Hubby and I had just finished lunch at Bored Tacos and were on our way to Lexus Durian to grab some durians when I spotted Thiam Yian Confectionery. An old school bakery? I’m always going in — no question about it.
I’ve always had a soft spot for bakeries like this. They bring back childhood memories. Butter cream cakes, Swiss rolls, custard and cream puffs, Chinese pastries — nothing fancy like what today’s bakeries offer, but the classic confectioneries and bakes I grew up eating.
Here’s What I Bought at Thiam Yian Confectionery
Butter Cream Vanilla & Choco Cakes $6.50
Butter cream is of course heavier than fresh cream — but their butter cream is really nice. Lovely buttery fragrance without being too overwhelming. The cake itself is soft and moist too. The chocolate one is actually quite chocolatey in flavour, which surprised me. I’m normally not a big fan of butter cakes, but this one was done perfectly.
Traditional Cupcakes $4
These are probably the OG form of cupcakes — also known as Butterfly Cupcakes because of the way the tops are cut and placed to look like butterfly wings. The last time I had these was from Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry, and since they closed down, I haven’t seen them anywhere. Same delicious butter cream inside, and they don’t need refrigeration either. The cake itself is light, buttery, and soft.
Pandan Cream Bread $3.30
I’ve been looking for this for quite some time. My Dad and I used to eat this when I was little, and both of us would finish the whole loaf in one sitting.
Hubby said it’s similar to the current-day style with cream on top, but that’s not what I was after — I wanted exactly this format, the same one I grew up with. There’s also a version with chocolate rice inside. Soft bread, cream filling — something so simple but so full of nostalgia.
Lao Ma Gao $2.80
This one had sesame seeds on top, which was a nice touch. It’s quite sweet, but hubby picked this one because he likes it. Soft and sticky, almost like mochi in texture.
Is Thiam Yian Confectionery Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. If you miss classic traditional bakes, this place is worth every visit. And if you’ve never had these kinds of bakes before — come and discover something new. These are the confectioneries that built so many of our childhood food memories, and places like Thiam Yian are keeping that tradition alive. 🙂