We suss out highly-popular goodies made from time-honoured recipes
Old-school festive goodies have a special place in the hearts of Singaporeans, by virtue of their honest-to-goodness flavours and distinctively homemade taste.
Some of the shops that produce the best Lunar New Year goodies are known by the queues that they summon year after year whereas others are more hush-hush and known only to a few, as they are family secrets. Here are a handful of our favourites.
Old Seng Choong Carrot Cake
Old Seng Choong’s Carrot Cake is best savoured warm or pan-fried.
Under the helm of Chef Daniel Tay, the well-loved Old Seng Choong name has made a comeback — as a tribute to his father who once ran the confectionary shop from 1965 to 1996.
In time for the Lunar New Year festivities, this e-business has launched four goodies, namely Carrot Cake, Yam Cake, Red Date Cake and Nian Gao.
Packaged in stylish boxes sporting vintage floral motifs, these cakes pay homage to a bygone era and time-honoured flavours.
Of the four, the Carrot Cake ($23.80) stood out for its generous pieces of dried shrimp and lup cheong (dried Chinese sausage). It is best savoured warm or pan-fried.
Kim Peng Hiang Pineapple Bak Kwa
While popular bak kwa chains in Chinatown are seeing growing queues, one nondescript roadside stall at Changi Road has captured the attention of heartlanders.
Kim Peng Hiang sells bak kwa mixed with pineapple ($48 per kg). While the taste of the fruit isn’t obvious, it adds a sweet layer that brings out the fragrance of the marinated meat. After ordering from this shop, my family hasn’t gone back to ‘regular’ bak kwa since.
Kim Peng Hiang, 465 Changi Rd
KPT Kopitiam Booth Pineapple Tarts
As the sun retires for the day, one may spot a queue at a booth in the KPT Kopitiam beside Punggol Park. Customers from around the neighbourhood usually flock here for Mdm Roseline’s popiah but, come January, orders are placed for a secret food item.
Mdm Roseline’s pineapple tarts ($25) are perfect for those who like their pastries buttery and savoury, topped with a dollop of pineapple paste that’s not too sweet.
The biscuit crust is so delightfully powdery that it easily crumbles at the slightest bump against the jar — so make sure that you transport them carefully!
KPT Kopitiam, 401 Hougang Ave 10
Yang Yang Original Kueh Lapis
Yang Yang’s Kueh Lapis comes in original flavour, prune and cranberry.
Eating Yang Yang’s Original Kueh Lapis ($52) is a delightful experience. The moist kueh yields easily to your bite, and is lightly sweet. It is neither oily nor cloying, making it easy to indulge in more slices.
Made from recipes passed down for more than 50 years, Yang Yang’s collection of cookies and kueh lapis bears unmistakably homemade flavours. The health-conscious will also be happy to know that all their products are made with natural ingredients, without any preservatives.
By Samantha Francis & Pamela Chow
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