Nyonya kueh in Singapore for a traditional sweet treat
There’s no denying Singaporeans’ love for Nyonya kueh. These eye-catching treats, from the bright red Ang Ku Kueh to the original rainbow steamed lapis, make regular appearances during breakfasts, tea time and, of course, celebrations since young. Finding a good one, however, is no easy task. But we’ve done the hard work for you. Here are 12 bakeries, cafes and online shops to check out for when the kueh craving strikes.
1. Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry Bakery
Image credit: @cweizhi
You will never know what you’ll be bringing home from Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry Bakery, but that’s a good thing. Chef-owner Tan Yong Siang and his wife Jenny Soh have been doling out old-school cakes, tarts, cookies and, of course, kueh since the 1980s. They have over 100 different treats. But since everything is handmade, only a selection is available at any given time.
Tan, who has over 50 years of experience, refined recipes passed down from his Peranakan grandmother. Get a glimpse of his childhood in colourful treats, such as the Kueh Dar-dar ($0.80), Kueh Kosui ($0.70), Sweet Potato Ondeh Ondeh ($0.60), and Sweet Potato Huat Kueh ($1). The latter is a fluffy afternoon tea snack that’s teeming with mashed sweet potatoes.
Hint: The bright yellow sign is hard to miss, but chances are, it’s the wafting aroma of fresh coconut that’ll lead you here.
Address: Block 55 Tiong Bahru Road, #01-39, Singapore 160055
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am to 8pm
Tel: 6324 1686
2. Lek Lim Nyonya Cake Confectionery
Image credit: Lek Lim
What started out as a small home-based operation has become one of Singapore’s institutions for nyonya kueh. Lek Lim Nyonya Cake Confectionery started in 1968 delivering kueh straight to homes, before finally opening shop in 1979. It remains at the same location today, with third-generation owner Gavin Sing at the helm.
They’re known for their Ang Ku Kueh ($0.65), with its thin, chewy skin, and fragrant green paste filling. Other items to try include their Ubi Kayu ($0.75), a steamed tapioca cake, as well as the Kotoh Ubi ($0.75), where mashed tapioca is soaked generously in gula Melaka.
Address: 84 Bedok North Street 4, #01-21, Singapore 460084
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 5am to 5pm, Sun 5am to 2pm
Tel: 6449 0815
Website
3. Molly’s Nyonya Kueh
Image credit: Molly Nonya Cake and Confectionery
Going to Molly’s Nyonya Kueh feels like you’ve just entered grandma’s home. The staff are friendly—be it the husband-and-wife duo that opened the store back in 1983 or their children that now run it—and are ever-ready to take you through the myriad selection of kueh, bao, and rice dumplings.
The usual suspects aside, it’s one of the few places that do a mean Lemper Udang ($1.30)—a glutinous rice roll that’s stuffed with dried shrimps. Sweet yet salty with a hint of spice, it is a match made in Nyonya heaven with their other specialty, the Spicy Fish Otah ($0.60). Those with a sweet tooth must also try the beautiful Pulut Inti ($0.70).
Address: 104 Hougang Avenue 1, #01-1121, Singapore 530104
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 4am to 7:30pm, Sun and PH 4am to 5pm
Tel: 6286 4234
Website
4. Borobudur Snacks Shop
Image credit: @jamietan04
If you have space for only one thing at Borobudur Snacks Shop, make it their Ang Ku Kueh ($0.70). Coming in a variety of flavours including salted mung bean and yam, they’ve garnered a loyal following thanks to the kueh’s thin skin and ample filling. Some say theirs is the chunkiest ang ku kueh in Singapore. They also sell Ondeh Ondeh, Kueh Lapis, and a melt-in-your-mouth Durian Ambon.
Address: 537 Bedok North Street 3, Singapore 460537
Opening hours: Daily, 7am to 9pm
Tel: 6442 7637
5. Kueh Garden
Image credit: Kueh Garden’s Facebook page
Besides standard offerings of green bean and peanut, Kueh Garden offers a colourful selection of Ang Ku Kuehs in 11 flavours ($0.90). Unique flavours include coffee, green tea and durian. Each features a mochi-like texture that’s so addictive, you may very well devour an entire platter.
Owners Liu Fang Xi and Freddie Chen are new contenders to the scene. The former engineers cut their teeth at Lim Lam Hong confectionery in Jalan Bukit Merah, before opening this store in December 2016. Check out the savoury Golden Jade Kueh ($1), the shop’s own creation of sweet potato skin wrapped around a fragrant filling of stir-fried yam.
Address: Block 348 Jurong East Avenue 1, #01-1245, Singapore 600348.
Opening hours: Sun-Mon 7am to 3pm, Tue-Sat 7am to 5pm
Tel: 6264 9182
Website
6. Lina Confectionery
Image credit: Lina Confectionery
You’ll have to come early if you want a taste of Lina Confectionery’s kueh. They have only one display case, and they will call it a day once everything is sold out. Highlights include their kueh salat ($1), yam-flavoured ang ku kueh ($0.90), and the steam lapis ($1). The latter features a whopping total of 18 layers and takes four hours to prepare. Complimenting these sweet treats is a succinct selection of fried snacks. Most come by for her Resoles ($1.30), an Indonesian take on rissole.
