No. 17 - Swiss Rolls from Rich & Good Cake Shop

No. 17 - Swiss Rolls from Rich & Good Cake Shop

When I first saw the 50 yummiest cakes article, this didn't come across my mind to pay a visit. First, I don't know where is Kandahar Street and thought it would be somewhere in the East. Second, to make me travel for swiss rolls, I am pretty skeptical. It was only recently when I did my usual internet search on food blogs and cakes that I came across several entries on their Famous Kaya Swiss Roll.

Located in one of the restored, refurbished old shophouse in Kampong Glam, this Muslim quarter was once a historic seat of Malay royalty in Singapore. The former Sultan’s palace has been converted into a Malay heritage centre to showcase the rich history and culture of Singapore’s Malay community. Also located in close proximity of the heritage centre and the confectionary, the Sultan Mosque (or Masjid Sultan), being largest mosque in Singapore, is a landmark one won't miss.

Surprisingly, apart from shops selling Muslim men’s headgear (or songkok), the holy Quran, prayer mats and textiles, the place houses a wide array of eateries, with the bulk of it being Muslim food. I would say it is an eye-opening sight since these heritage places has been overshadowed by the city-life and shopping malls in Singapore.

Despite located in an area that is not easily accessible on normal days, we do see a fair bit of customers walking into an old shop to purchase their swiss rolls. The shop is pretty simple, with a standing fridge filled with boxes of the swiss rolls and nothing much on display but the smell of baking and its stacks of trays and boxes.

As described in the article,

"The name of the shop says it all: Rich and Good. These delicious rolls come in seven flavours: durian, kaya, mango, blueberry, strawberry, chocolate and coffee. All are excellent."

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Fen's comments

Whenever, I come across recommendations on magazines or newspapers, my first impression is that this place must be new and trendy or something unique and different. This definitely comes pretty out of place when placed on the same article with hotels and pâtisserie. In addition, from the information I have collected from various blogs, this seems to be a must-try and thus I have decided to lay my hands on the durian and kaya swiss rolls.

As most described, the swiss rolls are long (i.e. 30cm) and thin with pretty swirls of its filling and moist and soft chiffon. What is good is the overall springy taste without a strong taste of eggs, and usually cakes that are soft are just plain porous. In addition, the amount of cream is not alot and thus, one can easily munch the entire roll without feeling cloying nor sin.

Setting aside that it is nice, but pardon me to say that I wouldn't travel all the way for a slice of swiss roll. With early closing hours (closes before I am off work) and located deep in Kampong Glam, I would gladly drop by Breadtalk to curb my swiss rolls carvings.

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Yuan's comments

This is one of the best swiss roll I have ever eaten. Dense and moist, especially the kaya-flavoured one. What I particularly like about the kaya swiss roll is that the kaya tasted very traditional, reminds me of my childhood days. Highly recommended.

As for the durian swiss roll, it was a total disappointment. The texture of chiffon was there, dense and moist. However, it was just cream with durian essence and barely have the taste of durian pulp (even though it is present in its filling).

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Rich & Good Cake Shop

24 Kandahar Street
Singaopore 198887
Tel: 6294 3324
Operating hours - 8am to 5pm, closed on Sun and PH

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Durian puffs from Rich and Good Cake Shop

Durian puffs from Rich and Good Cake Shop

Since Yuan's mum and himself is a durian lover, we have decided to buy a box of durian puffs ($3.50 for 6 pieces) from Rich and Good Cake Shop. Apart from durian, they do have chempadak puffs and chocolate eclairs.

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Fen's comments

According to Yuan, there is a difference in the filling used for the durian puff and the durian swiss roll. The filling in these durian puffs are generally more custardy and smooth. Unlike Puteri Mas and 717 Trading which have a generally stronger durian taste, more fibrious filling and watery, their fillings are completely opposite. I personally prefer Goodwood Park durian puffs for a richer taste but for $3.50, this is worth a try, the only issue is that it is more convenient to go Goodwood Park Hotel and Kandahar Street and that Goodwood Park has a more flexible opening hours.

As for the puffs, they are soft and dusted with icing. I would say it is better than 717 Trading but I am pretty sure there are neighoourhood confectionaries that has similar standards since custards puffs are pretty common. In short, I would say it is not bad, given the soft profiterole pastry and its smooth filling but I wouldn't travel all the way to Kandahar to beat their closing hours for this.

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Yuan's comments

I would say that these puffs are not as solid as the ones from Goodwood Park Hotel. The pulp in the puff tasted like custard. However, the good thing about these puffs is that they use the bittersweet durians. Generally, not bad but if you are a true durian fan, you will not like it.
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Rich & Good Cake Shop
24 Kandahar Street
Singaopore 198887
Tel: 6294 3324
Operating hours - 8am to 5pm, closed on Sun and PH

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