It is such a shame that traditional bakeries are vanishing as Singapore’s economy progresses. The food industry is competitive and many older confectioneries have long given way to other profitable businesses. That comes as no surprise as Singaporeans are only willing to pay S$1 for a local treat, but have no qualms splurging S$10 on a premium cake.

Fortunately, several age-old establishments’ utmost dedication in serving handcrafted heritage delicacies have withstood the test of time and transient fads. The only worry is whether there would be young Singaporean artisans to take over this tough trade.

From halal-certified Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery to award-winning Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring, here is our guide to 11 Traditional Bakeries In Singapore To Check Out.

Photo Credit: cheehuey

BALMORAL BAKERY

One of the oldest bakeries in Singapore, Balmoral Bakery has been dishing out its baked goods to its loyal customers since 1965. With baked goods piped with buttercream sold in paper boxes featuring a vintage red print, Balmoral Bakery is a throwback to the good ol’ days.

105 Clementi Street 12
Singapore 120105
Tel: +65 6779 2064

JIE TRADITIONAL BREAD 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
Mon to Sat: 7am – 11.30pm
Sun: 10am – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

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
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 5pm
Sat: 8am – 5pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Outram Park / Tanjong Pagar

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
Mon to Sat: 6.30am – 6pm
Sun: 6.30am – 2pm
Nearest Station: Bedok / Tanah Merah

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
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown / Redhill

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.

Other pastries that are baked in-house and sold at Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries include Roasted Chicken Pastry, Polo Buns, Lotus Seed Century Egg Pastry and Mushroom Chicken Pie.

Photo Credit: Ben Lim

NG KIM LEE CONFECTIONERY

Old is indeed gold. Ng Kim Lee Confectionery is one long-standing traditional bakery that has won itself a legion of loyal patrons over the past 60 years. The vast selection of cakes and pastries sold here will have you spoilt rotten for choice.

The best part? Prices remain extremely affordable in this old Chinese bakery.

4 Chun Tin Road
Singapore 599591
Tel: +65 6466 3515
Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 9.30pm
Sun: 9am – 1pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

Photo Credit: The Pine Garden

THE PINE GARDEN

Located in the Ang Mo Kio heartlands, The Pine Garden is famous for their airy light buttercream sponge cakes. The household establishment is very popular amongst Singaporeans—especially those residing in the North. Despite being a traditional bakery, The Pine Garden also tries to be innovative by launching new items such as alcoholic cakes.

529 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10
#01-236/9
Singapore 560529
Daily: 9.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

SING HON LOONG BAKERY

Sing Hon Loong Bakery’s secluded location triggered our curiosity—how does the age-old bakery survive with such little traffic? As it turns out, the traditional store is a supplier of chain store of popular Ya Kun Kaya Toast. Besides their signature bread loaves, Sin Hon Loong also sells cheese and sugar buns.

4 Whampoa Drive
Singapore 327715
Tel: +65 6256 0878
Daily: 24-hours
Nearest Station: Novena / Boon Keng

TRADITIONAL HAIG ROAD PUTU PIRING

Award-winning Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring is renowned for their putu pirings and has been unanimously coined by foodies as Singapore’s best. The queue is notoriously long, but endure the wait and you are treated to piping hot Malay rice cakes stuffed with palm sugar. These sweet delights are steamed fresh upon order and topped off with salted grated coconut.

Haig Road Market & Food Centre
Stall #01-08, 14 Haig Road
Singapore 430014
Tel: +65 9688 3067
Daily: 11am to 10pm
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

Photo Credit: Tong Heng

TONG HENG

Chinese bakery Tong Heng has been around since Singapore’s colonial days and is most well known for their mouthwatering diamond-shaped egg tarts. Besides the must-order egg tarts, visitors can indulge in other Cantonese confectionery such as Char Siew Crispy Cakes and Curry Puffs.

Having undergone a massive revamp, their stall now exudes a rather modern, almost cafe-like appeal that’s great for simply lounging about over a hot coffee and a couple of freshly baked egg tarts.

285 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058833
Tel: +65 6223 3649
Daily: 9am to 10pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

There are many versions of egg tarts across the world, but the rendition that resonates best with us Singaporeans would probably be the Hong Kong-style egg tart. These rich and creamy egg custards encased within flaky, buttery pastry shells are mad delicious and best eaten lukewarm.

It is something that can be eaten for breakfast, as a midday snack, or even supper. We are always up for a good egg tart.

From Honolulu, Tong Heng Confectionery to Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries, here is our guide to the 8 Best Egg Tarts in Singapore that are worth all the damn calories.

#1 CANTON PARADISE

Canton Paradise’s mini egg tarts (S$4.20 for three) are delightfully light and is one dish we would always order when we dine in the casual restaurant. We love how well its soft, velvety custard complements the crispy, flaky pastry.

1 Vista Exchange Green
B1-45, The Star Vista, The Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

#2 HONOLULU CAFE

Honolulu Cafe’s freshly baked egg tarts (S$1.70 each) are the best in town. Its signature flaky tarts – characterised by a very buttery and mildly sweet light-coloured pastry shell – are filled with smooth, creamy egg custard.

The Centrepoint #01-33F/G
176 Orchard Road
Singapore 238843
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#3 LEUNG SANG HONG KONG PASTRIES

Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries’ amazingly buttery flaky egg tarts (S$1.30 each) are incredibly addictive. The egg custard boasts a distinct pastel yellow shade and is creamy, silky and sweet. Hands down one of the best egg tarts you can find in Singapore.

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

#4 SONG GARDEN

As far as egg tarts go, it is more than just the yellowish custard that defines a really good one. The short-crust pastry that encases it is just as important—if not, more. Here at Song Garden, the Mini Egg Tarts (S$4.20++ for 3 pieces) are far better than your traditional flaky egg tarts. Buttery, crumbly and filled with a luscious egg filling, each bite will transport you to heaven.

What we particularly loved about this was the fact that it was small enough to eat in one bite, which for one, does away with the nuisance of crumbs falling everywhere, and allows you to taste every single component at one go.

122 Middle Road
Mercure Singapore Bugis
Singapore 188973
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

#5 TAI CHEONG BAKERY

Hailing from Hong Kong, Tai Cheong Bakery is a reputable institution in Hong Kong with 14 outlets across the city. Tai Cheong Bakery has been serving irresistibly tasty egg tarts for over half a century. Instead of the usual flaky case, Tai Cheong’s egg tarts come in a hard shell.

Takashimaya Basement 2
391 Orchard Road
Singapore 238873
Tel: +65 6738 1111
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#6 TONG HENG CONFECTIONERY

Od-school bakery Tong Heng has been around since Singapore’s colonial days and is renowned for their iconic diamond-shaped egg tarts; slightly flaky crust encasing a wobbly pure egg custard (S$1.40). Definitely one of the most popular egg tarts in Singapore.

285 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058833
Tel: +65 6223 3649
Daily: 9am to 10pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

#7 TUNGLOK SIGNATURES

TungLok Signatures’ Baked Mini Egg Tarts (S$4.50 for 3) are always consistency good and they have never disappointed us. The dimsum restaurant may be famous for many reasons, but their egg tarts is one that always draws us back.

Orchard Parade Hotel #02-18
1 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247905
Tel : +65 6834 0660
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#8 YAN TING

Located in St Regis Hotel, Yan Ting is an upscale Chinese restaurant that serves gourmet delicacies and refined dim sum dishes. Their traditional Cantonese egg tarts ($1.60 per piece) are a tad too small, but nevertheless yummy.

29 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247911
Tel: +65 6506 6887
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard