Banana Pie Dona Manis Cake Shop @ Katong Shopping Centre Basement

Singapore. In my review last week of Auntie Peng's banana pie, I mentioned that I will review Dona Manis' banana pie soon. So, here I am.

For those who still don't already know the background, Dona Manis Cake Shop at Katong Shopping Centre was opened in 1994 by Auntie Peng and Uncle Tan.

Uncle Tan passed on in Oct 2023. In Jun 2024, Auntie Peng left Dona Manis and opened her own shop next door. Uncle Tan's daughter Esther continues to run Dona Manis.

Inevitably, social and state media jumped on the story, comparing the banana cakes of Dona Manis and Auntie Peng.

I have earlier reviewed Auntie Peng's banana cake here 👈 click

10am: Dona Manis banana pies waiting for you 🤭

Donna Manis' baker comes to the shop at 3am so that the cakes and pies are ready by 10am.

Dona Manis banana pie at S$3.50 costs a miniscule fraction more than Auntie Peng's at S$3.30.

First impression was Dona Manis' pie was denser and more compact, though just marginally so.

The pie had a buttery crumbly base and top cover which were thinner that Auntie Peng's. It was closely filled with lots of moist pieces of cut banana. Unlike Auntie Peng's, where I could discern a layer of shredded coconut flesh, Dona Manis was much more sparing with coconut shreds in the banana pie.

I've read reviews commenting that Donna Manis' pies were sweeter than Auntie Peng's. Today, I felt that they were about the same, perhaps depending on the bananas used on the particular day. There was a subtle zest in the sweet banana which I enjoyed.