Chu and Co: Hidden artisanal sourdough bakery in Serangoon Garden

Not all hidden gems in Singapore are overrated, and it’s time to un-gatekeep this well-loved artisanal sourdough bakehouse in the north-east!

Housed along a quiet street of Lichfield Road — a stone’s throw away from the heart of Serangoon Garden — Chu and Co is a hidden bakery with a rustic, al fresco “backyard garden” space.

Don’t let its offbeat location fool you, though — there’s an enticing assortment of sourdough bakes and pastries to expect — just the spot for sourdough lovers!

Helmed by founders Rui and Ling who have prior experience at Micro Bakery and various restaurant kitchens, Chu and Co began as a creative space to experiment with bold, yet unique flavours.

That’s why you’ll notice a rotating variety of breads and viennoiseries on its display counter — all freshly baked in-house using speciality flour and quality ingredients.  

Moreover, this humble two-woman team churns out a wide range of breads — more than a staggering 20 variations daily, and even more, on the weekend! 

This is only possible because the duo comes in as early as 3.30am to start preparing for the day.

“Honestly, it’s very tiring but it’s the sense of fulfilment and the community that keeps us going.” Rui recalls. “It’s so cute when you watch the babies and dogs chilling here during the weekends.” She adds that the pair still hopes to carry on the business for as long as they can.

When we stepped into Chu and Co, we fell in love with its laidback and homely atmosphere, especially with the open view of the kitchen and plenty of greenery around us — reminding me a little of a countryside bakery.

Chu and Co focuses more on takeaway, at present, but you’ll spot an assortment of camping chairs, benches, and stools for seating.

If you’re in the mood to picnic, you can even help yourself to the mats provided for a handy, no-frills seat, while enjoying its bakes.

Oh, did we mention: Its al fresco space is pet-friendly, too!

A feast for the eyes and stomach 

We were definitely spoilt for choice on our visit to Chu and Co with its wonderfully crafted spread of bakes and bites. These were just some of the items that came highly recommended!

We started off with the otah grilled cheese sando (S$17) with applewood-smoked cheddar and mozzarella cheese. 

Who would have thought that otah and cheese would be such a pleasant union — Chu and Co’s chunky housemade otah came with quite a bit of a spicy kick, but that helped to cut through the rich creaminess of the cheese.  

Charred to a perfect melt, the oozy, cheesy goodness in between the sandwich was so robust and addictive, too.

The quaddro formagal (S$8) will easily catch the attention of any cheese lover. 

Otherwise known as the four-cheese bread, the bread comes paired with Goodwood honey and a smattering of cracked black pepper, 

The bread itself has a crunchy, yet chewy interior, with slight tangy undertones that help to balance the otherwise savoury bread.

The “Yum” tuna mix with lemongrass, cilantro and toasted rice powder (S$8.50) was something familiar, but still left us wanting more. 

In the simplest of terms, it reminded us of a tuna puff from the iconic Polar Puffs and Cakes’ bakery, but this is definitely a zhng-up (upgraded) version that’s been elevated with vibrant, herbaceous flavours.

Its danish base is made with yeasted pastry and a touch of sourdough for extra flavouring.

The end result? A texture that’s much more flaky than usual, while remaining light and soft on the inside. 

Last on the list is the garlic confit, chive, garlic butter and scamorza cheese (S$8) — an interesting combination that’s not often seen in other bakeries. 

Garlic lovers will thoroughly enjoy the whole, roasted cloves that are nestled within the bread for an added touch of nuttiness and sweetness. 

Meanwhile, the slightly piquant and milky scamorza cheese blends well with the savoury-rich notes of the bun — perfect for a satisfying midday treat, or for snacking in between meals.

No trip down to the bakery is complete without a caffeine fix. So, hop next door for drinks such as long black (S$5), latte (S$5.50), and matcha latte (S$6.50). 

Though some might say Chu and Co’s offerings are a tad on the pricey side, it’s worth a splurge for its unique bakes that are good for sharing, too. 

For its brimming selection of sweet and savoury bakes, don’t forget to drop by earlier in the morning. We’ll definitely be back for its other crowd-favourites!

For the latest eats, read more about Korean contemporary steakhouse Gu:um’s recent weekend steak brunch and a new French brunch spot Bonjour by Ma Cuisine. 

Enjoy up to 50% off when you dine with GrabFood Dine Out.

You can also book a ride to Lichfield Road to try Chu and Co.