10 best old-school bakeries in Singapore

Think about an old-school treat that you used to enjoy as a child, a stubborn favourite not easily replicated in modern bakeries. These ‘old-school bakes and pastries’ include no-frills bread, tau sar piah and ang ku kuehs. I initially wanted pastries only but realised that some of these mainstays do sell tasty bakes as well.

For the best of both worlds, here are the 10 best stalls for old-school bakes & pastries to tell your children. Don’t feel old (I already do). 

1. Ng Kim Lee Confectionery 

My childhood favourite, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery at Beauty World does not need an introduction. Renowned for its colourful array of S$0.70 Muffins in 12 different flavours including Oreo, Pandan and Cheese, the 70-year-old spot also offers shelves upon shelves of traditional Teochew and Peranakan pastries. 

Along with the savoury Honey Chicken Siew Bao (S$1.60), do not leave this confectionery without a Tau Sar Piah (S$1.60) that boasts nutty mung bean paste within crumbly layers.

4 Chun Tin Road, Singapore 599591
+65 6466 3515
Mon to Sat: 11am – 9pm
Closed on Sun

2. Love Confectionery 

Okay, there are two childhood favourites on this list. The second goes to Love Confectionery at Bukit Merah. As a sweet tooth, I still buckle upon the sight of their buttery yet light Buttercream Cakes (S$1.50 each). Specifically, the Rainbow Sprinkles one. Churning out bakes since 1979, the old-school mainstay also produces the best buns. 

This includes the beautiful 3-petalled Custard Bun (S$0.60) and the Butter Bun (S$0.60) which features sugar crystals sprinkled on a creamy butter spread.

122 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-60, Singapore 150122
Mon to Sat: 10am – 5pm
Closed on Sun
Facebook

3. Big Bakery

Already opened at the crack of dawn, Big Bakery at Tai Seng caters to blue-collared customers who helm the morning shifts. From cookies to cakes, the beloved bakery has a sheer variety of bakes that are generously priced under S$2. The couple behind Big Bakery actually have formal culinary training and experience. 

Therefore, their signature Crumble Pies (S$2.80 each) in Apple, Banana, Blueberry and Pineapple, do not disappoint. Loaded with smooth puree and chunks of fruit, the golden-brown crumbles are dusted with powdered sugar. 

99 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 534825
+65 6383 2510
Mon to Fri: 5.30am – 6pm
Sat: 10am – 3pm
Closed on Sun

4. Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery

Having been around since the 1970s, Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery at Serangoon is familiar to many residents. As it commonly sells out after noon, regulars come as early as 6am. Aside from their fan-favourite Hamburger (S$1.20), the Cream Puff (S$1.20) and Curry Bun (S$1.20) have aromatic notes of vanilla and spice respectively. 

Although it is described to be denser than other cakes, the Banana Cake (S$1.10) has pieces of banana flesh embedded into its spongy goodness.

49A Serangoon Garden Way, Serangoon Garden Market, #01-45/46, Singapore 555945
Tue to Sun: 6am – 2pm
Closed on Mon

5. Hung Huat Cakes & Pastries

Situated at Aljunied, Hung Huat Cakes & Pastries first started as a min jiang kueh stall in 1978. Now, they specialise in handmade pastries that are perfect for the Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival. Be sure to try their Teochew Crispy Yam Mooncake (from S$12) which is recognisable by a thick orh nee filling encased in lavender swirls.

We cannot define a traditional pastry joint without its Tau Sar Piah (S$4.50 for 5) in sweet or salty mung bean paste. Look out for the mochi-esque Teochew La Gor (S$8/ S$20) too!

49 Sims Place, Sims Vista Market & Food Centre, #01-48, Singapore 380049
+65 9651 4902
Tue to Sun: 7.30am – 2.30pm
Closed on Mon
Website

6. Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah

A titan in the realm of Teochew pastries, Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah at Balestier is touted as “second to none.” Perhaps the oldest stall on our list, the pioneer has been around since 1948. It is no surprise that the family business solely focuses on their proprietary Tau Sar Piah, available in Sweet and Salty (S$1.30 each). 

Freshly baked daily, their variation has a buttery crust and a “wet” green bean paste. If you are lucky, catch bakes such as Chocolate Swiss Roll (S$1.30) and Coffee Walnut Cake (S$1.50) that are available on selected days.

639 Balestier Road, Singapore 329922
Mon to Sat: 7.30am – 4.30pm
Closed on Sun
Facebook | Website

7. 603 Tau Sar Piah

I guess Balestier is the default area for solid tau sar piah. While 603 Tau Sar Piah is another family business, they do have a modern edge to them. They have more than 10 different types of Tau Sar Piah. From the classic Sweet (S$1.20) and Salty (S$1.20) to the innovative Black Sesame (S$1.50), there is bound to be something for every generation. 

For the hearty eaters, other Signature Classics include the “Volcano” Chicken Char Siew Bao (S$2) and Chicken Pie (S$2.80) which are chock-full of flavourful ingredients. 

603 Balestier Road, Singapore 329904
+65 6250 0692
Daily: 8am – 6.30pm
Instagram | Website

8. Sze Thye Cake Shop

If you want to talk about legit old-school, here we are. Said to be one of the few in Singapore to produce sugar sculptures used for prayers, Sze Thye Cake Shop at Beach Road is the real deal. With over 60 years of experience under his belt, the second-generation owner of this fabled spot makes most of the items from scratch. 

Satisfyingly crunchy with a tinge of sweetness, word on the street is that the Peanut Candy (S$1.50) is a must-try. 

2 Beach Road, #01-4795, Singapore 190002
+65 9658 1286
Daily: 9am – 7pm

9. Ji Xiang Everton Park

Arguably one of the most revered

ang ku kueh stalls on the island, Ji Xiang Everton Park at Outram Park first started as a home-based business before settling at its brick-and-mortar location in 1988.

With 9 flavours, including Peanut (S$1.20), Cempedak (S$2) and Durian (S$2.50), their vibrant kueh has a chewy skin that holds its filling together. 

They also have unique variations like Tiong Ku (S$3.50) and Ka Ta Ku (S$8.50) which closely resemble a normal ang ku kueh but are significantly larger. 

1 Everton Park, #01-33, Singapore 081001
+65 6223 1631
Mon to Sat: 8am – 5pm
Closed on Sun
Facebook | Website

10. Poh Cheu Soon Kueh & Ang Ku Kueh

Believe it or not, Poh Cheu Soon Kueh & Ang Ku Kueh at Bukit Merah used to be operated illegally out of a pushcart. Fret not, its current (legal) home offers 13 flavours of handmade ang ku kueh with the likes of Salted Bean, Green Tea and Mango, all priced at S$1.50 each.

Interestingly, their rendition is much rounder and thicker as compared to the familiar oval-shaped kueh. 

In addition, the consistency of fillings may vary according to your chosen flavour. For example, Yam has a gooey paste while Peanut has a firm texture. 

127 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-230, Singapore 150127
+65 6276 2287
Tue to Sat: 8am – 6pm
Closed on Mon & Sun
Facebook | Instagram | Website

So that’s my list of 10 best old-school bakeries to tell your children about.

The post 10 best old-school bakeries in Singapore appeared first on SETHLUI.com.