After our chicken rice lunch at Katong's famous boneless chicken with free achar and soup, Lynn brought a banana pie from Aunty Peng for dessert.
By the way, before I go any further, let's settle the chicken rice first π€ Nothing seemed to have changed at Katong boneless chicken rice since I last ate here a decade ago - tastes just as good, same free achar and soup, have glass chicken feet η»ηιΈ‘θ, and as popular as ever π
Back to Auntie Peng Banana Pie - each pie costs S$33. Each pie has 10 slices like this.
Single slice S$3.30 (that's very competitive pricing in today's market).
The pie was about an inch thick. It has a buttery cup base, then a layer of banana flesh, a layer of grated coconut, covered / closed by a quite thick buttery cap. On top, it was evenly crusted with a layer of toasted chopped almond bits.
The buttery crust was crumbly, with bits falling all over as I ate π€
The banana and coconut filling was soft, moist-juicy. The banana melted into molten lava from baking in the hot oven. It was sweet (but not overly) in layers from banana and coconut shreds with a subtle tang from the banana. The toasted almond bits added toasty, nutty crunch to the soft crumbly sweet buttery pie.
Pure bliss with a cup of bitter black i.e. kopi or coffee.
All the banana pies are made from scratch at the little basement shop. On the way to Auntie Peng's shop, the whole corridor was filled with buttery sweet aroma.
They use real ripe pisang raja (king banana) at Auntie Peng.
Lynn has been a fan of Auntie Peng's artisanal banana pies for 30 years i.e. since Auntie Peng started with Dona Manis in 1994.
Auntie Peng (Mdm Soh Tho Lang) with son Hsing. Auntie Peng was working at the bakery at Shangri-La Hotel and then Regent Hotel before starting Dona Manis with a partner 30 years ago. She created this banana pie. Even today, when son Hsing has taken over the business, Auntie Peng still comes regularly to the shop to pursue her passion and to keep Hsing on his toes π€
Auntie Peng Banana Pie was launched Apr 2024. Before that, Auntie Peng partnered Uncle Tan Tieow Teong to open Dona Manis Cake Shop in 1994. Uncle Tan passed on in Oct 2023 at age 93.
In Apr 2024, Auntie Peng opened her own shop located just next door to Dona Manis which is now run by Uncle Tan's daughter, Esther.
I look forward to trying Dona Manis' rendition of banana pie in the future.
Here's my review after tasting the banana pie at Dona Manis π click
Bakery name: Auntie Peng Banana Pie
Address: 865 Mountbatten Road, #B1-92 Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844
Nearest MRT: 10 minutes walk from Marine Parade station
Tel: 8088 9639
Hours: 9am - 6pm
Yes. I love Auntie Peng's banana pie. It is so so so good π πππ
ReplyDeleteTaste is indeed a matter of personal preference. With an open mind, I decided to venture beyond my long-standing fondness for Dona Manis and gave Aunty Peng a try.
ReplyDeleteWhile Aunty Peng offers a less sweet alternative, I found the pastry crumble and filling somewhat less satisfying. The buttery richness, which I’ve come to cherish, seemed subdued, leaving the overall experience wanting in depth and indulgence.
Looks so good I could almost smell this banana pie from my computer screen! I want to try it!
ReplyDelete