Singapore’s bustling culinary scene is often celebrated for its vibrant hawker centers and the best fine dining establishments, but tucked away in its charming neighborhoods are traditional old-school bakeries that offer a delightful glimpse into the city’s rich heritage.

These surviving old-school bakeries, some of which have been around for decades, continue to serve up time-honored treats such as buttercream cakes, pandan chiffon cakes, kuehs and egg tarts.

Here are 12 traditional bakeries in Singapore you must visit for old-school bakes.

BALMORAL BAKERY

For those who live in Clementi, Balmoral Bakery is an old-school bakery that would be no stranger to you. With roots dating back to the mid-1960s, Balmoral Bakery is well-loved for their baked pastries and fluffy cakes.

Balmoral Bakery is located at the edge of the rows of shops at Sunset Way Residence. However, what makes this humble bakery stand out is its brick walls and tiled flooring. The pastries at Balmoral Bakery are priced affordably and most are below S$2 each. Our picks were the Chicken Pie (S$1.80), Char Siew Soh (S$1.60) and the Beef Pie (S$2.50).

105 Clementi Street 12,
#01-06, Singapore 120105
Tel: 6779 2064

DONA MANIS CAKE SHOP

Dona Manis Cake Shop is a small and humble 28-year-old bakery nestled within the basement of Katong Shopping Centre. Co-founded by friends back in 1992, Dona Manis Cake Shop has received much love for their banana pie over the years and there is no indication that this is going to change any time soon.

Dona Manis Cake Shop’s Banana Pie will only set you back S$3.30 per slice and S$33 for a whole pie (10 slices). So are we fans of the Banana Pie? You bet we are. Their Banana Pie was filled with a generous helping of bananas, and the filling was moist even after the Banana Pie spent a day in the fridge. The moist filling was complemented by the crunch of the toasted almonds atop the pie. Whilst you can pick up the Banana Pie in stores, do consider ordering the Banana Pie in advance to avoid disappointment.

865 Mountbatten Road,
Katong Shopping Centre, #B1-93,
Singapore, 437844
Tel: 6440 7688

JI XIANG CONFECTIONERY

Ji Xiang Confectionery has been handcrafting traditional Ang Ku Kueh since 1988 and the family-run business is fortunately unthreatened by the rising number of cafes in its vicinity. These handmade Chinese pastries are usually filled with sweet mung bean or peanut but you can also find other flavours such as Coconut, Corn, Salted Bean and Yam over at Ji Xiang.

1 Everton Park
Singapore 081001
Tel: +65 6223 1631

JIE BAKERY

Feeling nostalgic for old-school roti loaves that are freshly sliced right in front of your eyes? Then head down to Jie Traditional Bread Bakery, one of the older bakeries in Singapore that remains unfazed by Singapore’s rapid development.

The rustic bakery still exudes quaint old-world charm and is a must-visit for those who wish to teleport back to the old days. If you’ve ever wondered where those rainbow-coloured bread—the ones commonly found at push kart ice cream stands—come from, here’s your answer.

123 Upper Paya Lebar Road
Singapore 534837
Tel: +65 6289 7461

LEK LIM NONYA CAKE CONFECTIONERY

Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery is a Halal-certified bakery that takes pride in serving a plethora of traditional Peranakan delights. It started in 1968 when they first started selling tasty homemade kuehs and the rest is history.

Savour their signature Ang Ku Kueh (S$0.55 per piece), Kueh Lapis Nonya (S$0.65 per piece) and Kueh Kao Swee (S$0.65).

#01-21, Block 84
Bedok North Street 4
Singapore 460084
Tel: +65 6449 0815

LOVE CONFECTIONERY

Love Confectionery is located beside Alexander Village Food Centre and has been a perennial favourite amongst residents since their childhood days for its buttercream cakes and homemade spreads. Their pandan cake remains a hot seller and is one that definitely warrants a try.

Block 122 #01-60
Bukit Merah Lane 1
Singapore 150122
Tel: +65 6278 2385

LEUNG SANG HONG KONG PASTRIES

Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries is Heaven on Earth. Upon stepping in, you would be greeted by the aroma of fresh bakes and everything wonderful. This old-school looking confectionery may look next to nothing, but they have one of the best egg tarts in Singapore.

We first had the egg tarts from Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries back in 2007, and we have been fans of it ever since. The confectionery used to be on Sago Street – inconspicuous and hard to locate. But the ones in the know make it there anyway. Today, they sit on Jalan Membina, opposite Tiong Bahru Bakery.

18 Jln Membina, #01-06
Singapore 164018
Tel: +65 6271 6056

NG KIM LEE CONFECTIONERY

For those who grew up in the West side of Singapore, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery would be a name familiar to you. A family-run bakery situated along Chun Tin Road, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery is known for selling Teochew-style pastries and traditional Western cakes at affordable prices.

Pastries always taste best freshly baked, and this is exactly what you’d get at Ng Kim Lee Confectionery. One of their top-selling bakes is the mini butter muffins.

