Banana pie showdown: Dona Manis Cake Shop vs Auntie Peng Banana Pie
I’m sure by now, you would have read a lot of articles from other publications regarding the drama between Dona Manis Cake Shop and its competitor, Auntie Peng Banana Pie. I’ll not bore you with the tea between the 2 stalls, and have decided to do a showdown between them instead.
Together with my colleague, Rachel, I headed over to Katong Shopping Centre to try out what both stalls specialise in… banana pie, of course! Now, to be very honest, neither of us have ever tasted banana pie before.
Before the comment section goes bananas on us for being banana pie newbies, this article is purely based on our first impressions of each stall’s specialty. Remember, taste buds are subjective, so feel free to chime in with your own two cents!
Cost
Banana Pies at Dona Manis Cake Shop go for S$3.50 per slice, but Auntie Peng sells them for S$3.30 each. However, the total comes to S$33 for the entire 10-piece deal, making it a better bargain than just grabbing a slice or two at Dona Manis.
Size
If we take a peek from the side, Auntie Peng’s rendition (pictured on the left) flaunts a chunkier crust, especially on the top half. As for the filling, the pieces of banana from Dona Manis seems to be larger in size as compared to that of Auntie Peng’s, which are slightly finer.
When I tried stacking Auntie Peng’s pie above Dona Manis’s version, the contrast in size became crystal clear; the former triumphs!
Taste
Looking down from the top, Auntie Peng’s Banana Pie (pictured on the left) flaunted a significantly larger heap of grounded almonds compared to the version from Dona Manis. It amped up the nutty flavour and added a delightful crunch.
If you look at the wax paper attached below, you can clearly see that on the right, it has practically become almost transparent and soaked through for Dona Manis, while it’s still dry on the left for Auntie Peng.
My gut feeling was right. The crust of Auntie Peng’s pie, while decently soft, leaned a bit towards the dry side, with hints of shredded coconut. The banana filling was luscious, fragrant and melted in my mouth, reminding me of what an inside of a goreng pisang tastes like.
On the flip side, while Dona Manis’s Banana Pie sported a noticeably thinner crust, it made up for it with a more buttery and moist texture. We also found the amount of shredded coconut to be more generous, which really made every bite more shiok.
As for the banana filling, it was sweeter than Auntie Peng’s. The only downside? The pastry’s bottom half was a tad too gooey, likely due to the moist fruit filling.
Verdict
In a nutshell, Dona Manis Cake Shop wins!
Although the Banana Pies at Auntie Peng are cheaper and larger in size, I am more inclined to go for the ones sold at Dona Manis. Why? Well, it’s all about that crust! Dona Manis’s version won me over with its aromatic, buttery flavour and its irresistibly moist texture.
Dessert usually comes with calories, doesn’t it? So, I’m all in for Dona Manis’s sweeter deal. If it’s going to be unhealthy, might as well go all the way, am I right?
Don’t get me wrong, Auntie Peng’s Banana Pie is nice too. It’s just that when it comes down to it, the crust is the game-changer for me; I didn’t even mind that the bottom half was a little soggy.
If any of you have tried the Banana Pies from both establishments, do leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments!
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