Before modern cake shops and bakery franchises, Singaporeans had neighbourhood bakeries that they grew up with. While some have shut down over the years, here are 10 traditional bakeries that do it best, selling their legendary bakes for decades. All handmade, with the same recipe, same taste, and a hint of nostalgia.
Source: GIPHY
1. Sing Hon Loong Bakery
Source: SethLui.com
Open 24/7, not many make white bread as good as Sing Hon Loong. Handmade and hand-sliced right in front of you, their loaves of bread are pillowy-soft and were even supplied to Ya Kun Kaya Toast! Starting from $1.60, it’s no wonder that this bakery is a crowd favourite in the neighbourhood.
Location: 4 Whampoa Dr, Singapore 327715
2. Jie Bakery
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If you love the ice cream sandwich from the ice cream uncles in Singapore, you’ll be happy to know that this bakery sells the iconic rainbow swirl bread! Traditionally baked, the colourful loaves of bread are soft and best paired with ice cream at home for some nostalgic feels.
Location: 123 Upper Paya Lebar Rd, Singapore 534837
3. Balmoral Bakery
Source: Balmoral Bakery
Founded in 1965, Balmoral Bakery serves a variety of classic English treats. Sponge cake with hand-piped buttercream, traditional chicken and beef pies, custard puffs, cream horns, pandan cakes, coconut tarts and rum balls. How much more old-school can you get?
Location: 105 Clementi St 12, #01-06, Singapore 120105
4. Ng Kim Lee Confectionery
Source: Yu Khing Poh / Facebook
Behind the olden sliding metal shutters of the storefront, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery sells traditional Chinese biscuits, candies and egg tarts. Their signature are these mini muffins that come in different flavours of orange, banana, lemon and many more, sold at only $0.60 per piece!
Location: 4 Chun Tin Rd, Singapore 599591
5. Dona Manis Cake Shop
Source: eatbook.sg
A gem of the East, this place sells one of the best banana-flavoured bakes in Singapore. Their banana pie has a buttery crust filled with chunks of banana and coconut shreds, baked fresh every day.
If you’re heading down to Dona Manis Cake Shop, check out what to eat, drink and do in Katong as well!
Location: Katong Shopping Centre, #B1-93, Singapore 437844
6. Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah
Source: Loong Fatt
Look for the longest queue along Balestier Road and you will find Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah, the bakery that has been serving buttery tau sar piah since 1948. For those unfamiliar, tau sar piah is a flaky, Chinese mung bean pastry that comes in two flavours: salty and sweet. Their Teochew-style tau sar piah is baked fresh daily and definitely unlike others in the market.
Location: 639 Balestier Rd, Singapore 329922
7. Tong Heng 東興
Source: Tong Heng
Serving handmade traditional Cantonese pastries since 1935, this pastry shop in Chinatown is famous for their diamond-shaped Egg Tarts. Each tart comes with a flaky, buttery crust and smooth egg filling, still made by hand daily.
Location: 285 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058833
8. Sze Thye Cake Shop
Source: slowfood.sg
For more than 57 years, owner Koh Sun Liang has been making traditional Chinese pastries and snacks from scratch. The shop was founded in the 1950s and was taken over by Mr Koh’s father in 1960. It’s worthy of note that Mr Koh makes the store’s peanut candy by hand, using traditional tools only.
Location: 2 Beach Rd, #01-4795, Singapore 190002
9. Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry
Source: Miss Ha ~ / Burpple
Amidst the numerous cafes in Tiong Bahru is a traditional bakery that has been selling Nyonya kuehs since the 70s. Its signatures include the kueh dar dar and ondeh ondeh, both must-trys when you visit!
Location: Blk 55 Tiong Bahru Rd, #01-39, Singapore 160055
10. Lana Cakes
Source: straitstimes.com
Since 1964, Mrs Violet Kwan has been selling her signature chocolate fudge chiffon cake — the chocolate cake almost of cult status among Singaporeans. From a home bakery that started with only three flavours, orange, blueberry and chocolate fudge, Lana Cakes has since expanded its range to some 12 flavours including mocha and coconut with gula melaka. Baked in small batches and hand-frosted, it’s best to order in advance!
Location: 36 Greenwood Avenue, Singapore 289239
*Hero image from Tong Heng.
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For some old-school vibes, #SupportLocal at Culturally’s popiah wrapping workshop with Kway Guan Huat, a decades-old popiah skin-maker! At Culturally, we offer customised hands-on cultural experiences for you to have fun whilst learning about other cultures.