kaya fondue from Ya Kun Kaya Toast is not real. The local cafe advertised it as a fun option for weddings and parties, but it was all in good humor.

Limo Shuttle Services

Marina Square teased an upgrade to its shuttle buses, turning them into limousines for a day. But of course, it was just a classic April Fool's gag.

Mala Powder Milkshake

Shilin Taiwan Street Food Singapore announced a "new menu item" of a Mala Powder Milkshake, which combines creaminess with spice. Thankfully, this drink isn’t real, as it sounds like a risky combination.

Micro Popcorn Bags

Garrett Popcorn introduced "micro popcorn bags" containing just one kernel, marketed as diet-friendly and budget-friendly. Priced at $1 each, this snack option was just another playful prank.

Nasi Lemak Egg Tarts

Egg tarts topped with coconut rice and sambal sounded delicious, but the Nasi Lemak Egg Tarts from Oriental Kopi Asia were an April Fool's joke.

Pepperoni Pizza Max Pro

Dominos Singapore teased a Pepperoni Pizza Max Pro with a single massive slice of pepperoni. "Why have many when you can have the one," they cheekily stated, but this pizza is not real.

Space-Friendly Moonlight Hor Fun

Curious about the name "moonlight hor fun"? Keng Eng Kee introduced the Kek Moonlight Hor Fun (Space Edition), claiming it’s astronaut-approved and vacuum sealed. "Launching on April 1... or is it?" they teased.

For more hilarious pranks, keep an eye out for brands on April Fool's Day!

melissateo@asiaone.com