 Tai Thong Cake Shop
大同饼家
 Tai Thong Cake Shop, 大同饼家, is a Cantonese Pastry Shop offering a wide range of freshly baked Chinese Pastries.
Founded in 1950 by a Cantonese pastry Chef, it was initially located at 43 Mosque Street in Singapore Chinatown. Mosque Street is across the road from the Majestic Theatre.
“大同”, Tai Thong is a reference to an idealized world of peace, prosperity and an egalitarian society. The ideals embodied in their name parallels the ways in which social aspirations are embedded into festive foods.
Pasteries and traditions
Perhaps not coincidental, Tai Thong Cake Shop is famous for their traditional Cantonese Moon cakes, wedding cakes and Chinese New Year pastries.
 Many Cantonese families will remember Tai Thong’s range of wedding pastries known as 嫁女饼 literally translated as “pastries for daughter’s wedding”.
A bride’s family will present these wedding pastries to relatives and friends before their daughter’s wedding. The most ornate of these is the Dragon Phoenix Pastry, 龙凤饼.
During the Mid Autumn Festival, almost all Chinese Singaporeans will recall seeing a box of Tai Thong moon cake, 大同月饼, or at least their very famous brown paper bag printed with the Chinese character Tai Thong Cake Shop in red calligraphy. Tai Thong moon cakes are considered as one of the top choices for use as gifts during the Mid Autumn Festival.
Similar, during Chinese New Year, many loyal customers will journey to the shop to buy Tai Thong’s range of Chinese New Year cakes and pastries.
Cultural transmission
Similar to other businesses and social institutes, Tai Thong faces change. Its management has passed to the 2nd generation and in 2002, Tai Thong relocated to a new location at 35 Mosque Street, a few doors away from their original shop.
On the other hand, some things remain unchanged. Tai Thong’s pastries continued to be produced in their own shop. Also unchanged is the management’s passion and commitment for high quality products. They only use the best ingredient for their pastries.
More than half a century later, Tai Thong continues to be very popular and have developed a strong loyal customer base. Meanwhile, many English educated Singaporeans have begun exploring and reclaiming their cultural heritage. To this group of people, Tai Thong Cake shop has acquired a legendary status.
The next time you are in Singapore Chinatown or when you need Chinese pastries for festivals or office parties, visit Tai Thong Cake Shop and experience a piece of heritage.
 Tai Thong Cake Shop, 大同饼家
Address: No 35, Mosque Street, Singapore
Tel: 6223 2905 |
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