If you frequent the Balestier area in Singapore, you would be aware that other than the many lighting shops in the area, there are two Tau Sar Piah shops along that stretch – Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah and 603 Tau Sar Piah.
Having tasted the Loong Fat Tau Ear Piah before, I was more than eager to make my purchase. A total of 15 salted tau sar piah pastries at a shot! As I walked down to the shop, at the end of a row shophouses, the aroma of the heavily buttered pastries was evident. The queue was short, perhaps because I went after the lunch crowd had subsided.
603 Tau Sar Piah, on the other hand, was new to me. However, as it was equally affordable as the Loong Fast Tau Sar Piah, I decided to buy two salted tau tar piahs for a taste test.
Size and density
About the same size, but 603’s Tau Sar Piah is slightly (only marginally) bigger. Loong Fatt’s Tau Sar Piah is less dense compared to 603’s.
Colour (Toastiness)
Loong Fatt’s colour is less brown as compared to 603’s. Perhaps due to how dense 603’s is, it probably had to be toasted longer to ensure that the pastry is well-cooked.
Pastry
Loong Fatt’s is very buttery, flakey and soft. On the other hand, 603’s is on the sturdier side and has fewer layers — more of a pineapple tart outer layer than a pastry.
Filling
Loong Fatt’s salty tau sar piah was definitely on the sweet side. In fact, when I had the pastry the first few times, I often questioned whether the staff had given me the sweet pastry instead of the salty one. 603’s salty tau sar piah was less sweet, and had a similar filling to that of Penang’s famous tau sar piah.
Verdict
For someone who loves sweet, flakey and buttery pastries, my choice would be Loong Fatt’s Salty Tau Sar Piah. However, if you enjoy the Penang tau sar piah, 603’s Salty Tau Sar Piah is definitely for you as it has a strong resemblance to it!
If you’re keen on trying out the pastries, try visiting their stores at:
Loong Fatt 龍發豆沙餅
639 Balestier Rd, Singapore 329922
Opens 8.00am — 4.30pm (Closed on Sundays)
603 Tau Sar Piah
603 Balestier Rd, Singapore 329904
Opens 8.00am — 6.30pm (Daily)
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