At just S$0.70 per piece, you’d be able to sample many of their flavours without feeling the pinch. As we arrived rather late in the day, we only managed to pick up a couple of their Strawberry Muffins and Jam Muffins. These mini butter muffins had a balanced taste and was not overly buttery.

4 Chun Tin Road
Singapore 599591

SERANGOON GARDEN BAKERY & CONFECTIONERY

Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery is an institution which has been dishing out Singapore-style old-school breads—or better recognised as buns—for decades.

The Butter Bun is probably the most famous one, while the Cheese Bun comes close in terms of popularity. The Hamburger is essentially chicken luncheon meat enveloped in soft bun, and the Kaya Peanut is our all-time favourite.

While everyone has their favourites (and there are only a handful of surviving traditional bakeries in Singapore), we grew up with Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery at Serangoon Garden Market and it is our go-to place whenever we want to satisfy our craving for old-school buns.

49A Serangoon Garden Way
#01-45 Garden Market
Singapore 555945

SEMBAWANG CONFECTIONERY

Sembawang Confectionery is a humble old-school bakery tucked away at the ground floor of a HDB estate at Beach Road, not Sembawang. This bakery has been rolling out freshly baked bread and cakes since the 1960s. Best of all, their goods are free from preservatives.

Sembawang Confectionery carries a wide array of baked goods for your picking. From individually wrapped buns, loaves of bread, kueh, pastries and nostalgic Western cakes, there is something for everyone here.

6 Beach Rd, #01-4869,
Singapore 190006
Tel: +65 6295 3965

SING HON LOONG BAKERY

In this day and age, you don’t often come across bakeries that are open 24 hours every day. Sing Hon Loong Bakery is a traditional bakery at Whampoa which sells old-school buns throughout the day. Yes, that’s right; all day, every day.

When you drop by, you need to pick up a few of Sing Hon Loong Bakery’s traditional loaves which would pair perfectly with a cup of Kopi or Teh.

With more than 50 years of history, this is one of the best bakeries to visit for a trip down memory lane or if you’re looking for a quick yet reliable fix for that random carb craving.

4 Whampoa Drive
Singapore 327715
Tel: 6256 0878

THIAM YIAN CONFECTIONERY

Located in the Kovan heartlands, Thiam Yian Confectionery is a humble old-school bakery that serves cream cakes, Chinese pastries, and handmade kuehs since the 1980s.

It is located along the same stretch as Heng Long Teochew Porridge and Selegie Soyabean. You can head over to Heng Long for a simple and hearty Teochew porridge meal before grabbing some desserts from Selegie Soyabean and pastries from Tjiam Yian Confectionery.

1004 Upper Serangoon Rd, Singapore 534742
Tel: +65 6458 1478

For those who live in Clementi, Balmoral Bakery is an old-school bakery that would be no stranger to you. With roots dating back to the mid-1960s, Balmoral Bakery is well-loved for their baked pastries and fluffy cakes.

If you’re not sure where Balmoral Bakery is, all you’ll need to do is use your sense of smell to guide you. We kid you not — that’s how amazing their bakes smell even from a distance away. Here’s what you can expect at this traditional bakery.

Balmoral Bakery is located at the edge of the rows of shops at Sunset Way Residence. However, what makes this humble bakery stand out is its brick walls and tiled flooring. Given that the logo of Balmoral Bakery bears resemblance to the Balmoral Castle in Scotland, the choice of red brick walls for the bakery’s was definitely an appropriate choice.

Although Balmoral Bakery doesn’t occupy a very large store space, customers would be impressed by the range of baked goods that they carry within the store. We were drawn in by the rows of freshly baked pastries which made a feast for the eyes.

The pastries at Balmoral Bakery are priced affordably and most are below S$2 each. Our picks were the Chicken Pie (S$1.80), Char Siew Soh (S$1.60) and the Beef Pie (S$2.50). Other options that you can choose include the Chicken Curry Puff (S$1.60), Beef Curry Puff (S$1.60) and Sausage Roll (S$1.60).

Our thoughts? We were big fans of the Chicken Pie and Beef Pie. Each pastry was filled with large chunks of meat, and the flavours were rich and slightly peppery. Best of all? The pastry crust was crispy and flaky even after keeping the pies in the fridge and reheating them the next day. That means you can order more pies and freeze them for future consumption.

As for the Char Siew Soh, whilst the pastry had a pleasing appearance, we weren’t impressed by its flavour. So if you’re visiting Balmoral Bakery for the first time, we’d recommend giving this a miss.

The Bacon & Onion Quiche (S$2.50) was a pretty decent option. The quiche was filled with a generous portion of bacon and white onions, and the saltiness of the bacon was a beautiful contrast to the sweetness of the white onions. The egg custard of the Bacon & Onion Quiche was also pretty tasty and the layer of melted cheese atop the pastry brought all the flavours together.

