Tong Heng (Chinatown)

Tong Heng is a traditional Cantonese pastry shop on South Bridge Road in Chinatown. It is best known for its diamond-shaped egg tarts. The brand calls itself one of the oldest Chinese pastry shops in Singapore.

The Fong family has run the business for four generations. Founder Fong Chee Heng started out selling drinks from a street stall. The shop counts 1935 as its starting year, when the business moved into Smith Street. It later settled at its current home on South Bridge Road. Ana Fong, the founder's great-granddaughter, is the fourth generation in the business.

What to order

Start with the egg tart. The family once tried several moulds, from round to oval and triangle. They kept the diamond because it stood out and packed neatly into boxes. The crust is made with lard, which the family prefers for its aroma. The custard is made with eggs, sugar and water, with no milk. The filling leans sweet, and the top has a shiny glaze.

Other items from the shop's own range include:

• Coconut tarts: sold on their own or in mixed boxes with the egg tarts.
• Charcoal egg tarts: a newer take, paired with the shop's sea salt kaya.
• Barbecued pork crisps: flaky pastries filled with char siew.
• Traditional pastries: classic Cantonese bakes, including a version made with yolk. Articles on the shop also name wife biscuits among its classics.
• Gold coins and mini mooncakes: small bakes sold in boxes, with snowskin mooncakes in season.

Tong Heng also makes Chinese wedding pastries, including a plant-based set. Heritage cookies in tins and homemade pandan kaya make easy gifts to carry home. Wedding orders need about a week's notice.

The setting

This is a bakery shop rather than a full restaurant. Pastries are laid out in glass display cabinets. A 2018 renovation, the first big one in about 30 years, gave the shop a cleaner, modern look. It also added some upholstered seating. The pastries are still marked by hand with a Chinese pastry stamp.

Good to know before you go

• Everything is handmade each day without preservatives. Large orders at short notice may not be possible.
• Some products contain lard, and the shop warns of egg, wheat and sesame as possible allergens. Ask staff if you have dietary needs.
• The shop says its regular pastries are dairy free, though some seasonal items are not.
• You can also order from the official website for delivery within Singapore, with a few days' notice.

Getting there

Tong Heng is at 285 South Bridge Road in Chinatown. The same street is home to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Sri Mariamman Temple. That makes it easy to fit in a stop while you are sightseeing.

Nearby

Pick up a box of tarts before our Chinatown heritage walk, or add Tong Heng to our Chinatown cheap eats crawl. For more sweet stops, see our cafés and bakeries guide. You can also browse all restaurants in Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar.