RED HOUSE BAKERY
The Red House Bakery across the road of the Former Joo Chiat Police Station was once a popular bakery known for its swiss rolls and curry puff. The bakery was established in 1925 and was the first bakery in Singapore to bake a 3 – tier western style wedding cakes in the 1920s. The bakery established a system based on trust where customer could eat inside the bakery then proceed to make payment at the cashier. It was closed on 23 March 2003 after the shophouse was deemed unsafe by the local authorities.
NONYA LAKSA STALLS ALONG EAST COAST ROAD
Nonya Laksa, a dish of noodles in spicy, coconut gravy with cockles and prawns is a Peranakan cuisine where Malay sauces and Chinese ingredients are mixed. We had a hard time choosing a stall to dine in as all were popular and famous for their laksa. Nonetheless, we settled for 328 Laksa stall upon seeing the numerous Taiwanese and Chinese celebrities photos who have given their share of positive comments pasted on the wall.
Chin Mee Chin Confectionary
204 East Coast Rd
Chin Mee Chin (CMC) Confectionery has been around in Katong since the 1950s. It is famous for the traditional Singaporean breakfast of kaya toast, soft boiled eggs and coffee (or tea). The kopitiam is oozing with simple, rustic charm: old-school marble top tables, repetitive mosaic-tiled flooring and ceiling fans in place of air-conditioning. In addition, they roast their own coffee beans, produce their own fresh kaya and bake their own buns. CMC also sells pastries like egg tarts and custard buns. The confectionery is definitely a stand-out amongst the many commercialised. mass-production eateries of today, that seek quantity over quality.
Though we had managed to have a good look (and sniff) around the kopitiam, we didn't manage to have a taste of the widely-raved goodies that CMC serves, due to them being closed for the day - a huge regret on our parts indeed.