It would be a crime to leave a traditional bakery without ordering some of their traditional western cakes. We selected Coconut, Vanilla, Kaya Pandan, Chocolate and Coffee Chocolate, all of which were priced at S$1.80 per slice. The buttercream of each slice of cake was light and not overly sweet, and the texture of the cakes was soft and sufficiently fluffy.

Balmoral Bakery
105 Clementi Street 12,
#01-06, Singapore 120105
Tel: 6779 2064

In this day and age, you don’t often come across bakeries that are open 24 hours every day. Sing Hon Loong Bakery is a traditional bakery at Whampoa which sells old-school buns throughout the day. Yes, that’s right; all day, every day. 

With more than 50 years of history, this is one of the best bakeries to visit for a trip down memory lane or if you’re looking for a quick yet reliable fix for that random carb craving. Here’s what you can expect at Sing Hon Loong Bakery. 

For those who intend to pay Sing Hon Loong Bakery a visit, do keep in mind that this is a humble and unpretentious family business who is just focused on selling straightforward, simple bakes. Don’t expect a wide selection of different or fancy-flavoured breads here. This is where simplicity is at its best.

When you drop by, you need to pick up a few of Sing Hon Loong Bakery’s traditional loaves which would pair perfectly with a cup of Kopi or Teh. Out of the few that we picked, we would recommend the Red Bean Buns (a set for S$2.50) which were fragrant, soft, and contained a satisfying portion of red bean filling. 

But if you’re looking for a quick snack, Sing Hon Loong carries a decent spread of classic buns for your picking. Popular classic bun flavours include Coconut (S$2), Red Bean (S$1.20) and Curry (S$1.50). Although these classic buns were priced more affordably than buns you’d find in commercial bakeries, we were pleasantly surprised with the soft and fluffy texture of the bread, and the generous portion of filling within each classic bun. 

Sing Hon Loong Bakery
4 Whampoa Drive
Singapore 327715
Tel: 6256 0878

For those who grew up in the West side of Singapore, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery would be a name familiar to you. A family-run bakery situated along Chun Tin Road, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery is known for selling Teochew-style pastries and traditional Western cakes at affordable prices.

Here’s why you should pay a visit to this bakery the next time you are in the Upper Bukit Timah area.

Step back into time once you reach the doorstep of Ng Kim Lee Confectionery. From traditional patterned tiled floors to the blue Bostwick collapsible gates (aka shophouse grilles), these are just some reasons why this humble bakery has stayed popular with many Singaporeans for more than 60 years.

Pastries always taste best freshly baked, and this is exactly what you’d get at Ng Kim Lee Confectionery. One of their top-selling bakes is the mini butter muffins.

At just S$0.70 per piece, you’d be able to sample many of their flavours without feeling the pinch. As we arrived rather late in the day, we only managed to pick up a couple of their Strawberry Muffins and Jam Muffins. These mini butter muffins had a balanced taste and was not overly buttery.

Other popular pastries that we sampled were the Honey Chicken Siew Pao (S$1.60 per piece) and Portuguese Egg Tart (S$1.50 per piece). The crust of the Honey Chicken Siew Pao was crispy and when cut, revealed tasty chicken chunks enveloped by a buttery flaky crust. The filling of the Portuguese Egg Tart had a slight milky flavour and its pastry was not overcooked.

If you fancy something sweeter, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery offers a decent spread of traditional Western cakes for your picking. We were told that the Durian Mousse Cake (S$3) and the Yam Mousse Cake (S$3) were their most popular flavours. Though you’d expect these ingredients to have strong flavours, both cakes were soft, slightly sweet, and light in flavour.

You can also pick up childhood snacks (such as Iced Gems, Pig Ears at S$3 per packet), Tau Sar Piah (S$4.50 per packet) and Walnut Biscuits (S$3 per packet) here. A tip: As their freshly baked pastries sell out quickly, we recommend visiting the bakery earlier in the day. Elsewise, drop by to enquire about their daily baking schedule so that you can pick up your favourite bakes fresh out of the oven.

Ng Kim Lee Confectionery
4 Chun Tin Road
Singapore 599591

Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery is an institution which has been dishing out Singapore-style old-school breads—or better recognised as buns—for decades.

While everyone has their favourites (and there are only a handful of surviving traditional bakeries in Singapore), we grew up with Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery at Serangoon Garden Market and it is our go-to place whenever we want to satisfy our craving for old-school buns.

“Zai Lai, Zai Lai!”

The daily fresh bakes from Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery are a true testament to the standards of old-school local-style breads.

The stall occupies two units in the buzzing Serangoon Garden Food Centre & Market, and since young, we’ve watched the two uncles picking breads from the shelves and calculating the total sum in godlike speed.

Queues are often seen especially in the morning when trays after trays of freshly baked buns are put up, and during lunch hour. Very often, they sell out by 2pm.

Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery has quite the selection of old-school buns. Pillowy soft with a brown skin and white interior, tears apart easily, and exudes a distinct fragrance that we grew up knowing.

