Chalk Farm (Paragon)

Chalk Farm has been one of the spots that we do keep at the back of our mind when we are craving for an artisanal Kueh Salat — they are one of the very early players in the scene that ventured into serving up artisanal Kueh in the days where individually-run bakeries have become a little more artisanal than they used to. There was one point of time that Chalk Farm’s original Kueh Salat had pretty much become an icon for the brand — this is despite Chalk Farm being primarily an establishment that does artisanal cream cakes available in slices for retail; this exact Kueh Salat also saw a Durian version that was eventually spun off from it as well. It has been a while since we had properly taken a look at the selection of cakes that Chalk Farm has to offer — this was when we got to know that they had started to offer a Gula Melaka Salat that is yet another spin-off from their original Kueh Salat. Unlike the original Kueh Salat, the Gula Melaka Salat come with a brown hued mousse layer rather than a green coloured one; the mousse in the Gula Melaka Salat featuring Gula Melaka rather than a Pandan one that is found in the typical Kueh Salat that they have to offer.

With that in mind, the Gula Melaka Salat is definitely one for the Gula Melaka lovers; the deep, earthy notes of molasses is particularly evident — not too sweet, but a good balance of everything that matches well with the equally subtly saltish glutinous rice layer below. It also comes as no surprise that the glutinous rice layer also features specks of blue just like the original Kueh Salat that they have to offer; likely coloured from blue pea flower. With the Gula Melaka Salat being priced the same as their usual Kueh Salat at $8.20 a slice, some might see it as a little high-priced but its worth the premium price tag it asks for considering it is also a larger slice after all. That being said, these are best to be gotten earlier in the day so that the mousse layer is still fresh and doesn’t get too “eggy” from sitting around the display for way too long throughout the day.

Absolutely ridiculous price for the quality.

It's not pure durian flesh on top, it's some half custardy thing and the durian flavour was thus not enough. Glutinous rice was ok but not too strong either

Waiting for a quite awhile, no response when we want to pay at the cashier.

One popular cake shop in town, the cake we tried was of pretty good quality!

We had the Pandan Init (~$11.40) which may be quite expensive, but they did gave a big slice. The cake was rich, full of pandan, coconut and gula melaka flavours!

Instead of putting cream in between the pandan sponge cake, they put coconut shavings soaked in gula melaka, which also adds to a variety of textures in the cake.

The cream itself is thicker than usual, and I suspect they whip coconut milk with pandan juice. Lovely!

Actually looking forward to try their other cakes!

Huge slice, can share between 2 easily.

Basically an ondeh ondeh cake that's done immaculately. The sponge was soft, sweetness was balanced, and most importantly the cream was salted which made it super addictive.

A must try, for great execution of a classic

Meringue-super crispy top, with marshmallow, super crispy biscuits, caramel and nuts.

It tastes like snickers in terms of the taste profile, but more balanced and less sweet. Texturally very varied. Not particularly mindblowing but worth a try if you've had their signatures before