Bengawan Solo

cake shop — Pasir Ris · Singapore

About Bengawan Solo

Bengawan Solo at White Sands brings one of Singapore's best-loved bakery names to the heart of Pasir Ris. The shop carries the brand's signature range of cakes, kueh (traditional local confectionery), cookies and festive treats — from the famous Pandan Chiffon Cake, which CNN called Singapore's National Cake in 2017, to colourful kueh like Lapis Sagu, Ondeh Ondeh and Kueh Salat, often described as part of perhaps the widest kueh range in Singapore. The brand began in 1979 as a small neighbourhood corner store on the east coast of Singapore, where founder Mrs Anastasia Liew prepared cakes and sweet confections in her modest back kitchen. Named after a song she loved about the Solo River (bengawan being an old Javanese word for river), Bengawan Solo has grown over more than 40 years into an established Singaporean brand synonymous with premium quality cakes and confectionery, popular both with locals and overseas visitors looking for a uniquely Singaporean food gift. Every confection is still prepared in the traditional manner, using the finest and freshest ingredients with absolutely no artificial preservatives. Beyond everyday kueh and butter cakes, the shop covers celebrations of every kind: birthday and licensed character cakes, Christmas log cakes, Mid-Autumn mooncakes, Lunar New Year goodies like pineapple tarts and kueh lapis, and the brand's well-known First Month Celebration vouchers marking a baby's first month.

Bengawan Solo at White Sands, Pasir Ris: Kueh, Pandan Chiffon and Celebration Cakes from a Singapore Icon

Step into Bengawan Solo at #B1-06 of White Sands and you are met with one of Singapore's most familiar and comforting sights: glass cases lined with jewel-coloured kueh, towering pandan chiffon cakes, butter cookies and layered kueh lapis. This Pasir Ris shop brings the full range of a brand that has been part of Singapore's sweet tooth for more than four decades.

From a Home Kitchen to a Household Name

The first Bengawan Solo Cake Shop opened in 1979 as a small neighbourhood corner store at Marine Terrace, where founder Mrs Anastasia Liew baked cakes, kueh and sweet confections in a modest back kitchen. The name comes from a song she loved about the Solo River — bengawan being an old Javanese word for river. What began as a home business is now an established Singaporean brand synonymous with premium quality cakes and confectionery.

Growth came steadily. A branch at Centrepoint on Orchard Road followed in 1983, and in 1987 the company opened a central kitchen in Harvey Road, pioneering the central kitchen concept for confectioneries in Singapore. Production later consolidated in Woodlands, with facilities since certified to HACCP standards. In 1998 the brand opened its first airport branch at Changi Terminal 1, quickly becoming a favourite with travellers picking up a uniquely Singaporean premium food gift, and in 2019 a flagship store opened at Jewel Changi Airport — complete with a demonstration counter where visitors can watch signature cakes like kueh lapis being made.

What to Pick Up at the Counter

Bengawan Solo's single most famous creation is the Pandan Chiffon Cake, which CNN named Singapore's National Cake in 2017 — light, fragrant and unmistakably local. Alongside it sits the signature kueh lapis, its many delicate layers prepared the time-honoured way with premium ingredients and no artificial preservatives, a commitment the brand has kept since Mrs Liew's kitchen days.

The kueh selection is a highlight in itself, often described as perhaps the widest range in Singapore: Lapis Sagu with its striking layered colours, chewy Ondeh Ondeh, Kueh Salat with its pandan custard over glutinous rice, and more. The cookie counter covers both festive and everyday cravings — pineapple tarts that are a Lunar New Year must-have, Macadamia Sugee Cookies and traditional Kueh Bangkit coconut cookies — while butter cakes and rolls handle the daily teatime slot.

Cakes for Every Milestone

Celebrations are where Bengawan Solo truly comes into its own. The celebration cake range sits beside an extensive line of licensed character cakes — Disney's Frozen, Disney Princess, Mickey & Friends, Avengers, Spiderman, Paw Patrol, Transformers and many more — making it a reliable stop for children's birthdays.

The brand also holds a special place in Singapore family traditions. In the mid-1990s it revolutionised the custom of marking a baby's first month — traditionally celebrated with cakes, red eggs and Angku Kueh — by introducing First Month Celebration vouchers redeemable at stores island-wide. Wedding ranges and vouchers round out the big occasions.

The calendar brings its own highlights: pineapple tarts and kueh lapis for Lunar New Year, mooncakes for Mid-Autumn, and delightful log cakes for Christmas. For Pasir Ris residents, having all of this at White Sands means the season's favourites are never far away.

A Uniquely Singaporean Gift

Whether it is a box of kueh for the family table, a character cake for a birthday party or cookies and kueh lapis as a food gift for friends overseas, the White Sands shop distils what has made Bengawan Solo a household name: homemade quality maintained for over 40 years, traditional methods, and a range that celebrates Singapore's own confectionery heritage.

Signature items

  • Pandan Chiffon Cake
  • Kueh Lapis
  • Lapis Sagu
  • Pineapple Tarts
  • Ondeh Ondeh
  • Kueh Bangkit

Menu

Cookies

  • Pineapple Tarts (330g) — Buttery tarts with pineapple jam — a signature Lunar New Year must-have.
  • Macadamia Sugee Cookies — Crisp sugee cookies studded with macadamia nuts.
  • Kueh Bangkit (Coconut Cookies) — Delicate traditional coconut cookies from the festive cookie range.