The Butter Bun is probably the most famous one, while the Cheese Bun comes close in terms of popularity. The Hamburger is essentially chicken luncheon meat enveloped in soft bun, and the Kaya Peanut is our all-time favourite.

The aroma of the bakes often fill the market, and despite inflation and rising food costs, their prices remain low and the uncles are ever humble of their successes.

Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery
49A Serangoon Garden Way
#01-45 Garden Market
Singapore 555945

Read our guide on the traditional bakeries in Singapore you should support.

From the legendary Chin Mee Chin Confectionery, to the iconic Heap Seng Leong and Tong Ah Eating House, and the under-the-radar Sin Hoe Huat Cafe, here are 16 Kaya Toasts places in Singapore where you can get the best traditional Singapore-style breakfast of Kaya Toasts and local Kopi.

Photo credit: CHIN MEE CHIN Confectionery

CHIN MEE CHIN Confectionery

Specialising in local kopi, traditional kaya toasts and soft boiled eggs, Chin Mee Chin Confectionery is an institution known for its baked goods such as Swiss rolls, cream horns, luncheon meat buns and sugee cakes.

To the dismay of its loyal supporters, Chin Mee Chin Confectionery announced its permanent closure back in 2018 citing a lack of succession and manpower issues and it was closed for a few years.

The legendary Hainanese-style coffeeshop then made a sensational comeback at its original location at 204 East Coast Road.

Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
204 East Coast Road
Singapore 428903

FUN TOAST

Originally known as Kheng Nam Hong, a coffee house at Telok Ayer Street, Fun Toast has since rebranded to a modern concept where the younger generations of Singaporeans can better relate to.

One of their signatures includes the Kaya Butter Soft Bun set which features kaya smothered on buns that are crisp on the outside and incredibly soft on the inside. We highly recommend you to dip it into their soft-boiled eggs for an elevated flavour.

Fun Toast
9 Bishan Pl, #03-09, Singapore 579837
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

GOOD MORNING NANYANG CAFE

The kaya toast at Good Morning Nanyang Cafe is really unique. Their kaya spread is freshly made in-house; so rich, luscious and subtly sweet. But what sets them apart from the other kaya toast places in Singapore is their kaya ciabatta toast.

Good Morning Nanyang Cafe
Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, #02-03, Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 9650 3256

HEAP SENG LEONG

Although kopi gu you is a dying tradition, Heap Seng Leong is one of the surviving coffee shops in Singapore that still sells this old-school drink. Entering their humble space is often described as walking into a museum showcase of a 1950s kopitiam.

Slices of traditional white bread were toasted and flipped on a charcoal stove to brown both sides before they were lightly scrapped with butter knives to remove any burnt bits. Orange Hainanese-style of kaya spread and two squares of butter were sandwiched between two slices of toast before they were cut into triangles to be served.

Heap Seng Leong
10 North Bridge Rd, #01-5109
Singapore 190010
Tel: +65 6292 2368

HEAVENLY WANG

Heavenly Wang serves a mean slice of Kaya Toast (S$1.50), with thick butter slices and a sweet kaya spread generously tucked in between slightly crisp bread.

This halal eatery also whips up several other Singaporean classics too, so be sure to try out their signature Mee Siam that is well-loved by the locals.

Heavenly Wang
277 Orchard Road, #B2-07/08, Orchard Gateway, Singapore 238858
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

HILL STREET COFFEE SHOP

Hill Street Coffee Shop is an old-school coffee shop which evokes a sense of nostalgia that is hard to find in Singapore.

You have to try Hill Street Coffee Shop’s Steamed Kaya Bread. Expect to sink your teeth into the incredibly soft white bread, coated with a generous kaya spread with a distinct coconut element and topped off with pieces of savoury butter.

Hill Street Coffee Shop
Supertree Grove, Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive
Singapore 018953
Tel: +65 6702 3373

HUB & SPOKE

Located just outside Changi Airport Terminal 2 is HUB & SPOKE Cafe, a hidden glass house cafe which serves an array of affordable local dishes including Nasi Lemak, local Kopi and Kaya Toast.

They offer both kaya toast and steamed bread and you can choose from the usual fillings such as kaya butter, butter sugar, and peanut butter. All sets come with a choice of kopi/teh and soft-boiled eggs.

HUB & SPOKE Cafe
60 Airport Boulevard #01-T2S-02,
Singapore Changi Airport, 819643
Daily: 7.30am – 10.30pm

KILLINEY KOPITIAM

The pioneer outlet of Killiney Kopitiam was founded in 1919 and still operates along Killiney Road today; it is the longest standing Hainanese coffee shop in Singapore.

Other than the kaya toast, the coffee shop also dishes countless of local delights such as their famed Laksa and Curry Chicken. The standards across various outlets have dropped over the years, but the original branch at Killiney Road is still as good as before.

