(June 29, 2026) Sophia Yeow and Nicole Lian the mother-daughter duo, of Tiap Tiap that is known for its cakes and Peranakan-inspired treats, now celebrate the sixth anniversary with a grand opening at 374 East Coast Road of its first physical outlet. Soph, who has been developing her craft for 30 years, quit her job as a marketing executive and delved into cooking full time. In 2024 she was joined by Nicole, who was a systems engineering and in product design. They have developed a reputation for quality food and built a strong following of loyal customers. Wanting to expand, they moved into in a space in the Joo Chiat area that they have long been associated with.

“Joo Chiat was the right neighbourhood for us to establish our first storefront in, not only because I grew up in the East Coast area, but more importantly because this precinct has always understood what it means to keep heritage alive,” stated Yeow. “We want Tiap Tiap to be this kind of place, where you return to not because you have to, but because it feels like coming home.”

Walking into the new outlet is like entering a magical world. It is a world of cakes and pies and pleasant savory tastes that come in many forms. The décor is engaging. The side  wall with the sign and the Singapore flower designs, the cakes on displays and china.  Colours are rich in the many collectables from around the world that are on display in large glass cases and on shelves behind the till. There is a lot to take in.

“The store is an extension of our home where we welcomed guests for a private dining experience at the Butterfly Table,” said Soph. Every piece of china we serve our dishes  on and every feature of the space carries a piece of our family home.”  

Tiap Tiap gives you the impression of meticulous managers who have an eye for detail. They put an emphasis on quality.  374 East Coast Road is a small space that fronts a growing food empire. In October it will open in Ion, Orchard. Going through the door to the back you enter a space about three times the size of the boutique. This is where the baking is done with modern gleaming equipment. 

The doors were closed at 5:00 o’clock for the media event, but people came to the glass door and looked in. Sad that they were on the outside. One insistent lady said she just wanted to buy a cake. She was accommodated.

You can see in the decorations for the room and for the cakes, and even in their words, that Nicole and Soph like to have fun. They say, “All cakes come in multiple sizes; baby, default and giant.”

Tiap Tiap means everyday. It is about the food that you grew up with. It is about nostalgia.

What is happening here is history refreshed through the food of the past being brought into the post covid world. This is not a new concept. The French writer, Marcel Proust, wrote about this in 1913 in his novel In Search of Lost Time. The protagonist experienced a strong sensation when he tasted a madeleine (a light, sweet cake, sometimes described as halfway between a cake and a cookie) dipped in tea: “No sooner had the warm liquid, and the crumbs with it, touched my palate, a shudder ran through my whole body, and I stopped, intent upon the extraordinary changes that were taking place. An exquisite pleasure had invaded my senses, but individual, detached, with no suggestion of its origin.” Memories, created by the tastes and aromas rushed to mind. Within scent and flavours lies a store of things from the past that have not passed away.  

While your experience may not be as strong, the food that is created at Tiap Tiap is designed to take you back to the sensation you experienced when you were young. They are, “Tradition-rich dishes that unite and delight. The Peranakan dishes is where ‘East meets West’ which you will discover in the chiffon cakes. We use premium ingredients,” Soph explains. “We want to take care of ourselves, so the best ingredients are used.” 

We were given samples from their menu such as the Paper Wrapped Chicken, Chocolate Rice and Pineapple Cream Cake. Every dessert, every cake and snack is rich in flavour. You will not be disappointed with anything you order.

Speaking of having fun, someone thought it would be fun if the media put together their own Coconut Cream Cake. I was not among those who thought it would be fun, but it was. We donned the protective hairnet, gloves and apron, but there was nothing that could protect the cake from me. 

All the ingredients and parts were already prepared. Nicole led us through the process. First, we had to extract the already baked cake from the pan. This is where my problems began. By not running the knife completely around the pan some remained behind when I extracted it. This contributed to the Leaning Tower of Pisa effect. Perhaps the most exacting operation was slicing that cake into three even and equal parts. Equal and even were the operative words, a goal I didn’t achieve.

I thought the generous amount of cream in the gleaming bowl would be my savior, allowing me to create equality in the layers and cover up my mistakes. Alas, the cream wasn’t as cooperative as I hoped it would be. I looked up and saw that in a brief same time Nicole had created a tight, erect masterpiece that shamed my effort. 

Walking around the room helping out us amateurs Nicole said I was doing well. “No need to be polite,” I responded. 

Putting on the desiccated coconut, flung at the sides with a hope and prayer, it took on the appearance of a shaggy dog in need of a haircut. Nicole, the barber, took over for a moment, and with deft and well-honed moves quickly improved its appearance.

You can simply slide into the new location, make your order and leave, or you can get involved with Tiap Tiap in a number of ways. Soph is recognized as one of Singapore's biggest vintage china collectors. You can visit their museum. Another option is to accompany her as she shops for the freshest ingredients and produce at Singapore’s local markets. Or really get an in-depth experience with A Night @ Butterfly Table. Dine with Sophia as she delves into the rich history and flavours of Peranakan cuisine.

Chat with Sophie on WhatsApp +65 9008 9066 if you would like to experience any of these. Or drop by 374 East Coast Road.

https://www.tiaptiapwithsoph.com/butterfly-table 

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