The Best Curry Puff in Singapore: Is It Truly Exceptional?

Curry Puffs in Singapore: Where to Go?

When visiting the Hong Lim Market, you might hear about the rivalry between two famous curry puff brands located in the same stall. One of them, Tanglin Crispy Curry Puff, has recently rebranded as Heritage Tanglin Puff Since 1952 for easier identification. Interestingly, the outlet at The Poiz Centre has garnered high praise on Google, boasting a rating of 4.8 stars from around 251 reviews.

Exploring the Unique Menu

Curious if the curry puffs truly deserve the title of the best in Singapore, I decided to give them a try. The space is primarily for takeout, with just three bar stools for anyone looking to grab a quick bite. Price-wise, the puffs here are slightly more expensive, about S$0.20 more than those at the Hong Lim stall.

The shop offers five varieties for you to choose from: Chicken Potato Puff (S$2.20), Sardine Puff (S$2.20), Otah Puff (S$2.20), Tapioca Puff (S$2.20), and Chicken Rendang Puff (S$2.40).

Experiencing the Otah Puff

I started with the Otah Puff, which had two red dots on its surface. Although the brown paper bag had a bit of oil, the puff wasn’t overly greasy. Biting into the crispy outer layer, I found the otah filling to be a generous chunk rather than small bits. I’ve always preferred the Muar style for otah — soft and bursting with flavor. Luckily, the version at Heritage Tanglin Puff was almost up to Muar standards, leaving me quite satisfied.

Trying the Sardine Puff

The Sardine Puff didn’t have any distinctive color on its crust, making it easy to confuse with the Chicken Potato Puff unless the staff clearly labeled the bag. Upon biting into it, I noticed the filling was a bit less compared to the other varieties, with potatoes dominating over the sardine. While the sardine retained some moisture, I felt the quality had dipped compared to my last tasting at Hong Lim Market.

Tapioca Puff: A Wonderful Choice

To refresh my palate after two savory flavors, I decided to try the Tapioca Puff (S$2.20), which had two green marks on its crust. The tapioca filling was dense, flavorful, and not overly sweet, reminiscent of enjoying a luxurious bowl of orh nee.

Chicken Rendang Puff: A Pleasant Surprise

I was quite excited about the Chicken Rendang Puff. Recently, I had tried a famous curry puff chain and was disappointed by the overly strong flavor. However, from the first bite, I felt relief. The filling contained egg, chicken, and potatoes, with a balanced flavor that was slightly spicy and mildly sweet. The ratio of chicken to potato was also more reasonable compared to the Potato Puff I had tried earlier.

Wrapping Up with the Chicken Potato Puff

I concluded my breakfast with the classic — Chicken Potato Puff. The crispy crust enveloped fluffy potato filling with a hint of chicken inside. To be honest, I struggled to find any distinct pieces of chicken, as the potatoes seemed to take the lead. This made me feel that the puff wasn't really worth the price.

Should You Try Heritage Tanglin Puff Since 1952?

This shop is perfect for anyone looking for a light snack in the morning or afternoon. If you want to try curry puff flavors that stray from the usual chicken and potato, consider sampling options like Otah, Yam, and Chicken Rendang.

How to Get to Heritage Tanglin Puff

Heritage Tanglin Puff Since 1952 is located in The Poiz Centre at 51 Upper Serangoon Road. The nearest MRT station is Potong Pasir (NE10) just below. Alternatively, you can take a bus to either of the two stops: Potong Pasir and Potong Pasir Stn Exit B.

Final Thoughts

While there are a few areas for improvement, I still feel that the curry puffs here are among the better options in Singapore. The Sardine and Chicken Potato Puffs could use some enhancement, but the other flavors were delightful. However, I believe the 4.8-star rating might be a bit high; a score of 4 to 4.5 stars would be more fair.