Killiney Kopitiam
67 Killiney Road, Singapore 239525
Tel: +65 6734 3910
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

KAFFE & TOAST

The halal subsidiary of Coffee & Toast, Kaffe & Toast is a local chain with more than 10 outlets in Singapore. Their kaya spread is made with more doses of egg yolk and is generously slathered on each slice of freshly grilled bread. We also love with the Mackerel Otah Bun that comes with fish otah.

Kaffe & Toast
10 Eunos Rd 8, #B1-157, Singapore 408600
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

KENG WAH SUNG

Situated along Geylang Lorong 41, Keng Wah Sung is one of the oldest coffee shops in Singapore and it has been serving its amazing local breakfast with kaya toast, traditional kopi and soft-boiled eggs for more than 70 years.

Keng Wah Sung Coffeeshop
783 Geylang Road
Singapore 389672

TOAST BOX

Opened by the BreadTalk group, Toast Box prides itself on offering authentic breakfast that will bring one back to the 70′s.

It is set to ignite nostalgia amongst the Singaporeans, completing the experience with a good Nanyang cuppa and grilled Kaya Toasts. Other popular options include the Floss Toast and Crunchy Peanut Butter Thick Toast.

Toast Box
AMK Hub, No. 53 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, #01-01, Singapore 569933
Tel: +65 6484 6591
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

TONG AH EATING HOUSE

Previously located in an iconic red and white building, Tong Ah Eating House is a traditional coffee shop that has been around since 1939 and has gained recognition for both its charcoal-toasted and steamed kaya toast.

While there is no lack of kaya toast places in Singapore, Tong Ah Eating House is one of those eateries that keeps customers going back for more. Everything is kept simple—from the modest wall decorations to their humble kaya toast and traditional coffee.

Be sure to catch them toasting the kaya toast on traditional charcoal grills and you can even request for your toast to be extra crispy.

Tong Ah Eating House
35 Keong Siak Road, Singapore 089143
Tel: +65 6223 5083

SIN HOE HUAT CAFE

A perennial favourite amongst the residents who live around the area and the folks who frequent the Lower Pierce Reservoir Park, Sin Hoe Huat Cafe at Sembawang Hills Food Centre has been serving simple yet consistently delicious traditional breakfast of kaya toasts and kopi since 1968!

Sembawang Hills Food Centre is not exactly an accessible location, but trust us, the kaya toasts and coffee from Sin Hoe Huat Cafe are worth travelling for.

Sin Hoe Huat Cafe
590 Thomson Road
#01-01 Sembawang Hills Food Centre
Singapore 574419

YA KUN KAYA TOAST

Established in 1944, Ka Kun Kaya Toast—one of the most famous kaya toast places in Singapore—needs no introduction.

The kaya from Ya Kun—made up of eggs, coconut milk, sugar and pandan—is sandwiched between crisp brown toasted bread. The household brand constantly keeps up with the trend to offer new menu items, and the consistency is the reason for our loyalty.

Ya Kun Kaya Toast
18, #01-01 China St, 049560
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

 YY KA FEI DIAN

Located in an old shophouse at the junction of Beach Road and Purvis Street, YY Kafei Dian is known for its traditional Hainanese fare and their famous old-school kaya toast and local kopi.

On the menu, you can find Hainanese fare including chicken rice, Hainanese-style pork chops, Hainan Braised Pork Belly and a range of zi char dishes. But what you have to try is their traditional coffee and old-school kaya toasts which are amongst the best that we’ve tried in Singapore.

YY Ka Fei Dian
37 Beach Rd, #01-01, Singapore 189678
Tel: +65 6336 8813

If you happen to be an avid fan of nostalgia, then Biscuit King is a place you most definitely have to check out. Situated along Upper Thomson Road, Biscuit King is just a few shops down from the famous Casuarina Curry Restaurant.

Stepping into this old-school biscuit shop will transport you back to your beloved childhood days—that is if you happen to be born before the late 90s.

From iconic past-times such as ‘pick-up sticks’ and ‘snakes and ladders’ that we used to indulge in back in primary school, to childhood snack time favourites such as iced gems to pineapple jam biscuits, Biscuit King is a place worth checking out even if you have never heard of these traditional snacks and games.

Be spoiled for choices at Biscuit King, there is a huge variety of old-school snacks for you to choose from.

Other than traditional snacks, you can also find classic games and toys such as pick-up sticks, marbles and even old maid and donkey cards.

Biscuit King
130 Casuarina Rd
Tel: +65 6458 0925

We all have a soft spot for nostalgic places that remind us of the good times and bring us back to rekindle the fondest memories of the past.

Especially the old-school ones, just family-run traditional eateries in Singapore that serve up hearty and honest food. These are the OG spots where our parents and even grandparents used to eat at years ago.

Here are 10 old-school eateries in Singapore that you should visit before they close down for good.

ANANDA BHAVAN RESTAURANT

Established in 1924, Ananda Bhavan Restaurant is the oldest Indian vegetarian restaurant in Singapore. The very first restaurant that opened was located along Selegie Road, at the rim of Little India and is a popular spot among locals.

