Cover We tried a variety of pineapple tart brands in Singapore to find out which is our overall favourite (Photo: Amanda Goh)
We tried a variety of pineapple tart brands in Singapore to find out which is our overall favourite (Photo: Amanda Goh)
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To get in the festive mood this Chinese New Year, we tried eight pineapple tart brands in Singapore. Here’s what we thought…
When it comes to Chinese New Year snacks, one of the first items that typically comes to mind is the quintessential pineapple tart. Buttery, sweet and tangy—what’s not to love about these bite-sized gems?
The pineapple tart is a fascinating example of culinary cross-pollination within the Malay Archipelago, and its origins cannot be attributed to a single culture alone. Instead, it is a hybrid creation born from the intersection of Portuguese, Peranakan, Malay, and Chinese influences.
These tarts are enjoyed in a variety of ways—whether encased in a buttery ball or as an open pastry topped with sweet pineapple jam. Over the years, these treats have evolved with brands creating unique flavours from mala to matcha. While pineapple tarts are available all year round, they are especially popular during the festive season. For Chinese New Year in particular, pineapple tarts symbolise auspiciousness and prosperity.
With so many options, picking one worth your money (and calories) can be quite the decision.
To help you (and ourselves) out, we tried some of the most talked about brands in Singapore. Read on to find out our honest take after inhaling several helpings of this sweet treat. You’re welcome!
In case you missed it: The best wines to bring to Chinese New Year reunion dinners, according to top sommeliers
Pineapple Tarts Singapore
Above Pineapple Tarts Singapore’s Melt in Your Mouth Pineapple Tarts
Pineapple Tarts Singapore’s Melt in Your Mouth Pineapple Tarts
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This local brand offers a wide range of flavoured pineapple tart treats, from pandan to mala. Its Melt in Your Mouth Pineapple Tarts are a favourite thanks to its light and crumbly pastry that’s balanced with its sweet pineapple jam. Just the right amount of sweetness, the brand’s golden orbs are truly addictive.
Our rating: 4.5/5 (Tatler’s pick!)
Ding Bakery
Above Ding Bakery’s Award-Winning Premium Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pineapple Tart
Ding Bakery’s Award-Winning Premium Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pineapple Tart
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Aptly named, its award-winning Premium Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pineapple Tart balls are made from scratch. Its pineapple jam has a nice balance of sweet and tangy, and it’s encased in a buttery and flaky pastry that actually melts in your mouth. On top of having a good jam-to-pastry ratio, its golden treats are also not too sweet.
Our rating: 4/5
Capella Singapore
Above Capella Singapore’s Pineapple Tarts
Capella Singapore’s Pineapple Tarts
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Capella Singapore’s rendition of this festive staple offers buttery balls of decadence. Crafted with a rich blend of premium butter and milk, the pastry boasts a delicate, melt-in-the-mouth texture—achieved through a precise addition of cornflour—encasing a vibrant pineapple jam.
Our rating: 4/5
Wang Lai Bakery
Above Wang Lai’s Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pineapple Tarts
Wang Lai’s Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pineapple Tarts
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Wang Lai Bakery’s Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pineapple Tarts are just the right size to pop into your mouth at any time of the day. Not that we’re encouraging you to pile on the calories! These treats are made with a flaky pastry that doesn’t crumble upon touch. Once you sink your teeth into the tart’s golden pineapple jam, you’ll find that it is more tangy than sweet. The tart has the right balance of sweet and buttery, with a savoury hint that I appreciated at the end.
Our rating: 3.7/5
Carlton Hotel Singapore
Above Carlton’s Premium Pineapple Tart
Carlton’s Premium Pineapple Tart
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A signature from the hotel, the Carlton Premium Pineapple Tart wins points for its expertly balanced flavour profile. Our team noted the high quality of the jam, which avoids the cloying sweetness of lesser varieties, though its rather imposing size feels slightly excessive. In a season where one hopes to sample a wide array of celebratory treats, a more delicate size would perhaps be better.
Our rating: 3.5/5
Kele
Above Kele’s Traditional Pineapple Tarts
Kele’s Traditional Pineapple Tarts
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This local confectionary also offers various pineapple tarts and in both ball and open-faced form. While we tried both the Golden Pineapple Balls and Traditional (open-faced) Pineapple Tarts—we preferred the former.
The pastry is delightfully light and buttery and offers a great balance of generous knob of sweet and tangy pineapple jam. We also enjoyed how the jam offers a good bite.
This year, the brand is offering a special Kele Sanrio Collection, featuring six collectible Sanrio-designed tins filled with their six best-selling festive treats.
Our rating: 3.2/5
Nesuto
Above Nesuto’s Yuzu Pineapple Tart
Nesuto’s Yuzu Pineapple Tart
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Nesuto’s Yuzu pineapple tarts offer a sharp departure from tradition, leading with a punchy, zesty citrus profile that leaves only a subtle hint of sweetness in its wake. While the vibrant yuzu infusion provides a refreshing edge, some members of our team wanted a more cohesive depth typically sought in a festive treat. It is certainly an interesting alternative for the adventurous palate.
Our rating: 3/5
Raffles Hotel
Above Raffles Hotel’s Raffles Pineapple Tarts
Raffles Hotel’s Raffles Pineapple Tarts
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The hotel’s Raffles Pineapple Tarts are made with fresh pineapples that have been slow-cooked to a deep golden brown. The jam is sweet and not too tangy, and paired with a light and savoury butter pastry. With a good pastry-to-jam ratio, each bite is sweet and buttery.
Our rating: 3/5
