Everything from artisanal ingredients to unusual flavours
By Samantha Francis, Cover photo: BAKE Inc
While cheese tarts are having a big moment right now, we can’t help but feel that all other crumbly, buttery counterparts deserve to be in the spotlight as well.
From wobbly, soft egg tarts to silky smooth bean curd tarts and even a luscious sea salt Nutella creation, we’ve rounded up seven delicious tarts you can find in Singapore.
BAKE Inc – Baked Cheese Tart
BAKE Inc, one of Hokkaido’s best cheese tarts, is now available in Singapore. (Photo: BAKE Inc)
Lucky us, one of Hokkaido’s best cheese tarts ($3.50), is now available in Singapore. BAKE Inc specialises in cheese tarts that are made with three different types of cream cheese, namely mild Hakodate, full-bodied Betsukai and the saltier French cheese.
The crunchy tart, made from cookies and twice baked, snaps off cleanly with each bite, while its cheese filling has a mousse-like texture. On the whole, the tart was light on the palette, with a lingering salty-sweet flavour.
BAKE Inc, ION Orchard, #B4-33, Singapore 238801
Honolulu Café – Egg Tart
Honolulu Café is the famous cha chaan teng (tea restaurant) that has captivated many for its famous egg tarts. (Photo: Honolulu Café)
Founded in 1940s Hong Kong, Honolulu Café is the famous cha chaan teng (tea restaurant) that has captivated many for its famous egg tarts ($1.70). Here, diners can enjoy these egg tarts, baked fresh with limited quantities available for sale daily.
We liked the wobbly and soft egg custard filling, which contrasted nicely with the flaky crust. While leaving our mouths with a buttery finish, the tarts weren’t oily or heavy on our taste buds.
Honolulu Café, The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Road, #01-33F/G Singapore 238843
Butter Studio – Sea Salt Nutella Tart
Few tarts are as memorable as Butter Studio’s signature Sea Salt Nutella Tart. (Photo: Butter Studio)
Few tarts are as memorable as Butter Studio’s signature Sea Salt Nutella Tart ($12 for two). While the intriguing dessert looks like a simple chocolate tart, each subsequent bite reveals the burnt and sugary flavour of salted caramel, well hidden in the luscious Nutella filling.
The sticky and rich filling is encased in a hard crust for some added texture. Pair this tart with a glass of iced coffee or tea, and you’ll be all set.
Butter Studio, 147 Jln Besar, Singapore 208865
Tarte by Cheryl Koh – Alphonso Mango Tart
(Photo: Tarte by Cheryl Koh)
Having been a fan of the Les Amis group, I knew I couldn’t give Tarte by Cheryl Koh a miss. Helmed by the restaurant group’s award-winning pastry chef, the takeaway retail concept specialises in artisanal tarts baked from scratch, with the best ingredients sourced from around the world.
A prime example is the Alphonso Mango Tart (from $9), which features seasonal Indian mangoes on light vanilla cream. The mangoes were exceptionally fresh and sweet, and nicely cradled by a crisp pastry shell.
Tarte by Cheryl Koh, Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Rd, #01-12, Singapore 228208
Tart Blanc – Peach and Salted Yolk Tart
Tart Blanc’s Peach and Salted Yolk Tart is full of salty-sweet flavours. (Photo: Tart Blanc)
If you fancy salty-sweet flavours but find most salted egg yolk desserts too rich and cloying for you, be sure to try Tart Blanc’s Peach and Salted Yolk Tart ($7.50).
Its light crust holds a sour cream cake filled with molten salted yolk filling, topped with sliced peaches for a refreshing hint of sweetness. For a decadent twist, pair the tart with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an additional $1.20.
Tart Blanc, Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd, Singapore 039596
L.E. Cafe Confectionery & Pastry – Bean Curd Tart
(Photo: L.E. Cafe Confectionery & Pastry)
Love the silky smooth texture of bean curd and the buttery crunch of a short crust tart? Have the best of both worlds with the light and tasty bean curd tarts ($10 for box of eight) from L.E. Cafe Confectionery & Pastry.
Made with no pork or lard, these tarts are each shaped like a ramekin and substantial enough to fill your belly for a midday snack. We highly recommend enjoying these tarts chilled — they could even give old-school tau huay (soy beancurd) a run for its money.
L.E. Cafe Confectionery & Pastry, 264 Middle Road, David Elias Building, Singapore 188990
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of Weekender, Issue 155, June 24 – July 7, 2016, with the headline ‘Tantalising Tarts’.
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