Best thing I ate this week: Putu Piring rice cakes

'Best thing I ate' is a series where we share the best things we have eaten around Singapore. Read more here.

What: Putu Piring rice cakes ($2 for 4 pieces)

Where: Ole Ole, 21 Baghdad Street, Singapore 199660

When those in the know mention the saucer-shaped Putu Piring rice cake, they would invariably rave about how good the Haig Road ones

Indeed, they are. But sometimes the thought of travelling all the way to the legendary Haig Road stall in Geylang and having to join the long queue there can be a dissuading factor.

Enter an elderly Malay couple offering the same old-world snack in the heart of bustling Arab Street district. They operate inside Ole Ole, a new cafe which specialises in local drinks and snacks.

On a busy day, you would still have to join the queue and wait for the soft cakes to be steamed after they are made fresh on the spot.

Trust me, it's worth the wait. But first, order the delicious durian chendol or soursop as they're good too.

The four Putu Piring cakes arrive, wrapped in a paper packet, which allows them to absorb the aroma of the pandan leaves on top of them.

Though smaller than the Haig Road ones, the piping hot cakes are nevertheless a mouthwatering delight with the grated coconut and the generous layer of melted palm sugar inside.

Just perfect when you need a tummy filler on a lazy afternoon.

The writer paid for the food reviewed.

chenj@sph.com.sg