I was so surprised to see these trays of Tau Sa Pia at The Roti Shoppe yesterday. Although I know this is still available, I least expected to see such traditional pastry in a modern bakery joint. I remember my mum used to buy these from the provision shops and back then, they came wrapped in thin pink paper.
What I found even more interesting was that this bakery even have the Chinese word “sweet” or “salty” imprinted on top of the tau sa pia. For those who haven’t eaten these, tau sa pia are either sweet or salty, depending on the filling. The sweet ones are filled with red bean and the salty with peanut paste.
The salty ones were my favourite. I remember the soft fluffy skin flaked easily and I used to polish off the fallen flakes from the pink paper or plate which I ate from.
I wonder if these taste as good because I didn’t get to buy any. But by the look of it, I believe I still need to clean up the fallen flakes.
Hey.. they look yummy..
We can only find these still sold in pieces at the old bakery in China town, but most new bakeries will sell them in packs, all packed.
I really like seeing old goodies sold in modern shops..
Comment by zara's mama — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 @ 3:13 pm
Yup, they look delicious, you should have bought mah, then you can tell us nice or not..hehe..
I love the salty ones too! Hmm…so miss the taste..
Comment by Eileen — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 @ 4:03 pm
Hi, I came here via Jean of Rice & Soup. Love your blog’s layout :-). Uh, tau sar pia. I miss it so much, Wish they are selling it in Australia. They certainly look appetizing. I remember stuffing it in my mouth (one after another) until I can’t talk. It was THAT yummy!
Comment by bohemianlisa — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 @ 5:25 pm
Tau Sa Piah hasn’t been on my favourite food list until I left Singapore for a few years. Suddenly, I crave for traditional childhood food, even though they may not be stuff I liked before. I prefer the sweet to the salty ones.
Comment by earthember — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 @ 5:30 pm
Yummy! I love the salty ones!! Too bad I didn’t get to taste it when i was in Singapore last June. My mom thot i prefer the sweet one. -_-
Comment by crazymommy — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 @ 8:38 pm
I also like this pastry but I only know about the sweet ones with the red beans. We call it hopia.
Comment by niceheart — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 @ 9:44 am
ZM: Same here. That’s why I couldn’t resist taking the picture.
Eileen: Didn’t feel like eating it then. Maybe another day.
bohemianlisa: Hey, welcome! Really, you used to stuff these down? I cannot imagine. They’re quite a mouthful.
ee: It’s always like that. When I was away in the West for a period of time, even the thought of something as simple as fishball was delicious.
cm: N’er mind. At least you tried the sweet ones. Better than nothing right?
niceheart: Hopia? That’s interesting. Reminds me of our springroll here which is call popia.
Comment by sesame — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 @ 3:52 pm
Why everyone blogging about tau sa pia? I recently got a taste of those with peanut butter and chocolate.. seriously, I thought they are weird.. mebbe I am just used to the plain old tau sa pia..
Comment by Erika — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 @ 9:49 pm
You’re right about cleaning up the flakey parts. I can’t imagine, esp with no maid now. No flakes, please.
But, but, I still like the tau sar piah. Tip: microwave for 30 seconds before eating. The oil will be ‘quickened’ and the taste is so much better. Yummy! Oops, flakes.
Comment by mother superior — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 @ 10:43 pm
Haha, okay, maybe two mouthfuls for each tau sar piah. Cannot eat & talk at the same time.
Comment by bohemianlisa — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 @ 6:46 am
I never like tau sa pia but is my mum favourite tot & my dear granny will always buy this back from m’sia if she go over for shopping.
Comment by Ashes — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 @ 10:13 am
Erika: I think I’ll stick to the old ones as well…
MS: Microwave to quicken the oil? That’s interesting.
bohemianlisa: Definitely cannot talk. Otherwise, all the flakes will fall off!
Ashes: Not your favourite? Well, if got picture of Rain on top, maybe different story hor?
Comment by sesame — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 @ 3:50 pm
Eh! let me think abt it 1st coz I can’t be eating something I dun like just bcoz dear Rain’s pic is on it. Unless me eating him up in person…kekeke…
Comment by Ashes — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 @ 5:24 pm