Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah – The Original Balestier Tau Sar Piah
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Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah – The Original Balestier Tau Sar Piah

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They say imitation is a sign of flattery. You know you are successful when other people start emulating your idea. Just look at how the Ya Kun success story spawned numerous other air-conditioned shops also selling kopi and toast not only in Singapore but in Malaysia, too!

It’s the same thing for tau sar piah. Along Balestier Road, you would find a whole stretch of dated shops all specialising in this flaky pastry with bean paste filling; I count at least five of them! Reminds me of the Selegie tau huay sibling rivalry! So which is the original?

Let’s go back in history to 1948, the year when the Hainan-born Mr. Li Fanlong established Loong Fatt at the present Balestier site. His cake business thrived initially, but sales dwindled towards the early 70s. To improve sales, he tried blending butter cakes with Teochew tau sar piah. So in 1972, the tau sar piah as we know it today was invented.

Even with the fierce competition at Balestier, many people still swear by Loong Fatt for the best tau sar piah in Singapore. Well, nothing beats the original!

Tau Sar Piah

Tau Sar Piah (sweet or salty)
$0.70 each

Two flavors are available — sweet or salty. The sweet tau sar piah is marked by the sprinkling of sesame seeds on its crust. You may also notice that the shape is atypical; it’s flatter than the usual ones.

When you sink your teeth into a Loong Fatt tau sar piah, you may be surprised by how soft and light the crusty skin is. Due to the use of butter, it boasts a smoother texture that is less dry than that of the competitors.

Tau Sar Piah

Then, there is the lovely bean paste filling. The sweetness and softness of it automatically puts you in a good mood :)

Between the two flavors, it’s a hard pick to choose between the two. Both are equally tasty! For me, I slant towards the salty version, which still maintains a touch of sweetness. The combination of both sweet and salty flavors is really enticing and keeps me craving for more! My Mom, on the other hand, prefers the sweet version as she has a sweet tooth!

Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah

I would recommend buying a big box of this tau sar piah for sharing with the whole family at breakfast or for pleasing the mother in law!

Loong Fatt Tau Sar PiahPhoto by hyacinthus

The original Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah is located at the extreme right end of Balestier Road by the junction of Thomson Road. It seems that the shops here like to use their 3-digit unit number for identification. Loong Fatt is 639, while the tau sar piah neighbors are 529, 603, 631, etc!

At the shop, you can see the bakers in action at the kitchen where new batches are freshly baked daily. Drinks are also sold here so you can sit down to enjoy your pastry with a cup of Kopi.

Oh, they have other delights like egg tarts and cream puffs, too.

Best eaten warm from the oven!

Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah
639 Balestier Road
Singapore 329922
(65) 6253 4584

Bus services: 5, 21, 54, 56, 57, 130, 131, 139, 143, 145, 162, 166, 167, 851, 980, NR1, 162M
Nearest MRT: Novena

Opening hours: 8am – 4:30pm (Closed on Sundays)




About the Author
Veron Ang

Veron Ang is the founder and chief editor of Sparklette. She lives in Singapore and has dined and traveled across the world. She also runs Sparklette Studio, a and firm. If you'd like to connect with her, head on over to the contact page or follow her personal updates on Twitter: @VeronSG.


Comments 17 responses Leave your comment Leave your comment

  1. LeonTwitter
    August 20, 2009
     

    I’ve eaten at all the Tau Sar Piah along Balestier Road and my favorite is 603. I do like Loong Fatt (and House of…) but will make sure to buy one at 603 Balestier.

    Reply

    • VeronTwitter
      August 21, 2009
       

  2. Diana
    August 21, 2009
     

    price increase again?! So far, this is really the best tau sar piah I’ve ever tasted.

    Reply

    • VeronTwitter
      August 21, 2009
       

  3. proud mom to maximusTwitter
    August 22, 2009
     

    i always drive past this tar sau piah shop everyday to work to ttsh…
    the downside is to find a good parking coz its always jam packed during peak hours…

    Reply

    • VeronTwitter
      August 23, 2009
       

  4. Charlie
    August 27, 2009
     

    Hi all
    I’ve heard of the shop’s famous tau sar piah and there are reviews tt say their pastries are very oily. Wonder if they indeed are? I’m pretty much very health conscious. > <
    Thanks in advance for any response given.

    Reply

    • VeronTwitter
      August 27, 2009
       

    • LeonTwitter
      August 28, 2009
       

      I would say definitively that these are very rich are a treat in my eyes. The butter content is very high and that makes them flakey and delicious, but high in fat content.

      Reply

  5. Melissa
    September 3, 2009
     

    Aren’t we a nation of emulators? Other than the Balestier tau sar piah and Ya Kun coffee which you have already mentioned, there are also copycats of Breadtalk, bubble tea shops, doughnut shops and many many more.

    Reply

    • VeronTwitter
      September 4, 2009
       

  6. Candy
    September 19, 2009
     

    Do Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah sell fresh eggs tarts?

    Reply

  7. Wong
    September 19, 2009
     

    Wat other cookies they sells for all occasions?

    Reply

  8. Lil
    October 13, 2009
     

    You people must try the tau sar piah at HOUSE OF TAU SAR PIAH at 529 Balestier Road They have 12 flavors to choose and the most important of all – they are vegetarian and they are crispy and tasty NOT OILY. I personally like the Salty flavor, Coffee, the new Black sesame. Prices range from 50cents to 70cents.

    Reply

    • VeronTwitter
      October 13, 2009
       

  9. Cobalt Paladin
    October 27, 2009
     

    Oh yes, I love Love Fatt tau sar piah. I used to finish 6 to 10 of them in one go… :p

    Sinful but heavenly!

    Reply

    • VeronTwitter
      October 28, 2009
       
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