13,324 views

Tong Heng Confectionery – Tasty Traditional Chinese Pastries

Rating:

By Veron Ang

The Tong Heng Confectionery has a long history dating back to 1920. This humble little shop in Chinatown is best-known for churning out popular Chinese pastries such as egg custard tarts (in a distinctive diamond shape) and wife cakes.

But did you know that the curry puffs and char siew (barbecued pork) crispy cakes here are real delights too?

My mom and I have been big fans of these handmade pastries ever since my brother started buying them about five years ago. I have a personal weakness for their curry puffs in particular.

Tong Heng Confectionery curry puffs

Curry Puff
S$1 each
Rating:

These curry puffs are somewhat roundish in shape with a glazed surface. The curry filling has the most unique taste I’ve ever had in any curry puff!

Filling inside the curry puff

It is wonderfully sweet, with a tinge of spice. People that are used to the taste and spice of traditional curry would be surprised by this sweetened version. Not everyone would like it, but I totally dig it!

The crust is rather thick and flaky though, and I would have awarded it all five drumsticks had it been thinner or lighter.

Char Siew Crispy Cake

Char Siew (Barbecued Pork) Crispy Cake
S$1 each
Rating:

My mom loves the char siew crispy cake, although I’m not exactly a fan since I generally do not like the taste of char siew.

Filling inside the char siew crispy cake

In each crispy cake, there is an ample amount of the moist char siew filling. So people that love char siew would naturally be a fan of this tasty treat.

(Note: I have indicated the price of each pastry as $1. I can’t be 100 percent sure though since it’s always my brother that buys them. If this is inaccurate, please let me know!)

Tong Heng pastry box

Like any good ol’ traditional Chinese pastries, Tong Heng serves theirs in cardboard boxes that have Chinese characters all over. After five years of eating Tong Heng pastries, the design of the box hasn’t changed once, not even when new outlets opened. I do think I have seen it in different colour variations other than red though.

Nonetheless, each time I see a box like this in our kitchen, it always means a very pleasant surprise!

Tong Heng Chinatown

285 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058833
Tel: +65 6223 3649

Tong Heng Jurong Point

Jurong Point Shopping Centre
1 Jurong West Central 2 #B1-10 JP1
Singapore 648886
Tel: +65 6794 6292

Tags: alfresco/outdoor dining, casual, Chinatown, Chinese, Jurong Point, Jurong West, pastry, snack, takeout/kiosk

Subscribe to new posts

About the Editor

Veron Ang is the Founder and Chief Editor of Sparklette, a Singapore restaurants guide, lifestyle and travel blog. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and runs a web design firm at Sparklette Studio. To get in touch, head on over to the contact page or follow @Sparklette and @VeronSG on Twitter.

Old Town White Coffee – Ipoh’s Finest Coffee in Singapore

Memebon, the Cutest Japanese Baby Kitten

Comment using Facebook

Responses Leave a comment

py
183 comments

One of my friends got me egg tarts from Tong Heng, and I was told that Tong Heng is famous for the pastry. One could go to Tong Heng, buy and eat the pastry on the spot. :)
Reply
Posted May 27, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Ohkulala
1 comment

uuuu, yummy yuummy!
Reply
Posted May 28, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Komodo Dragon
4 comments

Yes that looks very delicious! I love pastry :)
Reply
Posted May 28, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Nicholas
51 comments

I’ve never been a big fan of pastries. Not sure why. I used to have my office in Temple Street. Strangely, I never been to nor heard of Tong Heng. Duh…
I’m a big fan pf curry puffs though. These look really appetising… I’m stuck in Hanoi now else I would go grab some… Wana send some over to me? Pretty please?
Reply
Posted May 28, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Veron
3438 comments

py: There is a small sheltered area with tables and chairs outside the shop. That’s where patrons would sit to enjoy their freshly made pastries!
Nicholas: I doubt the curry puffs would taste good after the long distance trip! The shop is a rather small and nondescript one. I’m not surprised that you haven’t seen it before.
Reply
Posted May 28, 2008 at 10:09 pm
- Kyo
  54 comments
  
  Actually I think the price has gone up, possibly $1.10, iirc – last went there a few months back… will try to swing by again soon.
  The egg tarts are great – but are very fragile and easily smashed. Definite must-try, though.
  Nicholas, I’m going to Hanoi mid-Sept. and Tong Heng is two streets from my office… hehehe, all forms of bribery acceptable! :p
  j/k, but if you’re really desperate for some, I’ll see what I can do..
  Reply
  Posted August 25, 2009 at 12:00 am
  - Veron
    3438 comments
    
    Oh the prices have gone up? I need to pay better attention the next time I’m there! I bought the egg tarts recently at $1.30 each.
    Reply
    Posted August 25, 2009 at 12:24 am
    - Kyo
      54 comments
      
      Boy, I just realised this isn’t a new topic altogether but I was subscribed to this thread since last year. Someone must’ve done some topic-resurrecting!
      Reply
      Posted August 25, 2009 at 12:37 am
      - Veron
        3438 comments
        
        lol! The food remains current though. But Nicholas may not be in Hanoi anymore. You can still send some of these yummy munchies to me!
        Reply
        Posted August 25, 2009 at 12:42 am
vinsion
14 comments

it looks really nice.
im drooling already.
Reply
Posted May 28, 2008 at 10:44 pm
alldoneup
24 comments

They look delicious…especially the flaky crust! YUMMMM
Reply
Posted May 29, 2008 at 8:17 am
ivy
1 comment

hi i just chanced upon ur blog while googling for the best buffet in sg. haha. ur blog is so pretty! :) n to top it up, i happen to be an avid food blog reader. anw my sentiments exactly about wat u described of the tong heng curry puff. n i prefer flaky crust puffs so i’ll give it 5 drumsticks. haha. i totally dig their egg tarts too! droolz…
Reply
Posted May 30, 2008 at 1:25 am
Selenium
2 comments

O yes, I just tried the egg tart yesterday…someone bought it to the office and though it has been left cold for a few hours there on the table, but one bite told me it’s the best egg tart I’ve ever tried….
Reply
Posted October 2, 2008 at 9:20 am
Veron
3438 comments

I have yet to sample the egg tarts. “Best egg tart ever”? I’d say that’s a good reason for me to try it for myself!
Reply
Posted October 2, 2008 at 10:04 am
Dee Yeo
1 comment

I love Tong Heng Egg Tarts too.. And yes, to me their egg tarts are the best! Flaky crust and sweet, soft egg custard.. Yum..
You can Tong Heng at Jurong Point basement 1 as well.
Reply
Posted June 14, 2009 at 11:48 pm
wcrc
2 comments

Yup, their pastries are good, but their egg tarts is my favourite. Have been eating them for more than 2 decades. It’s best to eat it freshly bake though because the crust will becomes soft but the egg filling is simply amazing unlike other egg custard tarts.
Reply
Posted July 27, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Veron
3438 comments

The love for Tong Heng egg tarts sure is unanimous! I feel like a sua ku for not having eaten it before!
Reply
Posted July 28, 2009 at 12:15 am
- wcrc
  2 comments
  
  Why still hesitate then?
  Reply
  Posted August 1, 2009 at 1:33 am
vietfoodrecipes
2 comments

I love the BBQ pork cakes. Tasty!
Reply
Posted February 19, 2011 at 7:53 am