Sanwichio: Eunos’ charming new bakery serving up beautiful bakes

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many turned to baking, and in turn, selling their treats from home. 

While some have since moved on, others did so well that they eventually turned their home-based ventures into full-fledged bakeries. 

One such success story is Sanwichio, a homegrown bakery known for its pretty macarons, creative whole cakes, and delicate confections.

The name Sanwichio was inspired by macarons, often called “pretty sandwiches”, combining “sandwich” with “chio” (pretty) — to form a playful, distinctly Singaporean name.

Behind Sanwichio is 27-year-old Liu Tzu Ting, who first discovered her love for baking through YouTube tutorials and baking classes. 

Her journey began in secondary school, when she made s’more cookies and macarons for a Valentine’s Day event. Encouraged by glowing feedback from friends, she began sharing her creations on Instagram.

When the pandemic hit, Tzu Ting decided to take her passion further, turning her hobby into a home-based business. 

From her kitchen came whole cakes in inventive flavours, macarons, and other dainty bakes that quickly gained a loyal following online.

“Because it started from baking for family and friends, the way I make things has stayed the same — using good ingredients, keeping them less sweet, and being generous with portions,” says Tzu Ting.

What began at home has since grown into a brick-and-mortar bakery at Millage, a condominium in Eunos, which officially opened its doors in late October. 

What makes it extra special is that each order is built around the joy of gifting, with small touches such as illustrated cards and thoughtful packaging.

All of Sanwichio’s adorable graphics are designed by Tzu Ting, who graduated from NTU’s School of Art, Design and Media (ADM) in animation — an extra cute touch to her already aesthetic-looking bakes.

What’s available in-store

As the store is still in its soft-launch phase, walk-in customers can choose from only a handful of offerings that’s available in small quantities, for now.

First up are the heart-shaped macarons, offered in two flavours — raspberry and dark chocolate — sold in bottles of four (S$9) or six (S$14). The macarons are light on the sweetness, in comparison to similar bakes on the market, with a delicate shell and smooth, flavourful filling that make it an easy indulgence, without being cloying.

Another favourite is the cake roll, available in dark chocolate (S$14), earl grey mochi (S$15), and black sesame mochi (S$16). We tried the earl grey flavour, which carries a light, fragrant tea aroma and a subtle sweetness, paired with a soft sponge and a gentle mochi chew that manages to avoid being overly sticky. 

We couldn’t give the classic tiramisu a miss, either. It comes in two flavours: The classic cacao (S$14), offering a lighter, less dense texture that we appreciated for not being jelak (overly rich), and the pistachio strawberry (S$16), a refreshing twist on the classic.

The latter is an especially enjoyable option, if you’re looking to try something new — slightly nutty with a gentle tang from the strawberry, and yes, it’s really pretty, too!

These goodies are pretty hard to resist, so if you’re planning to walk in, it’s best to come early or place a pre-order to avoid disappointment, as quantities are limited while Sanwichio works out the teething issues.

You can also pre-order its other bakes, such as whole cakes in flavours — hojicha lime lychee, black sesame soy, or chocolate overture (S$65 each), on its website — perfect for special occasions or a little indulgence.

For more ideas on what to eat, check out the newly opened Acai Teahouse in Clarke Quay, and Marlow’s Deli,  a new focaccia sandwich spot.