Ananda Bhavan has many traditional snacks and tiffin dishes on its menu with their thosai, thali sets and bhatura being crowd favourites.

58 Serangoon Road
Singapore 217964
Tel: +65 6396 5464

CHIN CHIN EATING HOUSE

Chin Chin Eating House has been around for decades and it is known for their chicken rice and Hainanese dishes. You must order the signature Hainanese pork chops!

19 Purvis Street
Singapore 188598
Tel: +65 66337 4640

COLBAR

Offering a full-on menu of both Asian and Western fare, Colbar is one of the few gems in Singapore that we can safely say, has truly stood the test of time. Opened in 1953, the establishment formerly served as a canteen for the British army. It, therefore, gave rise to its name, Colbar, otherwise referred to as ‘Colonial Bar’.

Granted, Colbar’s food isn’t exactly cheap. But few places in Singapore can match the dining experience here.

Colbar
9A Whitchurch Road
Singapore 138839
Tel: +65 6779 4859

HEAP SENG LEONG

Heap Seng Leong is one of the surviving coffee shops in Singapore that still sells this old-school drink. Entering their humble space is often described as walking into a museum showcase of a 1950s kopitiam.

The old furnishing and dim lighting inside felt like a serene contrast to the modern coffeeshop right beside Heap Seng Leong. Time stood still as we started our day there and nourished ourselves while the uncle who wears the same pajamas each day went about pouring coffee for other customers. Having a slow breakfast there made for a peaceful morning.

10 North Bridge Rd, #01-5109
Singapore 190010
Tel: +65 6292 2368

GUAN HOE SOON

Guan Hoe Soon is a hidden gem in Joo Chiat that has dedicated itself to Peranakan cuisine ever since 1953. The restaurant might be a little bit of a hassle to get to unless you drive, but the food speaks of something worth the effort of getting to.

Here is where you can get proper Peranakan food as good as the ones your Nonya grandparents used to whip up (if you ever had any). Expect the classics such as their Ayam Buah Keluak, Assam Fish and Babi Panggang.

40 Joo Chiat Place
Singapore 427764
Tel: +65 6344 2761

LOVE CONFECTIONERY

When it comes to traditional confectioneries done right, nothing beats a good-old vintage bakery or confectionery. One such confectionery that still stands and is still a perennial favourite among many Singaporeans, is Love Confectionery.

At this neighbourhood bakery located in Alexandra Village, you won’t find dainty designs or out-of-this-world flavour pairings. Instead, what you can be sure of, are rich, sweet and intensely flavoured cakes that will no doubt have you yearning for the gym after—from their oh-so-decadent buttercream cake and their ever-popular, pandan chiffon cake.

122 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-60
Singapore 150122
Tel: +65 6278 2385

RED STAR RESTAURANT

Perhaps one of the few remaining authentic, old-school dim sum restaurants in Singapore—that comes with middle-aged ladies pushing food carts around with a myriad of edible dim sum treats—is Red Star Restaurant.

Red Star is nowhere near any most of the great dim sum restaurants in Singapore, in fact, quality has dropped a lot over the years. But it will always hold a special place in our hearts as we have grown up dining here.

54 Chin Swee Road #07-23
Singapore 160054
Tel: +65 6532 5266

SINGAPORE ZAM ZAM

Serving up delicious murtabak since 1908, Singapore Zam Zam is a humble restaurant located along North Bridge Road that is no stranger to locals—especially the meat lovers. Our personal favourites include the mutton murtabak that sees generous amounts of minced mutton, egg and onions as well as the chicken murtabak that uses shreds of chicken instead.

697-699 North Bridge Road
Singapore 198675
Tel: +65 6298 6320

TONG AH EATING HOUSE

Previously located in an iconic red and white building, Tong Ah Eating House is a traditional coffee shop that has been around since 1939 and has gained recognition for both its charcoal-toasted and steamed kaya toast.

While there is no lack of kaya toast places in Singapore, Tong Ah Eating House is one of those eateries that keeps customers going back for more. Everything is kept simple—from the modest wall decorations to their humble kaya toast and traditional coffee.

35 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089142
Tel: +65 6223 5083

YY KAFEI DIAN

Located in an old shophouse at the junction of Beach Road and Purvis Street, YY Kafei Dian is known for its traditional Hainanese fare and their famous old-school kaya toast, kopi.

On the menu, you can find Hainanese fare including chicken rice, Hainanese-style pork chops, Hainan Braised Pork Belly and a range of zi char dishes.

There is always a long queue during lunch hours, so make sure that you get there early.

37 Beach Rd, #01-01, Singapore 189678
Tel: +65 6336 8813

Chin Mee Chin—the famous old-school confectionery—is reopening at its original location at 204 East Coast Road. While it was earlier reported that Chin Mee Chin would be returning in March this year, there was a delay and it would be reopening in 15 Sep 2021 instead.

