Traditional snacks are making a comeback. Not only are they taking over your Instagram feeds, these trends are also led by Gen Xers who’ve started their own businesses.
We found a few Gen Xers who are leading this food wave, so you can look at the mouth-watering pictures and be swept up along for the ride. Perhaps you’ll even be inspired to try a few of them!
1. House of Kueh: Teochew Soon Kueh
House of Kueh started their business in the midst of circuit breaker last year, boasting ultra-thin skins for their soon kueh. Soon kueh is a traditional Teochew dish that is literally translated to ‘bamboo shoot cake’.
Angeline Teoh, 52, and Alvin Koh, 57, were hawkers that sold Penang prawn mee and laksa – soon kueh were their Friday specials but they have since started selling it daily. Well, that means more soon kueh to go around for those who love them!
Besides the classic flavour, they also have a spinach and kimchi version. They’re sold in sets:
We recommend the spinach soon kueh that is filled with the crunch of thinly sliced black fungus, juicy bamboo shoots and flavourful minced pork. Better yet, get the mixed set to taste the best of both worlds!
How to order: Their order form here
Where to find them: Da Shan Jiao, ICON@IBP, 3A International Business Park, #01-06 Jurong West, Singapore 609935 (map), but delivery or pre-orders preferred (self-collection timing for pre-orders is 11am – 1.30pm)
Contact: 81199538 (WhatsApp)
For more information, you can check them out on Facebook or Instagram.
2. Bakers Lab: Kueh Salat Cake and Scones
Joanne Tan, 40, began selling and running her own creations from home amidst circuit breaker last year on Bakers Lab. You wouldn’t think that nyonya kueh and English breakfast scones go well together, but the single mom says it doubles her efficiency: she bakes while steaming the cake!
The capable Joanne runs the show with the help of her two sons who are her first taste-testers. She bakes, photographs, and even manages the social media page – all on her own. Her buttery scones come in three different flavours (classic, cranberry, chocolate chip) which you can order in boxes of nine scones per flavour. Her scones are known for being buttery and dense. Perhaps you would like to try it with a slice of kueh salat?
How to order: Send a direct message to their Instagram page
Self-collection: Collect your order at Pasir Ris at no extra charge; island-wide delivery can also be arranged for $10
Contact: @bakers_lab20 on Instagram
For more information, you can check them out on Instagram.
3. Kueh Ho Jiak: Handmade Nyonya Kueh
Sandy Tan, 56, and her daughter Elizabeth Chan, 32, run Kueh Ho Jiak together and it has been going strong for many years – they’ve even gained recognition as a heritage hawker by UNESCO a few years back. They specialise in traditional ang ku kueh, translated as ‘red tortoise cake’ in Hokkien.
Each nyonya kueh is hand-crafted and freshly made every day with natural ingredients. Their kueh stand out on Instagram with their signature bright palette consisting of a mixture of purple, orange and green. As ang ku kueh skins are traditionally made of glutinous rice flour, they use five different varieties of sweet potatoes for the vibrant colours: Japanese sweet potatoes, purple sweet potatoes, jewel sweet potatoes, Hannah sweet potatoes, and garnet sweet potatoes.
They also use adorable and uncommon mold designs like teddy bears, koi fish, and flowers. Look at these cute creations!
Bestsellers include their savoury kueh platters and their durian ang ku kueh. They also sell bento and over 10 types of local snacks, such as pumpkin yam cakes, glutinous rice, curry puffs, and ubi kayu (steamed tapioca cakes with grated coconut).
How to order: Order online from their website or visit their store
Where to find them: 6 Tanjong Pagar Plaza Market #02-20, Singapore 081006 (map), open from 7am – 2pm (closed on Thursdays)
Contact: Facebook message them at @kuehhojiak.handmade or Whatsapp 87509271 to pre-order or buy directly
*Note that while their Tanjong Pagar stall is open, the one at Chinatown is closed till further notice.
For more information, you can check them out on Facebook or Instagram.
4. Hainan Xiaochi (All Things Hainanese): Authentic Hainanese Food
Run by Goh See Mui and her daughters, their Toa Payoh Hainan Xiaochi stall has been in business for more than 40 years selling handmade Hainanese snacks. The business was passed down from Goh’s mum, Mdm Yeoh Min Lin, who single-handedly raised Goh and her four siblings while making a living from Hainan Xiaochi after Mdm Yeoh’s husband passed away from cancer.
The food is vegetarian-friendly, and is one of the few stalls in Singapore where you can still get authentic Hainanese cuisine. Her 28-year-old daughter Jocelyn Loi manages the All Things Hainanese social media platforms in her free time to share facts about Hainanese culture and the history behind Hainanese delicacies.
One must-try is their signature yi bua, a mochi-like, chewy glutinous rice flour ball wrapped in banana leaf. The inside filling is an incredible explosion that combines the flavours of shredded coconut, ground peanut, gula melaka, sesame seeds, ginger, and dried persimmon. Their kaya, which is a rich coconut jam, is also handmade!
Their Instagram page looks incredibly aesthetic and modern – we didn’t expect traditional food to be elevated to this quality! They even made the yi bua part of their illustrated logo.
How to order: Their order form here or visit their store
Where to find them: Blk 22 Toa Payoh, Lor 7 #01-35 Singapore 310022 (map), open from 7am – 1pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Self-collection: Dakota MRT Exit B, 12pm
Contact: 87775418 (WhatsApp)
For more information, you can check them out on Facebook or Instagram.
5. The Chinese Potion: Traditional Chinese Tang Shui Dessert
Apple Ng, stay-at-home 44-year-old mother of two, founded The Chinese Potion in May last year selling tang shui (literally ‘sugar water’ in Mandarin) amidst Circuit Breaker. Previously a Global Tender Analyst at DHL, she gave up her job seven years ago to spend more time with her son who was then experiencing social distress at school. After her son’s condition stabilised, she thought of returning to work and was inspired to make healthy, guilt-free desserts for the modern multi-tasking women who are still in need of self-care for their complexion and beauty.
She spent about two months researching different ingredient properties online and came up with the four versions in her menu. The different bowls have various benefits, such as using candied Winter Melon which is believed to boost metabolism and reduce stress.
Each portion (serves about 2 pax, weighs 650g) contains traditional Chinese ingredients like peach gum, goji berry, and snow fungus from China. Each brew can be eaten warm or cold and kept up to a week in the fridge, though Apple recommends finishing it within two days. They are available thrice a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and only through advanced orders (minimum order five bowls two days in advance; delivery fee from $8).
How to order: Their order form here
Contact: 97635766
For more information, you can check them out on Facebook or Instagram.
Reimagining Traditional Snacks for the Instagram Era
These Gen Xers are certainly creative and artistic! More than being made cool, these traditional snacks now look exquisite and delicious. Perhaps you already feel inspired to order some and #supportlocal
If you’re still feeling hungry for old-school food, check out our article on 7 of the Oldest Eateries in Singapore – some of these eateries are more than a century old!
