A stalwart bastion of traditional nonya kuehs, Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry has been enamouring senses since its inception in the 1970s, enrapturing with its beautiful array of traditional kuehs and baked goods.

It has been reported by Eatbook that the famous old-school bakery may be closing its current space in Tiong Bahru due to an impending sale of their shophouse unit. However, it remains unclear whether Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry is closing for good or simply moving to a new shop.

Photo by Nicholas Poey

When we contacted the Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry about their closure, the staff was hesitant and reluctant to confirm that they are closing for good and she brushed us off by asking us to “visit them soon to buy their kuehs”.

For those of you who haven’t been to Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry, it is an old-school confectionery in Tiong Bahru that sees long queues daily, this family-owned business is untouched by time and specialises in nonya kueh.

Go for the classics here for a taste of nostalgia—their kueh kosui and ongol-ongol are results of a precarious culinary balancing act, and their bestsellling putu ayu have both a coconut and gula melaka crown for added flavour and texture contrast.

If you’re early and lucky, you have to try their signature Putu Ayu. These cute little pandan cakes are topped with desiccated coconut and gula melaka; so soft and subtly sweet with a lovely fragrance, you can’t stop at just one!

Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry
Block 55 Tiong Bahru Road #01-39
Singapore 160055
Tel: +65 6324 1686

Read our guide on 20 Nonya Kueh places in Singapore to satisfy your kueh cravings.

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

Kaya toast and eggs is the nation’ favourite breakfast combination. Together with an aromatic cup of local-style coffee or tea – or what we affectionately call kopi or teh – it is the simplest form of comfort food and one that we will never get sick of.

Whenever we dine at YaKun or Toast Box, we’d wish for an operator to reinvent the environment of a toast-and-eggs joint with a modern and cafe-like take. So when we heard about La’ Coffee - located next to Old Hen Coffee Bar in the Rangoon Road neighbourhood - we headed down on its first week of operation to check them out.

La’ Coffee is not your usual kaya toast places like Yakun and Toastbox; it is quite essentially a modern café that focuses on old school snacks such as traditional bread like Kaya Toast (S$3.50), Butter Sugar Toast (S$3.50); traditional coffee and tea (S$3.50 – S$4) – Teh, Teh O, Kopi C, Kopi O – as well as Asian snacks like Yam Cake (S$4) and Chee Cheong Fun (S$4). You can opt for the Combo Set (S$8.50) which comes with toast, half boiled eggs and coffee/tea.

Actually, La’ Coffee is a really good concept, but it could have been more well-executed if more thoughts were put into the designing of the place, as well as the little details like its music and choice of furniture.

Nonetheless, it is one new kid to check out. Prices are naturally higher than your usual kaya toast places, but what you get in return is a different café experience – think of having traditional coffee in a clean and comfortable modern spot.

La’ Coffee
88 Rangoon Road #01-02
Tel: +65 6341 7525
Mon to Thu: 8am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 1am
Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

The world is ever changing, and we are always on the lookout for food trends and new fads. Sometimes, we ditch things that are no longer attractive, or has no more popularity to boast. But there are many things that stay close to our hearts, for we grew up with them and memories of us as kids enjoying these snacks are always the fondest.

We took a long walk down memory lane, and dug out many treasures that we used to save our pocket money for when we were kids. Here is a list of 19 old school Singapore snacks every kid from the ’80s and ’90s loved. Which is your favourite?

1. BEE BEE

What do you do when you have leftover from your pocket money? You buy a packet of this orange snack – it was only S$0.20!

2. BOBDOG CIGARETTE CANDY

We were always taught about the hazards of smoking, but it was acceptable to look cool with these cigarette candies. The boys would take the cola, and strawberry’s for the girls.

3. CREAM CRACKERS

With milo please. My favorite breakfast! Break them into pieces and soak them in a cup of warm milo. Ahhh… Simply pleasures in life!

4. FAKE M&M

For the lack of a better name. But who cares when we could have more fun piercing those foil and getting the colourful chocolates out?

5. GEM BISCUIT

Simple happiness that Mama would frown upon, and we were only allowed to eat the biscuit and not the icing. And when Mama wasn’t looking, my sisters and I would fight over the pink ones.

6. HACKS 

Hard candies in an assortment of flavours. Whether you like the blackcurrant or the honey lemon, these candies are ever popular even with our parents!

7. HAW CANDY

Or better known as xian zha. How very comforting!

8. HELLO PANDA

Grew up eating hello panda, and still eating hello panda even in my 20s. And I know I am not the only one.

9. ICE POP

What are class parties and chalets without these colourful ice pops? Whoever slurps the loudest wins!

10. MAMEE MONSTER

The most affectionate monster that no kids would run away from. Mamee, oh Mamee! You made us love crushing uncooked noodles.

11. OVALTINE CANDIES

I LOVE THESE! And a portion of my pocket money would go to the snacks shop’s Aunty – just for these malt candies.

12. PEZ REFILLABLE CANDY

Who else loved these collectible? And I always secretly wished they’d run out of refills so that I could get a whole new one.

13. POPPING CANDY

Or magic candy, we’d more affectionately call it. One packet is never enough to get all that poppin’ fun!

14. PUSH POP

One of the coolest sweets, ever! The grape ones used to be so popular, or get the blueberry one so that you can have a cool blue tongue after eating.

15. PINK DOLPHIN

Back in school, if you were seen with a bottle of pink dolphin, you would be deemed as cool. I can actually remember which classmates of mine would reuse their bottles for plain water – just because the iconic bottle would made them look like hipsters.

16. SUPER RING

Another orange snack that everyone loves. Just remember to wash your hands after eating, else the orange powder would stain badly!

17. TWISTIES

Curry, tomato, BBQ… Whichever flavour you like, one packet is not enough.

18. WHEEL CRACKERS

Who else used to pass this around class and snack sneakily when the teacher wasn’t looking?

19. WHITE RABBIT CANDY

No one cares about the melanin in milk and all that china saga, because nothing is gonna change our love for these candy. Yes, eat them with the wrapper!