Address: 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1, Singapore 150124
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9:30am to 8pm
Tel: 6271 6996
Website
7. MRS KUEH
Previously, MRS KUEH’s Kueh Salat could only be enjoyed at the swanky Clan Café. Thankfully, chef Maureen Nguee has decided to open an e-commerce shop. Dessert fiends can now get their hands on it without travelling down!
Clan Cafe Review: Hidden Cafe At Keong Saik Road With One Of The Best Kueh Salat In SG
Maureen painstakingly makes each cake herself, hence the advance order of four days. Fresh pandan juice and coconut milk are used to create a thick kaya custard, in lieu of the standard pandan layer, adding a luscious touch to the hand-stained butterfly pea-dyed glutinous rice. It’s available in a handful of sizes, including a seven-inch round ($56) or an eight-inch square ($72).
8. Makko Teck Neo
Image credit: @foodieuncle
Makko Teck Neo is named after Madam Peck Teck Neo, the lovely Peranakan auntie who is often found behind the counter of this family-run cafe. When Madam Peck opened shop in 2008, she already had a loyal following of customers for her pineapple tarts, which she sold during Chinese New Year since the 1980s. Her repertoire grew to include dry mee siam and nasi lemak, which used to fuel employees of Zouk. Now, her delectable menu of savouries and sweets can be enjoyed at the café or from the takeaway kiosk at Tang Plaza.
Despite its recent expansion, Madam Peck continues to prepare everything from scratch, including the rempah (spice paste) in the Rempah Udang ($2), as well as the velvety pumpkin layer in the Kueh Salat Pumpkin ($2.20 for two pieces). She even crushes the almonds in her Sugee Cake ($4 for two pieces)! Don’t forget to stock up on the Soon Kueh ($3) or an incredibly fragrant Nyonya Yam Cake ($2.60) for breakfast.
Address: 35 Telok Blangah Rise, #01-303, Singapore 090035
Opening hours: Daily 9:45 am to 9pm
Tel: 6275 1330
Website
9. Ollella
Image credit: Ollella
Ollella is run by two Indonesian sisters serving up tried-and-true family recipes, both savoury and sweet. On the kueh front, must-tries include their Kueh Lapis Legit, Indonesian-style kueh lapis that is dense, but still fluffy, available in flavours such as original, prune, and Nutella. Prices start at $45 for two. They currently have two brick-and-mortar outlets outside of their online store, located in Little India and Bukit Timah.
Website | Full list of locations
Ollella To Open In Bukit Timah, Bringing Famous Kueh To The West
10. Kia Xiang Du Du Nyonya Kueh
Image credit: @jimmyfooddiary
If you love kueh tutu, head down to Kia Xiang Du Du at Beo Crescent. This humble hawker makes tutu kueh fresh to order, each steamed round full of fluffy coconut, or sweet, crunchy peanut. You can have your tutu kueh small, made with a mould, at $2 for four pieces, or large at $0.80 a piece. The stall also sells other old-school treats like huat kueh and ang ku kueh.
Address: 38A Beo Crescent, #01-88, Singapore 168892
Opening hours: Sun-Tue 6:30am to 2pm
11. Kim Choo Kueh Chang
Image credit: Kim Choo Kueh Chang
You may know them for their bak chang, but Kim Choo Kueh Chang is also a hub for Nyonya sweets. Having been around since the 1940s, this humble heritage stall still makes their kueh by hand and from scratch. Get ondeh ondeh, kueh ambon, ang ku kueh, kueh salat, and plenty more, all for under $5. They make their own kaya too!
Address: 60 Joo Chiat Place, Singapore 427784
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 9pm
Tel: 6344 0830
Website
12. The Kuihmaker
Image credit: @thekuihmaker
New kid on the block The Kuihmaker serves up traditional Malay kuih in Bukit Batok. They started out as a home-based business, but have since branched into a physical store making kueh and other bakes that sell out in the morning, daily. Kueh prices start at $0.60 apiece, and you can get your hands on freshly made Kueh Kosui, Putri Salat, and many others.
Address: 447 Bukit Batok West Avenue 9, #01-02, Singapore 650447
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 6:30am to 11am
Tel: 8890 0074
Website
The Kuihmaker: Under-HDB Bakery Sells Traditional Kueh From $0.60
Best nyonya kueh in Singapore
Muffins and cakes may be toothsome treats to have during tea-time, but we will always have a soft spot for nonya kueh. And these 12 spots serve up some of the best in Singapore!
If you’re in the mood for something savoury, check out our list of char kway teow stalls in Singapore. Alternatively, read more about our favourite hokkien mee stalls!
Featured image adapted from Molly Nonya Cake and Confectionery, Lek Lim, and @cweizhi.
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