Signatures

  • Kueh Lapis (1.2kg) — Rich many-layered cake, prepared the time-honoured way with premium ingredients.
  • Pandan Chiffon (R) — Light, fragrant pandan cake that CNN dubbed Singapore's National Cake in 2017.
  • Lapis Sagu — Colourful layered kueh and one of the shop's best-loved signature pieces.

Specialty Kueh

  • Ondeh Ondeh — Chewy pandan kueh balls with a gula melaka centre, rolled in grated coconut.
  • Kueh Salat — Traditional kueh of pandan custard set over a glutinous rice base.

Celebration Cakes

  • Celebration Cakes — Cakes for birthdays and milestones in a range of designs and sizes.
  • Log Cakes — Delightful Christmas log cakes for the yuletide season.

Seasonal & Festive

  • Mooncakes — Mid-Autumn mooncakes made for gifting and sharing.
  • Chinese New Year Goodies — Festive favourites such as pineapple tarts and kueh lapis for the Lunar New Year.

Butter Cakes & Rolls

  • Butter Cakes & Rolls — Classic butter cakes and soft rolls from the everyday bakery range.

First Month Celebrations

  • First Month Celebration Vouchers — Vouchers redeemable for first-month cakes at Bengawan Solo stores island-wide.

Licensed Character Cakes

  • Disney's Frozen — Frozen-themed licensed cake design for fans of the film.
  • Disney Princess — Character cake featuring the classic Disney princesses.
  • Mickey & Friends — Cake design starring Mickey Mouse and his friends.
  • Avengers — Superhero team cake design from the licensed range.
  • Spiderman — Spiderman-themed cake for superhero fans.
  • Batman — Batman-themed cake from the licensed character line.
  • Paw Patrol — Paw Patrol cake design popular with younger children.
  • PJ Masks — PJ Masks-themed cake for little heroes.
  • Winnie the Pooh — Gentle Winnie the Pooh character cake design.
  • Transformers — Transformers-themed cake from the licensed range.
  • My Little Pony — My Little Pony cake design for young fans.
  • Disney Pixar Cars — Cars-themed character cake design.
  • Superman — Superman cake from the DC licensed line.
  • Justice League — Justice League team-up cake design.
  • DC Superhero Girls — DC Superhero Girls-themed cake design.
  • Sofia The First — Sofia The First character cake for young princess fans.
  • Disney Princess Kingdom — Princess kingdom scene rendered as a cake design.
  • Disney Princess Adventure — Adventure-styled Disney princess cake design.

Frequently asked questions

Where is this Bengawan Solo branch located?
It is at #B1-06 White Sands, 1 Pasir Ris Central St 3, Singapore 518457, in the heart of Pasir Ris.
What is Bengawan Solo most famous for?
Its Pandan Chiffon Cake — called Singapore's National Cake by CNN in 2017 — along with kueh lapis and what is perhaps the widest range of kueh in Singapore, including Lapis Sagu, Ondeh Ondeh and Kueh Salat.
Do the products contain preservatives?
No. Each confection is prepared in the traditional manner using the finest and freshest ingredients with absolutely no artificial preservatives.
Can I order a licensed character birthday cake here?
The brand carries a wide licensed range including Disney's Frozen, Disney Princess, Mickey & Friends, Avengers, Spiderman, Paw Patrol, PJ Masks and more. Check with the shop on designs and lead times for your celebration.
Does the shop sell festive treats?
Yes, subject to season: pineapple tarts and kueh lapis for Lunar New Year, mooncakes for Mid-Autumn, and log cakes for Christmas.
Are Bengawan Solo products good as gifts?
Definitely — the brand is a firm favourite as a uniquely Singaporean premium food gift, a reputation built since its airport stores opened in 1998.
What is a First Month Celebration voucher?
Introduced by Bengawan Solo in the mid-1990s, these vouchers modernised the tradition of giving out cakes, red eggs and Angku Kueh when a baby turns one month old, and can be redeemed at stores island-wide.

Tips

  • {"body":"It is the cake CNN crowned Singapore's National Cake in 2017 and the brand's single most iconic item.","title":"Pick up the pandan chiffon first"}
  • {"body":"Mix and match the wide kueh range — Lapis Sagu, Ondeh Ondeh and Kueh Salat make a colourful, typically Singaporean spread.","title":"Build a kueh box"}
  • {"body":"Lunar New Year pineapple tarts and kueh lapis, Mid-Autumn mooncakes and Christmas log cakes are seasonal — sort them early to avoid missing out.","title":"Plan ahead for festive seasons"}
  • {"body":"The licensed character cake range spans Frozen, Disney Princess, Paw Patrol, Avengers and more — confirm designs and timing with the shop.","title":"Kids' birthdays sorted"}
  • {"body":"Cookies like Kueh Bangkit and Macadamia Sugee, plus kueh lapis, are classic uniquely-Singaporean food gifts for friends and family abroad.","title":"Gifts that travel well"}

Good to know

  • {"family":"Licensed character cakes for kids' birthdays and First Month Celebration vouchers for newborns.","dietary":"All items made with no artificial preservatives, using fine, fresh ingredients."}