Specialising in local kopi, traditional kaya toasts and soft boiled eggs, this is the ultimate go-to destination for an authentic retro Singapore experience. The legendary coffee shop is also known for its baked goods such as Swiss rolls, cream horns, luncheon meat buns and sugee cakes.

Established in 1925, the legendary coffee shop has been closed for two years and according to an article by The Straits Times, it is making a comeback in partnership with the Ebb & Flow Group, which is behind food and beverage concepts such as The Dragon Chamber, Tigerlily Patisserie, and Sommer Dining.

Madam Sharon Tan, the granddaughter of the confectionery’s late founder, and her mother, Madam Leoang Kwang Ling (Chin Mee Chin’s main managing partner) remain shareholders in the business and will be working closely with the new partners to pass on their heritage recipes.

The seating capacity of the new Chin Mee Chin will be doubled to 50 seats, including a new alfresco area.

Stepping into Chin Mee Chin brings this nostalgic feeling—from the green floor tiles and marble round tables to the way the aunties shout across the room with your orders—almost as if time stood still in the good old days.

We cannot wait for Chin Mee Chin to reopen!

Chin Mee Chin
204 East Coast Road
Singapore 428903

It is truly amazing how our country made it to what it is today. From a third-world country to this bustling metropolis we call home, the journey certainly hadn’t been easy but here we are many decades later—still a little red dot but making an impact on the world.

We really have our forefathers to thank for everything we have today; they toiled hard and contributed greatly to our country. In the past, there were careers that are unheard of by the younger generations today—such as the Samsui women and letter writers.

Today, there are still a few old trades that can be found in Singapore that are worth learning more about. With no successors, these old trades face the threat of extinction and along with them, the culture and skills as well.

Before they vanish for good, here are 9 Old Trades In Singapore You Should Explore Before They Vanish With Time.

OLD-SCHOOL CONFECTIONERIES/ BAKERIES

Before BreadTalk and Four Leaves, there were neighbourhood bakeries and confectioneries that specialise in traditional snacks. Even with all the craze about customised cakes and over-the-top dessert tables, there are times when we just want to indulge in a simple sponge cake or sugar doughnut.

Where you can find it now: Jie Traditional Bakery, Love Confectionery

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

FORTUNE TELLERS

Since young, we were always pretty damn amazed whenever a fortune teller could predict something accurately. How did they even know all that stuff…?

Where you can find it now: Holland Village

Photo Credit: cegoh

KACANG PUTEH SELLER

Buying snacks used to be a fun thing—the friendly Kacang Puteh seller will push his mobile cart out and both kids and adults alike wait impatiently for him to fill up a paper cone with treats. Some mouthwatering snacks are sugar-coated nuts, cashew nuts and muruku.

Where you can find it now: Outside Peace Centre

Photo Credit: Ho Tit Coffee Powder Factory

OLD COFFEE ROASTING FACTORIES

It is a pity to watch the craft of roasting coffee traditionally fade out as modern factories take over with high tech machines.For those who have yet to experience first hand how coffee is roasted in the past, a trip to one of the few remaining traditional coffee powder factories will teleport you to old Singapore.

Where you can find it now: Ho Tit Coffee Powder Factory, Lam Yeo Coffee Powder

Photo Credit: blog.hr

MAMA SHOPS

The magic of a mama shop is that you can ANYTHING in it. Household items, groceries, stationeries and snacks—the things you can find there are endless. Items are always on the cheaper end as compared to supermarkets and they are always located on the first floor of residential buildings.

Where you can find it now: HDB blocks

Photo Credit: Kenneth Tan

STREET COBBLERS

Whether you’re in desperate need to get a broken sole replaced, or not, old-school street cobblers are definitely one of the oldest trades that you can still find pretty rampant today—especially so in areas like the CBD or outside busy train stations.

Where you can find it now: Outside Holland Village MRT Station

MOBILE ICE CREAM CARTS

Artisanal ice creams are all the rage now, but who can deny that push-cart style ice cream are just the best (and cheapest) treats around? At only S$1.20, you can choose to have multiple flavours or go for favourites such as Raspberry Ripple and Peppermint Chocolate Chip. We love having our ice cream sandwiched between rainbow-coloured bread!

Where you can find it now: Orchard Road

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

BUMBOAT OPERATORS

We have bumboat operators to thank for our smooth journeys to Pulau Ubin from Changi Village. For now, the operators are made up of elderly uncles and there are not many youngsters who are willing to work in this trade.

Where you can find it now: Changi Village, Clarke Quay

Photo Credit: hiveminer

KARANG GUNI

Hands up if you know the Karang Guni jingle! Locals will definitely know when a Karang Guni is at their doorstep just by the honking of the horn and the unmistakable “Karang Guni!” cry. This old profession is physically draining as they have to carry stacks of newspapers and unwanted gadgets.

Where you can find it now: You don’t find them; they find you.

We’ve seen countless food and restaurant concepts from all over the world opening up here over the years and while Singapore remains a hub for all things new and trendy with regards to gastronomy, there are several heritage gems that still, and will always, bear timeless appeal.

