Olsen Bakehouse In Joo Chiat - Cakes With A Local Twist

Singapore’s café-dense Joo Chiat strip is no stranger to good food, but Olsen Bakehouse carves out an entirely different niche — a family-run bakery that bakes the way you would for your own loved ones. Think all-natural ingredients, no artificial additives, and a “siu dai” (less sweet) philosophy that makes every slice surprisingly light, incredibly flavourful, and completely guilt-reducible. Tucked into a charming all-white conservation shophouse at 301 Joo Chiat Road, this eight-year-old gem — formerly at Crawford Lane — has found its forever home in the East, and once you taste what they’re offering, it’s easy to see why.

Ondeh Ondeh Cake — $8.50/slice | From $56 (whole)

This is the cake that put Olsen Bakehouse on the map, and rightfully so. Expect a beautifully fluffy pandan chiffon sponge layered with rich gula melaka and finished with a generous coating of toasted coconut shreds. It delivers all the familiar comfort of the classic ondeh ondeh ball — in cake form. Fans consistently rave about how it doesn’t leave you feeling overwhelmed by sweetness, making it dangerously easy to go back for a second slice.

Orh Nee Cake — $8.50/slice | From $56 (whole)

For those who love a good yam dessert, the Orh Nee Cake is a standout. Built on the same light pandan chiffon base, it’s layered with a house-made orh nee paste and blanketed in a gorgeous purple-swirled coconut buttercream. What makes this version particularly impressive is its restraint — it’s far lighter in texture compared to the dense yam cakes you’d encounter at traditional dessert stalls, yet the yam flavour still comes through beautifully. It’s widely regarded as one of the bakery’s top recommendations.

Kopi, Kaya & Peanut Butter Cake — $8.50/slice | From $60 (whole)

Only in Singapore would you find a cake this wonderfully nostalgic. Built on a coffee chiffon base, this creation is generously slathered with pandan kaya and house-made peanut butter, then finished with a crunch of crushed peanuts. It’s essentially the classic kopitiam breakfast — kaya toast with kopi — reimagined as a celebration cake. Diners have praised it for its originality, and it’s one of those flavours you simply will not find anywhere else on the island.

Sesame Yuzu Cake — $8/slice l From $60 (whole)

For something a little more unexpected, the Sesame Yuzu is a worthy pick. Light and well-balanced, this chiffon cake brings together the earthy nuttiness of sesame with a bright, zesty yuzu filling. It’s a more contemporary flavour profile compared to the bakery’s local-inspired line-up, but it fits seamlessly into the overall ethos of lightness and quality ingredients.

Everyday Bakes & Snacks

Beyond the cakes, Olsen Bakehouse also puts out an impressive rotating selection of everyday bakes. The Almond Sugee Cake ($8) is a consistent crowd-pleaser, while their flavoured Scones — such as the Strawberry Scone and Cherry Scone (both at $4 each) — offer a sweet, zesty bite that pairs well with coffee. For those avoiding gluten, the Sweet Potato Fudge Brownie ($4.50) is the bakery’s standout vegan-friendly option — fudgy, wholesome, and packed with fibrous sweet potato bits. Fans of local coffee flavours will also want to grab a pack of the Kopi C Cookies ($4) to take home.

Drinks

It’s not just about the bakes. Olsen Bakehouse rounds out the experience with well-brewed hot coffee — both black and white — alongside cold brews from $6, cold chocolate at $7, and kombucha from $6. The coffee alone has drawn comparisons to quality specialty cafés, making it a solid stop for those seeking both great cake and a proper cup.

Olsen Bakehouse is the kind of place that genuinely earns its loyal following. It bakes with conviction — no pork, no lard, no gelatin, no alcohol, and no artificial anything — making it a rare space where dietary-conscious diners, vegans, and families alike can all find something to love. The atmosphere inside the conservation shophouse is calm and unhurried, a welcome contrast to the bustle of Joo Chiat outside. Whether you’re dropping in for a single slice or pre-ordering a whole cake for a celebration, the quality and care baked into every product is unmistakable.

📍 301 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427552
📞 8891 5819
🕐 Tuesday to Sunday, 9am – 4pm | Closed on Mondays
🌐 olsenbakehouse.com
📸 Instagram: @olsenbakehouse