Chinatown Tan's Tutu Coconut Cake at Bukit Panjang Plaza represents an extraordinary piece of Singapore's culinary heritage, carrying forward more than 80 years of handcrafted traditional kueh-making artistry that began when founder Tan Yong Fa migrated from Fujian Province in 1932. Located at #01-47A with operating hours from 10am to 10pm, this establishment proudly maintains the legacy of Singapore's original tutu kueh creator, who is credited with popularizing this beloved nostalgic snack during the 1930s. The business has remained family-operated for over eight decades, now run by Tan Bee Hua, daughter of the original founder, ensuring that traditional preparation methods and authentic flavors continue to be preserved through generations of dedicated craftsmanship.
The signature tutu kueh represents a unique Singapore delicacy believed to have originated from Fujian, China, but evolved into something distinctly local - cities in Malaysia like Penang and Kuala Lumpur don't sell this particular variety, making it truly special to Singapore's food culture. Each box of five freshly-steamed rice-flour cakes costs S.50 and features delicious fillings including traditional peanut and coconut options, with occasional variations like chocolate or gula melaka. The labor-intensive process remains entirely handmade, involving washing and sieving rice, cleaning pandan leaves, and cooking fillings using time-honored techniques that ensure each kueh maintains the authentic texture, flavor, and quality that has defined this heritage snack for nearly a century.
The Bukit Panjang Plaza location brings this precious culinary heritage to the western region community, making authentic traditional kueh accessible to families seeking genuine local flavors and cultural experiences. The establishment's commitment to handcrafted production from start to finish reflects a dedication to preserving Singapore's food heritage in an era of increasing commercialization and automation. As one of the few remaining traditional kueh makers maintaining authentic preparation methods, Chinatown Tan's Tutu Coconut Cake serves as both a delicious snack destination and a living piece of Singapore's cultural history, allowing modern customers to taste and appreciate the same flavors that have delighted generations of Singaporeans since the early days of the nation's culinary development.
13 August around 3.15pm
My grandma was there to purchase the kueh. Given her old age, she was unable to see the price list above due to the small print. She sought help from the staff regarding the cost. However, the staff merely raised her hand to direct her to the list above for pricing, without maintaining any eye contact or making any effort to serve.
C Boon Seng
Expensive and didn't taste anything special compared to the rest.
Pei Ni Seet
Nice, but 5 small pieces for $5?! It's too expensive.
Wee Chiang Seng
The service was slow, and the staff was unhelpful and rude. I will never go back.😡
Wai Jie Ping
This is what you get when you franchise so many outlets and hire aunties with zero quality control. The kuehs are dry and hard. There's too much kueh compared to the filling, making the whole thing overly dry. Big fail.
Toh Rui Mo
Spotted this new stall recently and decided to try their tutu kueh because of the brisk business. Price was reasonable at $1.20 each, perfect for a post-dinner treat. However, when I ordered, they informed me of a minimum 2-piece purchase which wasn't mentioned on the menu.
The good news is that they make the tutu kueh fresh, and the wait wasn't too long. Since these are best enjoyed warm, I dug right in after collecting them. The first thing I noticed was the lovely aroma of coconut shavings. Unfortunately, the texture of the skin was a bit off. It seemed undercooked and had a powdery feel, missing the chewy bite I remember from childhood tutu kueh.
Overall, it was an average experience. I might go back if I have a craving, but wouldn't make it a regular stop.
Positive Reviews
Esther Tay
$5 for 5 pieces. The taste is like any other Tutu around, not significantly different from the rest.
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Tutu Kueh
TUTU KUEH (COCONUT /PEANUT /PLAIN)
$5.00
5 pcs (椰子/花生/原味(无馅料))
TUTU KUEH (COCONUT /PEANUT /PLAIN)
$1.20 EACH (4pcs & Below)
MINIMUM 2 PCS (椰子/花生/原味(无馅料))
BOX OF 10
$10.00
(ANY CHOICE OF FLAVOURS) 一盒(任选10片) MINIMUM 10 PCS PER BOX