Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring at Onan Road is constantly very busy, with 4-5 ‘makcik’ dressed in ebony white, making putu piring in quick precision and systematic rhythm.
The stall continues to be in the lime-light.
It was listed in the Singapore Michelin Guide with a “Michelin Plate. Most recently, the stall owned by Ms Aisha Hashim and her family, is featured in Netflix’s new series “Street Food” – produced from the creators of Chef’s Table.
Other Singapore representations in the show include Wonton Noodles by the late “Master Tang”, Chilli Crab from Keng Eng Kee Seafood, and Chicken Rice from Niven Long’s Sin Kee Chicken Rice.
(Click PLAY for video highlights of Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring)
These Malay desserts look like the Chinese kueh tutu, but the origins are said to be from India.
The stalls continue to use the traditional method of making Putu Piring using the same recipe as when it was founded.
Owner Mohamad Hashim first learnt how to make the putu piring from his grandmother, and had continues to do so for 20 years.
Since its founding, the franchise has grown to 4 branches including the original at the Haig Road Hawker Centre. His daughter and son-in-law continue to manage the stalls.
Among the different branches, the stall at Mr Teh Tarik (Ang Mo Kio) and Alwadi Coffeeshop (Onan Road branches) also sell rojak.
Different outlets have different opening and closing hours so it is recommended to check before heading down to avoid disappointment.
The Putu Piring goes at $2.50 per pack of 5, while other flavours of Chocolate, Coconut and Durian goes for $3.00 per pack of 3.
The stall also sells some Malay traditional desserts also available including pineapple tarts ($22), peanut makmur ($22) and lapis prune ($50 for large, $15 for small).
They are made on the spot to order so once can be assured that they will always be piping hot.
The round cakes were made of ground rice flour, filled with gula Melaka (palm sugar) in the centre, covered with another layer of rice flour and then steamed in metal conical moulds for about 5 minutes.
While the steaming process already looked tedious, it was the preparation process which required a lot of effort.
The rice flour had to be sieved, steamed and dried repeatedly over two days.
The Putu Piring were presented with freshly grated coconut tinged with some salt on the side.
Best to be eaten hot. When you bite into one, the brown Gula Melaka which had melted during the steam process would ooze out.
The restaurant uses the highest quality of Gula Melaka and is very generous with the filling.
At the end of the day, the secrets to a tasty Putu Piring are effort, and good simple ingredients.
Haig Road Putu Piring
Haig Road Food Center Blk 14, #01-07 Singapore 430014
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)
Alwadi Coffeeshop – Onan Road
Tristar Complex (Beside Hotel 81-Tristar & Cheers)
970 Geylang Rd (parking @ Onan Rd), #01-02 Singapore 423492
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 12:00am
Mr Teh Tarik Coffeeshop
Blk 1 Geylang Serai Market #01-210
Singapore 402001
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Mr Teh Tarik – Ang Mo Kio (Beside Broadway Plaza)
Blk 728, Ang Mo Kio Ave 6, Ang Mo Kio Central 2, #01-4200 Singapore 560728
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 11:00pm
East Village Mall
#01-14, 430 Upper Changi Road Singapore 487048
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Sun – Thurs), 11am – 10pm (Fri – Sat)
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