This was an accidental discovery. I happened to be at Joo Seng Food Place after work for dinner (Sad, Mum ain't cooking that day). Being a relatively large eating place, I had expected to find vegetarian food. To my disappointment, there weren't any. As a flexitarian, I could have chosen something from the non-vegetarian stalls, but I wasn't in the mood for meat. Though hungry, I did not intend to compromise. Instead I explored that area a little and my efforts paid off in the form of 2 vegetarian shops, namely He Xi Vegetarian Restaurant and Ya Te Vegetarian Confectionery.
That is quite some time back, before this blog comes into existence. After I start this blog, He Xi and Ya Te are naturally on my list of places to review. On Saturday, when I was quite free, I decided to visit these places. Since Mum was free enough to cook, I decided on Ya Te to pick up something for tea break instead. Despite its location at Aljunied Lane, Ya Te is nowhere near Aljunied MRT station. However, one can take 100 from the station to reach Ya Te. The other two bus service numbers to take are 135 and 155.
Ya Te is more than just a confectionery. Apart from eggless cakes, breads and pastries, it also sells frozen vegetarian food products, vegetarian sauces and soft drinks. Due to the large array of products available, the shop has a packed feeling. Like many Chinese vegetarian food sellers, the owner of Ya Te is probably a Buddhist as well. I deduced that from the Buddhist posters pasted outside the confectionery. On entering, I could hear a Buddhist hymn playing in the background. Well, not exactly my type of music, but it certainly beat hearing Justin Bieber's songs.
The food
On the staff's recommendation, which happened to match what I had in mind already, I decided on the pandan kaya cake. According to her, they did not make this everyday, so I was lucky. At S$ 3.00, the portion size was enough for two people, unless you had a huge appetite, so the price was reasonable. Furthermore, the kaya layer, especially the slab in the middle, was quite thick relative to the sponge cake, making it even more value for money. Texture wise, despite the omission of eggs, the cake in general felt soft and smooth, and carried the right amount of moisture. I was ambivalent about the taste though. The very first thing I noticed was the cake wasn't very sweet, hence I won't feel sick of eating it. What made it a letdown was the lack of pandan flavor, a very important characteristics of this cake. I wasn't sure if it had anything to do with the the lack of sweetness.
Conclusion
If I have lived far away from Ya Te, I probably would not return again, since its location is a little inaccessible, and the cake I have tried isn't worth making the journey. However, this isn't the case, and I don't think it is fair to mark down the entire confectionery because of one of its items. Moreover there is a good variety of products available, so I am willing to give it another chance, though not anytime soon.
That is quite some time back, before this blog comes into existence. After I start this blog, He Xi and Ya Te are naturally on my list of places to review. On Saturday, when I was quite free, I decided to visit these places. Since Mum was free enough to cook, I decided on Ya Te to pick up something for tea break instead. Despite its location at Aljunied Lane, Ya Te is nowhere near Aljunied MRT station. However, one can take 100 from the station to reach Ya Te. The other two bus service numbers to take are 135 and 155.
Ya Te is more than just a confectionery. Apart from eggless cakes, breads and pastries, it also sells frozen vegetarian food products, vegetarian sauces and soft drinks. Due to the large array of products available, the shop has a packed feeling. Like many Chinese vegetarian food sellers, the owner of Ya Te is probably a Buddhist as well. I deduced that from the Buddhist posters pasted outside the confectionery. On entering, I could hear a Buddhist hymn playing in the background. Well, not exactly my type of music, but it certainly beat hearing Justin Bieber's songs.
The food
On the staff's recommendation, which happened to match what I had in mind already, I decided on the pandan kaya cake. According to her, they did not make this everyday, so I was lucky. At S$ 3.00, the portion size was enough for two people, unless you had a huge appetite, so the price was reasonable. Furthermore, the kaya layer, especially the slab in the middle, was quite thick relative to the sponge cake, making it even more value for money. Texture wise, despite the omission of eggs, the cake in general felt soft and smooth, and carried the right amount of moisture. I was ambivalent about the taste though. The very first thing I noticed was the cake wasn't very sweet, hence I won't feel sick of eating it. What made it a letdown was the lack of pandan flavor, a very important characteristics of this cake. I wasn't sure if it had anything to do with the the lack of sweetness.
Conclusion
If I have lived far away from Ya Te, I probably would not return again, since its location is a little inaccessible, and the cake I have tried isn't worth making the journey. However, this isn't the case, and I don't think it is fair to mark down the entire confectionery because of one of its items. Moreover there is a good variety of products available, so I am willing to give it another chance, though not anytime soon.
| Address | : | Blk 4 Upper Aljunied Lane #01-06 Singapore 360004 |
| Opening Hours | : | Mon - Fri, 9.00 am - 8.00 pm Sat & Sun, 9.00 am - 5.00 pm Closed on public holidays |
| Bus Service | : | 100, 135, 155 |
| MRT Station | : | Aljunied |
| Website | : | http://yatehouse.blogspot.com/ |
I've tried the food there many times.. Simply delicious. Ordered a birthday cake from there too... Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to know that what I have tried is an exception to their usually good standard. When I have the time I should try something else from this place. Problem is Ya te is so near, yet a little inaccessible from where I live at Potong Pasir. I have to take 2 buses to reach it. Alternatively I can walk (20-30 minutes)...
ReplyDeleteI tried their cake and bread twice before and I think so far is the best in terms of taste and most important is the price is very reasonable and affordable (unlike the other veg bakery shops). The sponge cake is very soft and I like the fresh cream that is not very sweet and not butter cream. If not for the location, I will definitely buy more often.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should try their cake and other products instead of just the panda kaya cake.
I like your blog and posts which is very info and nice. seems that you have stopped blogging? Pls do continue.Thks.
ReplyDelete