Makan Spotlight: Curry Puffs

As its name suggests, Epok Epok Central serves up the Malay version of empanadas – a small, fried, thin-crust pocket loaded with meat, potatoes and/or vegetables. The hawker stall's humble beginnings go back nearly 40 years ago when it started out as a pushcart in Geylang. Today, it calls the Eunos Crescent Market & Food Centre home, and remains one of the pioneer stalls there – it’s also my childhood go-to.

The family business continues to make epok-epok from scratch, using a recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation. These bite-sized snacks are crispier than the usual curry puff and not as buttery. It also comes with three different fillings including spicy potato, egg, and sardine (a personal favourite). Plus, each costs less than a dollar – win!

First opened in 1942, this Joo Chiat gem is the oldest surviving Muslim bakery in Singapore. The family-run heritage shop is best known for its karipap and curry buns. Considerably different from the curry puff and epok epok, its karipap (from $2) is a rectangular treat with layers of thin pastry, and filled with a savoury mix of potatoes and meat that will leave you wanting more.

If you like your karipap flaky and crispy, Indian-Muslim Bakery & Confectionary’s star snack is the one. Treat yourself to a variety of flavours like the signature beef and chicken, beef rendang, black pepper beef, smoked duck, and more.

Before relocating to the tranquil street of East Coast Road, Soon Soon Huat Curry Puff used to fuel the residents of Eunos Crescent with its signature crispy yet buttery puffs. Each puff has a flaky and layered exterior and comes complete with mildly flavoured curry chicken and potato chunks, so that kids can enjoy them too.

If you happen to be in Katong, squeeze some time for a pitstop at Soon Soon Huat Crispy Curry Puff. Besides its signature curry puff ($1.70), it also has otah ($2), spicy sardine ($1.20), and slightly sweet custard ($1.20). The durian puff ($2) is only available during the weekend, and brings the powerful flavours of D24 durian, coconut milk and custard into one ‘sinful’ puff.

You can never go wrong with Old Chang Kee – it’s the go-to if you need a midday deep-fried snack. Making waves all over the world from Malaysia to the UK, this local superstar actually started as a humble stall in a now-defunct coffee shop along Mackenzie Road before branching out with more than 50 franchised outlets around the island. 

The curry puffs here (from $1.50) are slightly bigger and are filled with various fillings, from the signature chicken curry puff with potato and egg to unique seasonal flavours like beef rendang, chilli crab and even nasi lemak (and yes, it comes in green instead of the golden-brown hue). The crust, on the other hand, is a combo of melt-in-your-mouth buttery and shortcrust pastry-crumbly, so expect things to get pretty messy with every bite.

Another iconic heritage brand, Tip Top Curry Puff is one for those who can handle the heat. It first made its name in Ang Mo Kio, satiating the appetites of residents with its popular handmade curry puff since 1979. Its signature pocket-sized nosh (from $1.60) is made with a special blend of 18 spices, premium potatoes and ingredients, wrapped in pastry skin that gives its crispy shell when deep-fried.

For something beyond the usual, its Nonya beef rendang puff ($2) will send you straight to Flavortown. The golden-brown goodie comes complete with tender beef chunks marinated in flavourful rendang gravy. Those on a meatless diet won’t even have to miss out – Tip Top Curry Puff also does Impossible puff ($2.20) which uses plant-based meat instead.

Polar’s history dates back to 1926 when it first opened doors on 51 High Street, selling its signature curry puffs as well as ice cream and chilled refreshments. Its second outlet didn’t come to fruition until December 1986, and the rest is – as they say – history. Today, it has over 30 outlets islandwide.

What sets Polar apart from other stalls is its baked curry puff, which is like a crossover between the karipap and the Cornish pasty. Each puff is loaded with savoury meat encased in flaky pastry. Besides the usual curry puff ($2), it also has vegetarian puff ($1.90), otah puff ($2.30), tuna puff ($2.30), and black pepper chicken puff ($2.40).