Tandem Co is a new Muslim-owned cafe-bakery at Siglap run by a 23-year-old

Tandem Co was born out of a relationship with the community that already existed, which is a big part of what makes this place so endearing. 

You’ll find it on a quiet stretch of Jalan Tua Kong — it’s set among a cluster of landed homes, with a Springleaf Prata on the same row of shops. It sits on the space formerly occupied by Les Mains Bakehouse, and then cafe-bakery Boronas, which relocated in May. 

Then, the Muslim-owned cafe opened just a month later, in June. But really, the owners’ bond with the regulars and nearby residents goes back much further.

Keith Chua, 23, is one of the co-founders of Tandem Co. He had worked at Boronas full-time as a barista.

Prior to that, he worked as a part-timer with the Janice Wong team in 2023, sparking off a love for cafes.

When Boronas relocated to the CBD, it was sad news for many, but Keith knew there was a good thing going. 

In fact, it was the community that had persuaded Keith to keep the space running — it had become an indelible part of the neighbourhood’s routine and he could see how it brought people together. 

This is also how the cafe got its name: A tandem, as Keith tells us, is about bringing people together.

The space plays into that idea of togetherness, with its shelves stocked with old-school games such as chapteh (a feathered shuttlecock) and fei xing qi (aeroplane chess) for customers to play.

He says one of his favourite things about the work is watching customers hang out and chat — you might see a good number of people talking outside Tandem Co, “even if they don’t know each other”, Keith says. 

The cafe also has a pet-friendly al fresco area, and pet owners tend to show up with their furry companions in the mornings.

The cafe’s involvement with the community carries on beyond its doors. It works with Siglap’s residents’ committees (RCs) on events in the area. 

For the coming Halloween festivities, for example, Keith says there are plans to hand out free cookies, put up Halloween decorations, and have the staff dress in costumes. It’s a big deal in the neighbourhood, and the cafe is all for it.

When we asked about his goals for Tandem Co, his answer was refreshingly simple and welcoming: To draw more people to come and hang out, whichever neighbourhood they are from.

Pastries and ice cream

As with any cafe, there’ll be a glass display of pastries to browse, with choices from sweet to savoury. These are baked fresh daily by the team, says Keith.

Our favourites were the classic shio pan (S$4.50) and garlic cream cheese shio pan (S$5.80). 

Our bias towards shio pans aside, these bakes were indulgent, with soft, fluffy interiors and a crispy and lightly salted crust. 

The garlic cream cheese version builds on the base shio pan with a generous filling that isn’t too rich.

Banana bread is another weak spot of mine, and the cafe’s version (S$4.50) did not disappoint. It’s soft without being too dense, and the sweetness of the banana comes through, making it a perfect counterpoint for your coffee.

We also had a go at the cinnamon rolls (S$5.50), which looked pretty good. This did come across a little dry, though.

Rounding out the display: Cheese tomato buns (S$5.50), assorted cookies (S$4.80 per piece), and madeleines (from S$3).

Beside the pastry case, you’ll spot ice cream. Yup, ice cream! 

It is priced at S$6 a scoop, S$11 for a double, and an extra S$1 for premium flavours, cones, or toppings. You can even enjoy a plate of waffle ice cream (from S$10.50)!

We were told that there’s demand for it from children and families as you can’t find another ice cream spot in this neighbourhood — and this has proved popular. 

The ice creams are sourced locally and are halal-certified. These flavours rotate monthly, sometimes with Instagram polls on Tandem Co’s page to let customers decide the month’s picks. 

They also vary based on season. The recent National Day, for instance, featured bandung and Milo Dinosaur. Other popular flavours include pistachio, muah chee, black sesame, and Ferrero Rocher.

We had one of its most popular, the pistachio (S$7), and it’s easy to see why it’s well-loved — its nuttiness is natural — far from those artificial, bright green versions you might see elsewhere — and its smooth, creamy texture makes it even better.

All of the ice cream that we had tried had a good body — neither too soft nor too hard — which made it a joy to eat. The owners declined to name where they are sourced from, but its quality is clear.

The muah chee (S$6) with mochi bits is an interesting one, too. It is light, yet the peanut flavour still comes through. We hear it’s a favourite with the older customers.

If you have a sweet tooth, the Honey Stars (S$6) are worth a look for its novelty, although we found the cereal a little soggy from being mixed into the ice cream. We can see why it’d be popular among the kids, though!

Coffee and tea

When it comes to beverages, the usual cafe suspects are on the menu, too. The cafe sources its coffee locally from Caffeine Solutions, using a medium roast blend called Pilastro, made with beans from Brazil, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam.

Tandem Co also serves a delicious Earl of Melaka (S$7) — a blend of earl grey tea and gula melaka.

I thought it was a well-made drink that I’d happily order again. The floral earl grey and the caramel-like sweetness of the gula Melaka balance each other out perfectly. I would come back just for a coffee variant of this.

If you’re a matcha fan, there’s also a strawberry matcha (S$9.50) on the menu.

Tandem Co doesn’t have a crazy menu, but it’s growing. Some pasta dishes and sides, such as fries and other snacks, are set to launch this month.

If anything, the menu and space feels tailored to the people it serves, tweaked according to feedback and demands. It fits the story behind the concept — one that is ultimately about bringing people together. If you’re looking for a chill place to hang out, Tandem Co is worth considering.

For more ideas on what to eat at Siglap, read on the story behind Pressed By Cheeselads’ 24-hour cheese shop and Burma Social with momos and samosas.