These are the places that our parents and even grandparents used to frequent, the original hangout spots before the era of modern cafes and posh eateries. Taking a trip down memory lane, here is our list of 8 dining establishments that will transport you back to old Singapore.

BRITISH HAINAN

Tucked in the estates of Joo Chiat lies a quaint family-run restaurant—British Hainan—and dining here feels like we are taken back to 1960s. Once you step into the restaurant, you can find lots of vintage collectables like old gramophones, mixers and pay phone that we used in the past.

They serve multiple classic British dishes with a Hainanese twist, but the dishes to-die-for include their signature oxtail stew and their braised lamb shank.

75 Carpmael Road
Singapore 429812
Tel: +65 6336 8122
Mon to Sun: 11am – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Closed on Tuesdays
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar/Eunos

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COLBAR

First opened in 1953 at Jalan Hang Jebat to serve as the unofficial canteen for members of the British Army back in the day, Colbar is both a heritage site as well as a popular haunt for lovers of craft beer and a wide variety of both Chinese and Western grub.

The food is nothing much to rave about but what you do get is a charming and fascinating look into old colonial Singapore—and a couple of ice-cold artisanal beers too while you’re at it.

9A Whitchurch Road,
Singapore 138839
Tel: +65 6779 4859
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

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COLONY

What sets Colony apart from other buffet restaurants is that they adorn a classic charm that transports you back to a time to when Singapore was still a developing state and the culinary journey at Colony will remind you of our heritage.

The Colony impresses even the most discerning taste buds through seven kitchens that showcase a mouth-watering spread of Chinese, Indonesian, Indian, Malaysian, Western and local dishes.

7 Raffles Ave
The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore
Singapore 039799
Tel: +65 6434 5288
Mon to Sat: 6.30am – 10.30am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 3.30pm – 5.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 6.30am – 10.30am, 12pm – 3.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

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HEAP SENG LEONG

They say that you need to keep making changes in order to improve but Heap Seng Leong coffeeshop has proved that philosophy wrong. Established in 1974, this coffee shop has kept maintained its heritage by doing things the way it used to be done 40 years ago.

Apart from the traditional breakfast, Heap Seng Leong is well known for their kopi gu you, which is also known as butter coffee. The taste of kopi gu you is similar to that of a normal kopi but much creamier with a slice of cold butter that melts on top.

10 North Bridge Road, #01-5109
Singapore 190010
Daily: 4am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Lavender

KILLINEY KOPITIAM

Singapore’s second largest kaya toast chain with more than 20 outlets nationwide, Killiney Kopitiam is a well-established coffee shop with outlets conveniently located at popular locations, easy for their customers to find.

Many might think of Ya Kun when it comes to kaya toast but Killiney definitely puts up a good fight. Slathered with sweet kaya and butter in between the two slices of soft bread that have already been toasted to perfection, the aroma of the slightly burnt toast is hard to forget.

67 Killiney Road
Singapore 239525
Tel: +65 6734 3910 / 6734 9648
*Mon, Wed to Sat: 6am – 10pm
Tues & Sun: 6am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

(Killiney Kopitiam has multiple outlets)

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OLD SCHOOL DELIGHTS

Modelled to look like a typical classroom, Old School Delights is one of the most interesting vintage cafes we have ever been to. Decorated with chalkboards, wooden furniture, and a menu in a form of an exercise book, this place definitely makes us wish we were back in school because as much as we hated school, we have to admit that school days were definitely the best days of our lives.

Old School Delights strives to relive culinary memories of Singapore’s past through their authentic recipes that have been passed down through generations. A must-try at the café is their famous Old School Heritage Mee Siam that boasts over 30 years of history. The rich flavour of the mee siam paired with a touch of zesty lime just makes the whole dish perfect!

180 Kitchener Rd
Singapore 208539
Tel: +65 6458 4518
*Mon to Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

(Old School Delights has multiple outlets)

TONG AH EATING HOUSE

Although kaya toast sets can easily be found in Singapore, Tong Ah Eating House is one of those eateries that we just can’t get enough of, from its rustic, old-world charm to their stellar kopi and kaya toast offerings.

Their Traditional Kaya Toast Set comes with kaya toast, two soft-boiled eggs, and a drink. Toasted till slightly charred, the kaya toast was exceptionally crispy with a smoky aftertaste.

35 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089142
Tel: +65 6223 5083
Daily: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park

YET CON RESTAURANT

Founded in 1940, Yet Con Restaurant has been dishing out plates of their popular and oh-so-tasty chicken rice even way before the Japanese occupation.

At Yet Con, their chicken is cooked for hours, which enhances the flavours of the meat and gives it its signature tenderness. You can really feel the firm texture of the meat, which was not too drying and their chicken skin is definitely not oily at all.

25 Purvis Street
Singapore 188602
Tel: +65 6337 6819
Daily: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade