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Not all of us have a sweet tooth. I personally prefer the succulent and savoury bites of a good steak. But I will say Hues Caneles is very close to turning me to the dark side. Located near a hawker centre in Chinatown, they serve beautiful French pastries and bakes you’d find in the streets of Paris.
I can’t talk about Hues Caneles without talking about the interior itself. When you enter this quaint bakery, the first thing you feel is warmth. Warmth from the orange light painting the room. Autumn vibes from the aroma of spices and baked goods that pours into the main room from the kitchen in the back. The decor is industrial with some whimsical accoutrements placed about.
Even the placement of the menu, the chalkboard and the adorable drawings of the caneles add levity to the place. Traditionally, a canele has rum in it. According to the owner, Ku Nurizwanshah, rum is important to ensure the outside of the pastry caramelises properly, due to its sugar content. He mentions that he has a secret ingredient to replicate this effect.
Unfortunately, I was unable to get it out of him. I’ll be sure to try again on my next visit.
What to order at Hues Caneles
I won’t beat around the bush. Their caneles overall are an absolute delight. I got the Taro (S$5.50), Creme brulee (S$5.50) and Salted caramel (S$5.50). I would suggest following this sequence of flavours should you try all three. Each flavour gets more and more intense, so it might affect lighter flavours should you try it out of the order I mentioned.
The taro’s texture was unexpected. I figured it would be smooth and creamy, but it actually had a pleasant bite to it. I could feel my teeth sink into the filling. The taro flavour itself is not overpowering. There is no artificial taste, just a light, sweet potato-ey accent you experience at the very end.
That and the canele itself are complementary to each other. The shell of the canele is like glass, in the best way possible. The moment you break it, you are treated to a soft, spongy centre. You can taste the different spices. It’s warm and fragrant, making the pastry feel not too rich.
The creme brulee was smooth and creamy. The custard taste was not overpowering; the eggy flavour lends itself to the caramelised shell of the canele. The glassy top wasn’t really present, but that’s completely fine, since the entire canele felt like a crisp layer of sugar glass.
And last but definitely not least, the salted caramel. This is easily my favourite flavour, but I will say it might not be for everyone. It has that almost sickly sweet butterscotch flavour. What sets this apart from the others is the bitterness. It is almost savoury and contrasts with the sweetness nicely.
Who is Hues Caneles best for?
If you are looking to try something new, try Hues Caneles. The canele is a unique pastry that is a rare find in Singapore. The fact that it is Muslim-owned makes it even more rare. The taste of each pastry is delicious but, most importantly, balanced – something you can enjoy without feeling sick. There is also coffee, sandwiches and much more.
Also, I think their caneles, along with their other treats, make the perfect gift. They are small, pretty, and their packaging is also very eye-catching and pleasant.
How to get to Hues Caneles
The nearest MRT is Maxwell, which is a 5-minute walk to Hues Caneles. The nearest bus stop is New Bridge Centre, which is only 2 minutes away. Hues Caneles is at 4 Sago Lane, #02-123, Kreta Ayer Heights, Singapore 050004. Look for the stairs near the drop-off point, and you should spot their cute logo from the bottom floor.
Do we recommend Hues Caneles?
Yes, easily. They have some of the best-tasting Muslim-owned bakes I’ve had in a while. Do note that they are constantly updating their menu, so the caneles I’ve tried here might not be around when you visit. Their menu rotates seasonally so they stay fresh and creative.
I also ordered extra pastries for my family and noticed how gently and carefully the owner packed them. Their paper bag even included reheating instructions. They arrived in pristine condition, and that attention to detail deserves praise.
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