Now that Tiong Bahru Bakery has taken over Eng Hoon Street, Raffles City, and Tangs Orchard six years after its launch, the Spa Esprit Group venture specializing in French pastries and artisanal breads has set its sights on Holland Village. Planning for this new outlet has been years in the making, especially since the neighborhood is where the group’s founder, Cynthia Chua, kickstarted her business — and like her feelings of nostalgia, the space is said to be inspired by Singapore’s sweet shops of the 1930s.
Stroll past and you’ll immediately spot Tiong Bahru Bakery’s familiar sign, along with the brand’s first takeaway express lane for those in a grab-and-go mood to beat the queue. Once you step in, you’re accosted by whiffs of buttery pastries, with a specially made, antique-looking wooden cabinet that houses everything from the signature croissants (from $3.20; baked fresh every two hours on weekdays and every one hour on weekends) to the oh-so-popular kouign amann (from $3.80).
Of course, this wouldn’t be an authentic bakery without obvious efforts to tempt you, so naturally the glass cabinet is also stocked with cakes, and a marble stand on the counter displays treats like chocolate and lemon tarts ($6.50-$7.50).
Compared to the bakery’s other cafes, this one’s a lot more quirky in its decor, with a hanging retail rack showcasing merch for pastry lovers, including baguette tote bags (that have actual slots for your bread), “Save the Croissant” tees, and miniature potted plants.
As if your senses aren’t already overwhelmed, there’s also the white wall of vintage-looking tiles stamped with the logo, “Home of the Handmade Croissant”; posters by the entrance sporting phrases like “A croissant a day keeps the doctor away”; an already-busy community announcement board for residents in the vicinity; and a floor-to-ceiling feature mural by local artist Y/X based on the “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” proverb of the three wise monkeys.
And, to commemorate its Chip Bee Gardens location, the kitchen has created a Merah Saga tart ($9.50) — a crunchy sable breton crust topped with vanilla cream, currants, raspberries, raspberry confit dots, and gold leaf flakes — available till the end of July.
FIND IT:
Tiong Bahru Bakery is at #01-74, 43 Jalan Merah Saga.
6877-4868. Daily 8am-8pm.
MRT: Holland Village
Reader Interactions