About Ren Ren Desserts

Located in the basement of Siglap Centre, Ren Ren Desserts is run by Mr and Mrs Tang, better known as Wilson and Elsie by their regulars and friends. The shop is homely and no-frills, down to the wooden signboard in black and gold paint and the Chinese and Cantonese oldies playing in the background while they work. While Uncle Wilson and Auntie Elsie have been here for the past two years, faithfully serving up desserts to a small but loyal clientele, the business has been running for close to two decades.

Uncle Wilson’s decision to make desserts was somewhat unexpected. Coming from a family of cooks, he was expected to join the family tze char business, but his training in a catering school, subsequent experience working in Western cuisine, and a love for traditional Chinese desserts led him to open up Ren Ren. While business was initially brisk when they first started up in Chinatown in 2000, rising costs and poor conditions led them to relocate, by chance eventually settling in Katong, closer to their home in the east. After 10 years at Katong, fatigue and family matters resulted in a brief hiatus before they reopened at their current location in Siglap.

Although Ren Ren sells traditional desserts, they are in no way content with stagnation, and are intent on keeping up with the times in whatever ways they can, including setting up a Facebook page for the business and taking opportunities to find new recipes on their frequent trips abroad, and adapt them. Uncle Wilson calls these trips “a mix of work and play”, a way to make time for life in the otherwise endless cycle of work, especially as age catches up with them.

When we ask about the things that keep them going, he tells us simply, “It’s something to do, and it’s a way to challenge myself to make something of good taste. There’s a sense of satisfaction when customers enjoy the desserts that we make.” While trendy cafés and food crazes have come and gone over the years, it is this dedication that has kept Ren Ren going strong, slowly and steadily simmering like the pots that sit on their stove.

Share with us about the name of the shop. What does Ren Ren mean?

Uncle Wilson: That was her (Auntie Elsie’s) idea, she came up with the name. (laughs)

Auntie Elsie: The word ‘ren’ (仁) refers to nuts and seeds, which are important ingredients to us, like almonds (杏仁) and peanuts (花生仁). It also sounds the same as the word for person (人), so calling the shop that was our wish that this would be a place everyone (人人) would come to.

What do you think the appeal of traditional desserts is?

Uncle Wilson: It’s a different kind of enjoyment from cafés, because it’s a very localised experience. For our middle-aged customers and those who are retired, it’s a nice simple meal or light snack, and we try to make it a family dining experience. For younger people, they like that it offers something different from most cafés and modern dessert places.

Auntie Elsie: I think it’s because we have something for everyone. Our middle-aged customers come mostly for the hot desserts, and the younger people for the cold desserts, though some of them also do appreciate the traditional desserts. Besides that, we also serve savoury cooked foods for people who want something a little more filling. It makes a difference that we really put effort and heart into preparing the food. We’re sincere and don’t cut corners, and people can sense that.

Article Written and Photo Credits to: SHENTONISTA (https://shentonista.sg)

SHENTONISTA met up with Ren Ren Desserts and wrote an awesome story about us, read their article to know more about us via a Q&A.