Juz Bake: Charming hawker bakery with 20 types of affordable bakes like kouign aman & croissants in Bukit Timah

Bread can win over crowds in various shapes and forms, whether it’s with spreads like the iconic kaya or simply on its own. For those who adore french bakes like kouign aman and croissants, Juz Bake in Bukit Timah Market and Food Centre is one of the only places where you get it for just below S$3! 

As a pastry student, I adore bread to the core. However, one cannot deny that French pastries are on the costlier side, usually costing around S$5 per piece. So, as I stumbled across reviews of a hawker bakery selling them for cheap, I jumped at the opportunity to determine if it was a solid find.

Open at 6am, Juz Bake is one of the stalls open before the crack of dawn. Those who have worked in a bakery will be appalled as they wonder how the stall can prepare all the bakes in time. Well, stallkeeper Johan wakes up at midnight to do just that. Talk about extreme dedication. 

When I was there, Johan’s wife handled customers whilst Johan was prepping the next batch. She was extremely bubbly and cheery despite the early morning, handling my dazed mumble with complete understanding and a couple of jokes. Props to her fantastic customer service!

My eyes practically popped at the humongous array this stall had to offer. Despite the space, there were multiple rows dedicated to showing off Johan’s creations. Personally, it was intriguing to see local and atas French bakes sold in one place.

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For those who prefer local Singaporean classics, Butter Sugar Bun (S$1.70) and Kaya Raisin Roll (S$2) are the perfect snacks to give you an energy spike for the day. However, the savoury Chicken Char Siew Bun (S$1.80) or Mushroom Cheese Bun (S$1.80) make for a wonderful light lunch. 

From my observation, the sweet spot time is between 9am and 11am. Rumours have it that the usual favourites are sold out around 11am, so be sure to head down early to not have FOMO!

What I tried at Juz Bake

Of course, the Croissant (S$2) is one of the must-try items here. A baker’s eye will discern that this croissant looks slightly different, having a slightly breadier appearance than what the usual viennoiserie looks like. 

Taste-wise, the difference can be detected as well. Rather than being flaky, the layers were condensed, making the overall croissant fluffy. Surprisingly, the usual buttery characteristic is more subdued, making the pastry taste a little plain. Perfect for some jam, in my humble opinion.

On the other hand, the Pain Au Chocolate (S$2.50) was delightful. I loved how the chocolate embedded within was of a darker, richer variety. Personally, I was not too upset over the amount, as the chocolate taste lingers to complement subsequent bites.

I was the most excited for the Kouign Aman (S$2.80), considering how often I’ve eaten it at Tiong Bahru Bakery. It was completely spot-on, with a delicious caramelisation over the crust. I adored how this pastry was a heavenly combination of fluffy interior and flaky exterior, making for a fantastic textural balance. 

If I had to differentiate the 2, Tiong Bahru’s is more on the flaky side while Juz Bake’s one emphasises the fluffy crumb. For S$2.80, this Kouign Aman is a remarkable steal. This mini circle of goodness is sure to make your dining partner jealous!

Many Google reviews reveal that the Cranberry Scone (S$1.70 for 1, S$10 for 6) is a hidden gem, so I made the obvious choice to discover the reason for the hype. I was surprised at the dense weight of the scone, as it felt that it was more than the weight of both croissants combined. 

Despite my usual opposition to finding dried fruits in bakes, the addition of cranberries here was wholly satisfying. The cranberries added just a light tartness that perfectly complemented the dense layers in the scone. I loved how they did not skimp on the cranberries, allowing for a couple of tart explosions in each bite.

For the folks who prefer softer breads, the Hokkaido Custard Cupcake (S$4.70 for 3) will definitely suit your taste. This cupcake is incredibly bouncy, springing back with every poke. Underneath that pillowy bread hides a silky custard cream which tastes similar to local cream puffs.

What I loved most was how full of the cream the cupcake was. Worried that the cream is too sweet? This cream was not, having just a light sweetness that will suit the older folks. Enjoying this treat with a local cup of Joe makes for a perfect breakfast. 

Final thoughts

Juz Bake has officially become my go-to place for my Kouign Aman fix. There is an incredible variety of options for all sorts of tastes, with a staggering selection of over 20 unique bakes. Perhaps, I will bring my family as extra mouths to try out the savoury bakes this stall has to offer. 

One thing’s for certain, this stall’s circular treat will never be safe from my grasp from now on. 

Expected damage: S$1.70 – S$2.80 per pax

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