Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring stands as one of Singapore's most celebrated halal street food institutions, with roots tracing back to the 1930s and officially established in 1985. Founded by Mohamad Hashim who learned the traditional recipe from his grandmother, this fourth-generation family business is now managed by his daughter Aisha Hashim and her husband, preserving authentic preparation methods that have remained unchanged for decades. The brand has achieved remarkable international recognition, earning a Michelin Plate award in 2019 and being featured in Netflix's Street Food Asia series, cementing its status as an iconic Singapore culinary destination.
Specializing exclusively in putu piring, these bite-sized steamed rice cakes are made from rice flour encasing a filling of pure gula Melaka palm sugar from Malacca, topped with freshly grated coconut lightly seasoned with salt. The name itself reflects the dish's heritage - 'putu' being a Southern Indian term for steamed rice cake and 'piring' meaning plate in Malay. Each tart is carefully steamed without pressing the flour into the mould, creating an exceptionally soft and fluffy texture that melts in your mouth, while the generous use of top-grade Gula Melaka creates an intensely rich and aromatic filling that has captivated locals and tourists alike.
What began as a roadside stall has expanded to eight outlets across Singapore, with three locations in Geylang alone, yet the original Haig Road Market and Food Centre outlet remains the flagship destination. The sight of endless queues and the fragrant aroma of steamed rice flour, pandan leaves, and caramelized sugar have become synonymous with this halal-certified establishment. Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring represents more than just street food; it embodies the preservation of traditional Malay culinary heritage in modern Singapore, proving that authentic preparation methods and family recipes can achieve global recognition while maintaining their cultural integrity and halal authenticity.