Will you wait for half an hour for tutu kuehs? Apparently lots of people are more than willing to wait for Mr Ho’s Tutu Kueh at Bendemeer Shopping Mall. Mr Ho’s standard greeting in Mandarin seems to be “-要等啊; 最少 30 分钟” (have to wait; at least 30 minutes).
Bendemeer Shopping Mall
We were recommended to try out Mr Ho’s Tutu Kueh at Bendemeer Shopping Mall. The name of the mall was not one we were were familiar with. We were expecting a small building like the Queensway Shopping Centre or Katong Shopping Centre.
Bendemeer Shopping Mall (also sometimes referred to as Bendemeer Shopping Centre or as Bendemeer Mall) is located between Serangoon Road and Bendemeer Road and linked to the Boon Keng MRT Station. The shopping mall is really a covered pedestrian mall between the two rows of HDB shops of Block 25 and Block 27 Bendemeer Road. It is just next to the Bendemeer Market and Food Centre at Block 29.
The shops at Bendemeer Shopping Mall offer a wide range of goods and services. There are mini-marts, hairdressers and a bank. Many eateries, including outlets of familiar F&B brands such as Subway, LiHo, Old Rochor Beancurd and Bangawan Solo, are tenants in the mall.
Tutu Papa at Bendemeer
Mr Ho’s Tutu Kueh operates from a stall in 長城美華 Chang Cheng Mee Wah Coffeeshop in Bendemeer Shopping Mall. It is the No 7 stall, which also sells goreng pisang and snacks like dough fritters and tapioca kuehs.
Mr. Ho Mu Ren has been selling tutu kueh for about 50 years. He is a one man operation at the Bendemeer stall (although we were informed that one of his nieces had recently helped him with setting up an online presence – with the Tutu Papa brand – and a system for taking orders online).
Tutu Papa’s kueh costs 70 cents per piece. A box of 5 pieces will cost $3.
Mr Ho’s Tutu Kueh
We turned up at Mr Ho’s stall and was given his standard greeting in Mandarin about having to wait – “-要等啊; 最少 30 分钟” . We are not sure if it is a good marketing tactic or not. Many would be customers may walk away to buy something else. On the other hand, it may increase demand because of the scarcity effect. It seems there are many who will be happy to wait at least 30 minutes for Mr Ho’s Tutu Kueh.
We placed an order for a box of 5 tutu kuehs ($3) and went for coffee.
The 5 small hot steamed cakes made of finely pounded rice flour were given to us in a plain white Styrofoam box. Mr Ho would make holes at the corners of the box (to prevent the tutu kuehs from becoming soggy). Our kuehs tutu had grated coconut filling. Peanut filling would be another option.
The hot tutu kuehs of Mr Ho had a nice fragrance, from the rice flour as well as the squares of pandan leaves that the kuehs tutu sat on. The white rice cake was quite dense. The top was denser than the bottom. We liked the lighter fluffier bottom better. The top could get a bit doughy and chewy when the kueh tutu has cooled down. So make a note to eat Mr Ho’s tutu kueh as soon as possible after it is steamed.
The filling of gula melaka and grated coconut was generous and delicious. The moistness, texture, sweetness and flavour were all on point. Overall, the tutu kuehs were enjoyable when consumed hot.
Delectable heritage kueh tutu
We have not tried too many tutu kuehs and we will say that we still prefer the putu pirings from Haig Road. However, we must say that the kueh tutu of Tutu Papa is worth a try. The 30 minute wait might put some people off. However, when you consider that Mr Ho can only steam six tutu kuehs at a time, and the dedication he invests in the making of each of the delicate heritage cakes, half an hour is not too long a wait to enjoy a freshly made delectable traditional snack and have a real cultural experience at the same time. The tutu kuehs are simple steamed cakes made passionately by experienced hands using the same recipe from more than half a century ago. No fanciful shapes or colours for Instagram; no exotic fusion fillings – just good old fashioned kueh tutu that has been part of the disappearing old Singapore rich culinary culture.
Old Mr Ho’s Tutu Kueh at Bendemeer Shopping Mall may well be one of those heritage flavours that are truly keeping the real Singapore hawker culture alive.
Tutu Papa – Mr Ho’s Tutu Kueh
27 Bendemeer Road, #01-659, Stall 7, Bendemeer Shopping Mall
Singapore 330027
Opening hours:
Mon – Fri: 2pm – 7pm
Sat: 9am – 4pm
Closed on Sunday
Nearby MRT Station: Boon Keng
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