Classic CNY bakery favourites
Bengawan Solo (Kueh Lapis)
A well-known bakery counter specialising in kueh lapis and traditional Peranakan cakes, perfect for takeaway gifts and t...
CNY Goodies Guide: Where to Buy Pineapple Tarts and Love Letters
A Singapore-focused CNY goodies guide to where to buy (and how to choose) pineapple tarts and love letters across bakeries, hawker stalls and neighbourhoods like Tiong Bahru, Orchard and Katong.
Pineapple tarts are our modern mandarins — small, sweet symbols of good fortune passed between neighbours.
Love letters are simple but labour-intensive; seeing them made to order is half the fun.
Why CNY Goodies Matter in Singapore
Chinese New Year goodies are more than snacks — they’re gifts, traditions and a marker of the season in Singapore. From office reunion dinners to neighbourhood open houses, pineapple tarts and love letters (kueh kapit) are staples on every CNY table because they symbolise prosperity (pineapple) and well-wishes.
Bakeries, kopitiams and pasar malam stalls begin gearing up weeks in advance; popular bakers sell out, queues form at suburban bakeries, and neighbours swap tins as gifts. Knowing where to buy and when to preorder saves disappointment.
- Pineapple = 'ong lai' (prosperity) in Hokkien — hence the year-round love for tarts.
- Love letters (kueh kapit) are thin, crisp wafer rolls traditionally cooked on moulds over charcoal or gas.
- Demand peaks in the two weeks before Chinese New Year; pre-order early if you need large tins.
Where to Buy the Best Pineapple Tarts in Singapore
You’ll find pineapple tarts across neighbourhood bakeries (Orchard, Tiong Bahru, Katong) and at heritage names in the CBD and heartlands. For a classic, shelf-stable tart for gifting, head to established bakery chains that produce consistent batches — they’re often available in large tins for family visiting.
If you prefer artisanal versions — thicker jam, less sugar, crumbly pastry — check independent bakeries and boutique patisseries in Tiong Bahru, Joo Chiat and the CBD. Many list CNY boxes online and offer delivery to HDB addresses.
- Order window: most bakeries open CNY pre-orders 2–4 weeks before the festival.
- Top neighbourhood picks: longstanding chains for gifts; boutique bakers for texture and flavour.
- Packing tip: tins are better for travel and gifting; paper boxes are fine for same-day consumption.
Love Letters (Kueh Kapit): Where to Find Crispy Classics
Love letters are traditionally sold by street vendors and hawkers, but modern bakeries and craft-kueh makers now produce them too. Look for vendors who still cook on moulds in front of customers — that live cooking gives a fresher, wafer-thin result.
You can also find flavoured variants — pandan, cocoa, sesame and even chocolate-dipped versions in boutique stores and festive markets across Orchard Road and East Coast pop-ups.
- Street vs bakery: street-made love letters are crispest; bakery-made are more uniform and gift-ready.
- Flavours: pandan for local nostalgia, chocolate-dipped for sharing with kids or younger guests.
- Shelf-life: typically 2–3 weeks if stored in airtight tins, longer if vacuum-sealed.
Practical Tips: Pre-orders, Shelf Life and Makan Trails
If you’re buying for visiting relatives or corporate gifting, preorder early — especially for customised tins, branded boxes or large quantities. Many bakeries require a deposit and have pick-up windows in the final week before CNY.
Combine stops into a short makan trail: pick up pineapple tarts at a well-known bakery in the morning, visit a market for fresh produce, then swing by a hawker centre for lunch before collecting love letters from a vendor in the afternoon.
- Timing: bakeries are busiest late morning and just after work hours; avoid peak pickup slots on the weekend.
- Storage: keep tarts in a cool, dry place; use silica packets in tins if humidity is high.
- Gifting tip: include a handwritten note and a small packet of tea to balance the sweetness.
