Madeleine's @ Aperia Mall - Madeleine’s Original Portuguese Egg Tarts Returns with a Modern Macau Cha Chaan Teng Twist

Nearly two years after its quiet departure, Madeleine’s Original Portuguese Egg Tarts makes a rather unexpected comeback to Singapore’s F&B scene. This time, the revival comes with a youthful energy led by 18-year-old baking enthusiast Vernice Olivia Ong. Working closely with the brand’s original founder, she honours its legacy while steering it into a new chapter — reimagined as a modern Macau cha chaan teng-inspired concept at Aperia Mall.no GST.

What was once a humble takeaway bakery has now evolved into a casual dine-in space, Madeleine at Aperia Mall, offering a wider menu of comforting Macanese-inspired fare, all kept accessible with wallet-friendly pricing and no GST.

Original Egg Tart 3/5

Working closely with Madeleine’s original founder to preserve the brand’s heritage while introducing it to a new generation of diners. Under the original founder’s guidance, the Original Portuguese Egg Tart ($2.50) is naturally the star attraction. Having learnt the original recipe and techniques directly from the founder, Vernice aims to preserve the nostalgic flavours many remember. However, on this visit, the execution felt slightly off. The custard appeared overbaked, taking on a curdled texture rather than the desired silky smoothness. While the pastry retained its signature flakiness, it lacked that crisp, buttery bite that elevates a good egg tart. It’s a decent rendition, but one that still needs fine-tuning to reach its full potential.

Gula Melaka Egg Tart 3/5

A localised twist comes in the form of the Gula Melaka Portuguese Egg Tart ($2.80). Infused with caramelised palm sugar, this version fares slightly better. The custard here was more balanced in texture, avoiding the overbaked consistency of the original. That said, the gula melaka flavour could be more pronounced to truly deliver that rich, smoky sweetness that defines the ingredient.

Pork Chop Bun 3/5

Beyond pastries, the Pork Chop Bun ($5.90) channels classic Macau street-food vibes. Sandwiched between toasted buns, the pork chop is paired with mustard-seed sauerkraut and a sweet shoyu glaze. While the meat wasn’t the most tender, it carried decent seasoning and flavour. It’s a satisfying, no-frills bite, though it stops short of being particularly memorable.

Minchee Rice 2/5

The Minchee Rice ($10.90), often regarded as a staple Macanese comfort dish, comes with minced meat and a hidden onsen egg beneath it. Meant to be mixed together for a harmonious bite, the dish felt rather pedestrian in execution. While hearty in concept, it lacked depth and excitement, coming across as overly simple and underwhelming compared to expectations.

Pan-Roasted African Chicken 3.5/5

A stronger showing comes from the Pan-Roasted African Chicken ($9.80). This signature Macanese dish — influenced by Portuguese colonial history — features tender chicken coated in a rich, aromatic sauce made with peanut butter, coconut milk, and spices. The chicken was flavourful and tender, and the addition of a fried egg and quinoa made it a well-rounded, hearty meal. At under $10, it delivers solid value and stands out as one of the better dishes on the menu.

Madeleine’s Original Portuguese Egg Tarts’ return is both nostalgic and refreshing, especially with a young owner at the helm breathing new life into the brand. While the intention to preserve heritage while innovating is commendable, the execution across some dishes still requires refinement — particularly the signature egg tarts that built its reputation. That said, there is clear potential here. With time and consistency, this revival could very well find its footing and win over a new generation of diners while rekindling fond memories for returning fans.

Note: This is an invited tasting session.


Madeleine's
Aperia Mall
#01-54
12 Kallang Avenue
Singapore 339511
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Nearest MRT: Lavender (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 730am - 6pm
Sat-Sun: 730am - 7pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to the traffic junction of Kallang Road and Lavender Street. Cross the road. Turn left onto Lavender Street. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

Leila @ Teck Lim Road - A Contemporary Blend of Middle Eastern and Balkan Flavours

Leila at Teck Lim Road is a gastrobar serving up a vibrant mix of Middle Eastern and Balkan flavours in a stylish, contemporary setting.

Kubana Bread 2/5

Spicy Plate 4/5

We started with the Kubana Bread ($15), a traditional Yemenite Jewish yeasted bread beloved for its pillowy-soft texture. The dough is typically generously layered with butter before being shaped into pull-apart rolls and baked until golden. While ours arrived with an enticing crust and a soft interior, the bread was slightly denser than expected and seemed to lack the rich, buttery flavour that defines a good Kubana. Thankfully, the accompanying tahini and grated tomato helped elevate it, as did the additional Spicy Plate ($13), which featured earthy grilled peppers, smoky harissa and mellow garlic confit that paired well with the bread.

Nabulus Salad 4/5

The Nabulus Salad ($17) is a chopped salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, pickled onions and mint, providing a refreshing accompaniment to the richer dishes.

Manseef 3/5

The Manseef ($33) comprised minced chicken served over a bed of creamy hummus, finished with harissa and an extra drizzle of tahini. While the dish was enjoyable, I felt that lamb or beef would have been a more suitable choice. Their richer, more robust flavour profile carries the Mediterranean spices and aromatics more effectively than chicken does, adding greater depth and dimension to the dish alongside the creamy, nutty hummus.

Green Chilli Shrimp 4/5

One of Leila’s signatures, the Green Chilli Shrimp ($27), showcased beautifully grilled prawns coated in a herbaceous green tatbila sauce. The freshness of the herbs came through nicely, though a touch more citrus would have brightened the dish and added greater vibrancy.

Knafeh 2/5

For dessert, we had the classic Middle Eastern sweet Knafeh ($21). Ours was finished tableside with a pour of sugar syrup, which wasn’t necessary as it sweetened the ice cream as well. I had expected delicate floral notes of rose or orange blossom to perfume the dessert, but the flavours were rather muted. Although the fried kataifi encased a layer of cheese, the pastry seemed slightly overfried, resulting in a dessert that lacked the aromatic complexity and balance I had hoped for.

Leila offers an interesting interpretation of Middle Eastern and Balkan flavours in a contemporary gastrobar setting. With a little more refinement, the menu could better showcase the rich culinary traditions it draws inspiration from.

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Leila
12 Teck Lim Road
Singapore 088387
Tel: +65 8016 4117
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Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 6pm - till late
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk straight down New Bridge Road. Turn right onto Kreta Ayer Road. Walk down Kreta Ayer Road. Turn right onto Keong Saik Road. Walk down Keong Saik Road. Turn left onto Teck Lim Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Walk straight down Neil Road. Turn right onto Teck Lim Road. Walk down Teck Lim Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]