On the outside, Singapore may be all about glitz, glamour or fine dining.
Take some time and scratch beyond that faux facade.
You will be surprised to discover old school places beautifully preserved like Chin Mee Chin Confectionery, this Hainanese stalwart in the heart of Katong.
One Saturday morning, we dropped by here for breakfast.
Started in 1925, this bakery-cum-cafe was packed with people jostling for a space at the few marble topped tables. Usually Sundays is even more packed since it is right next to a church.
Customers would walk in and pick up cream cornets, tarts, cream puffs, plain butter cupcakes and hot cross buns (it was the day just before Easter Sunday) from trays.
Space is scarce here so sharing the table with strangers is de rigueur.
Once we get our table, they take our orders.
We enjoy bread rolls lightly toasted on a charcoal stove that are slathered with creamy kaya and a thick slice of butter.
You can also ask for soft boiled eggs to dip the bread.
The corner shop has an open concept that lets you spy on what they are tinkering with in the kitchen or when the bakes come out fresh from the oven.
Even though its acronym CMC sounds like a mix of C&C Factory, the place is all about old school cool. Expect to tap your feet on an iconic green and white mosaic floor, plant your fanny on smooth wooden chairs and of course, dine off the marble topped tables. Unlike the ones we get in Malaysia, these tables have curved legs.
Drop by for a slice of nostalgia and maybe the best kaya and butter buns in Singapore to be washed down with a cup of rich aromatic coffee.
Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
204, East Coast Road
Katong
Singapore
Tel:02-63450419
(Open from 7.30am to 4.30pm. Closed on Monday. For more pictures, see the Flickr set.)
*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here is entirely based on my personal tastebuds and may vary for others. This review is time sensitive; changes may occur to the place later on that can affect this opinion. The reviewer also declares that she has not received any monetary or non-monetary compensation from this place for writing the review.
12 comments:
I worked in Singapore quite a few years, but most of the time I just ate around Orchard Road, what a shame! :P
Next time must go and hunt the food outside Orchard. :D
ckiong - Ask Keropokman to take you to explore. Next up will be those cafes that now revive Tiong Bahru.
My last trip to Spore was fun. A mix of Orchard, Marina Bay Sands and old school nostalgia.
i miss kaya. the homemade ones. :(
Love the original old floor tiles.
Thanks Boo for this one. Timely for me.
Though I doubt I can find my way there unassisted.
How odd! I don't see Singapore as glam at all. It's just like KL in that you have lots of choice - but with cleaner pavements :-)
These cakes look yummy. We should meet soon, yah?
Love those cool vintage floor tiles... Ah, the nostalgia... :)
I'd always love simple bfast such as kaya butter toast...with 2 half boiled eggs...that makes my perfect day!;D
Drop by for a slice of nostalgia and maybe the best kaya and butter buns in Singapore to be washed down with a cup of rich aromatic coffee.
Nice, i buy it from Feliks Bakery http://www.feliksa-konditoreja.com
Bakery link here: www.feliksa-konditoreja.com
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