We finally have Tutu Kueh in the East! And it's not just any pasar malam tutu kueh, I'm talking about the famous Queensway Lau Tan Tutu Kueh. Most of the popular Tutu Kueh are only available in other parts of Singapore BUT not in the East (Why?) - Clementi, Jurong, Queensway, Havelock, Chinatown, Orchard.... so it is a really nice surprise to find the newly opened stall at Bedok Interchange.

So what exactly is Tutu Kueh? As quoted from National Library of Singapore:

Kuih tutu is made by steaming rice flour in a special mould. First the mould is filled with finely pounded flour. Then a portion of the filling is taken out to make space for the filling. This could be grated coconut or ground peanuts or a combination of both. The grated coconut would have been fried on low heat over several hours and sweetened with gula Melaka (palm sugar). Another layer of rice flour is added to seal the filling and the cake tipped over onto a muslin cloth placed on the steamer. The cakes take on the flower-like shape of the mould. Placed on a cut pandanus leaf before serving, they acquire a sweet flavour and scent. The flour is slightly sweetened so the cakes tastes just as good even without filling and are sometimes sold thus.

I decided to do my own research on this nostalgic snack and I was really surprise to know that...

1. Founded in 1930s by Mr Tan Yong Fa from Fujian, China when he migrated to Singapore. Thus, Tutu Kueh originated from Singapore and not Malaysia.
2. The original cakes were larger than modern-day Tutu Kueh and had no filling.
3. The name came from the sound made from the hot piping steamers and also the Hokkien word for 'push'. 
4. Although very similar, Tutu Kueh is not Putu Piring which originated from South Indian.
5. I'm not sure if they are related but there are two popular Tan Families still selling them in Singapore - Tan's Tutu Coconut Cake and Queensway Lau Tan Tutu Kueh.

And if you are staying in the East, here's the address for the Bedok interchange branch:
Lau Tan @ BEDOK
Bedok North St 1 Blk 205
Kopitiam Coffee Shop
Beside Drinks Stall