Halal-certified Big Mouth Bakehouse, from the team behind Fluff Bakery, is at Geylang Serai

You might be familiar with the OG halal Fluff Bakery located at North Bridge Road — it was a bummer when they closed mid to late last year, especially after having been around since 2013.

It’s not completely gone, though. The same folks behind Fluff Bakery are now at Wisma Geylang Serai — under the name Big Mouth Bakehouse. It opened just weeks ago, in January this year.

Founder Nursyazanna Syaira tells us that the initial plan was, indeed, to close down after facing some struggles with the business.

Then, finding the space at Wisma Geylang felt much like a blessing — and so, their story lives on.

After 13 years, the brand has evolved a lot since it first started. For Syaira herself, she says she’s a much different person from who she was back then, too.

There simply needed to be a reinvention of some sort.

For one, Syaira thought it might be time to move on from cupcakes — something the brand first gained fame for, during the peak of the cupcake craze — despite them having been a staple for so long. She says she and the team were pretty excited to explore other offerings.

She does preface that some things are still here to stay, with its crowd-favourite cookies still lining on the counter for everyone to pick from.

Apart from its more savoury items on the menu, Big Mouth Bakehouse has also incorporated weekend specials, which will be changed up every week. It’s an indicator of the kind of expansion and experimentation the team is moving towards.

A shared space with Penny University

Here’s one thing that stuck — Big Mouth Bakehouse remains partners with popular speciality coffee brand Penny University.

Penny University had been offering Fluff Bakery’s bakes at its own space before the brand closed, so this partnership isn’t new.

But from the looks of it, Big Mouth Bakehouse feels like a baby of the two brands — with a shared menu that brings both ends of their specialities into one cosy space.

It’s very much a neighbourhood-cafe kind of spot.

There’s a small dine-in area that can seat about 20 people, and during non-busy hours, it feels like the perfect place to get some work done with a good cup of coffee.

We visited on a weekday at noon and people continued to stream in throughout the afternoon. The store did look like it would benefit from more seating, especially for its weekend crowd.

With the sound of chatter and laughter bouncing off the walls, the space feels lively and inviting — something that aligns with Syaira’s vision of fostering a sense of community through Big Mouth’s communal tables.

The food menu

Perhaps the most apparent difference lies in Big Mouth Bakehouse’s menu — now with a much stronger savoury focus. And they really do impress.

The focaccia Thai beef salad (S$12.50) sandwich is a definite highlight.

The focaccia bread is baked in-house, done exactly the way I love it —  lightly crisp on the outside, airy and spongy within, yet soft and easy to bite into. It pairs nicely with the minced beef and fresh salad tucked in between.

What made this top contender, though, has to be the chilli.

The Thai green chilli sauce has all the fundamentals of fish sauce, garlic, and green chilli, and its presence truly elevates the dish. It’s punchy, fragrant, and flavourful on its own, and brings everything together with a slightly spicy kick. I could buy an entire jar of the chilli itself.

There are flatbread options too — we tried the laksa mayo heirloom tomato (S$7).

The bread is soft and chewy, with just enough structure to hold its toppings. One bite in and the flavours come through clearly. 

While the laksa mayo appears subtle at first, it reveals itself gradually with each mouthful, and the heirloom tomatoes bring a sweetness that ties everything together.

Salads, brioche, and scones are available too — so yes, Fluff’s iconic sweet stuff haven’t been forgotten.

From the sweet bakes, we had the Matilda cake (S$8). Unlike other Matilda cakes where the chocolate can feel overwhelming and heavily coated, this one sets itself apart.

It’s deeply chocolatey without being cloying, with a slightly darker and more balanced profile that we thoroughly enjoyed. Decadent and indulgent, with just the right spongey, moist bite.

The dulce de leche banana cream pie (S$8.50) is another standout.

The banana comes through nicely, working with the silky cream and buttery crust base for a satisfying bite. Great texture aside, it’s not overly sweet, making it perfect as a snack that doesn’t feel too.

Other sweet bakes include equally tempting flavours — from the classic Basque burnt cheesecake (S$8.50) to earl grey milk chocolate (S$8).

The sweets menu doesn’t stop there, either, with doughnuts, cookies, and waffles to go with your tea or coffee. If there’s one thing Big Mouth knows how to do, it’s bakes.

The drinks menu

There’s one signature you have to get at Big Mouth Bakehouse — the Jamu cooler (Jamu sorbet with Perendjak tea) (S$7.50), and it’s a crowd-favourite, too.

Jamu is a traditional Indonesian turmeric-ginger medicinal drink known for its health benefits, and the brand actually sources it from the wet market beside the store. 

Here, it’s reimagined into a sorbet-style drink layered with Indonesian Perendjak tea.

It’s slightly citrusy and incredibly refreshing, with the tea coming through strongly. We noted that it tastes a little like teh-O ais (iced), with a twang. We enjoyed every sip and would definitely get it again.

The iced dulce de leche sea salt foam latte (S$8) is a pick-me-up coffee indeed. The coffee is well-made and works hand in hand with the dulce de leche and sea salt.

Unlike other versions elsewhere, this one is reduced from fresh milk, instead of condensed milk, resulting in a lighter profile that’s noticeably thinner and less sweet than most — without losing its richness, making it very easy to clear.

It’s Penny University, after all. There’s a whole range of drinks to pair with your food — from solid, well-made coffee, to more interesting ones, such as its lychee oolong tea with sea salt foam (S$8).

We’re glad that the team behind Fluff Bakery is here to stay.

Big Mouth Bakehouse feels like an exciting new chapter; a reinvention that the team clearly craves and is ready for. It’s worth coming down to check out, for its humble yet reliable offerings that stand apart with a distinct neighbourhood feel.

This was a hosted tasting.

For more ideas on what to eat, read on the Lobby Lounge’s White Rabbit candy-inspired afternoon tea and Bedrock Bar & Grill 10 years celebration with a new menu.