The Sweet Farewell of Betis Snacks Shop: A 4‑decade Kueh Empire Says Goodbye
It’s that bittersweet season: when good food (and good people) start packing up. After nearly 40 years of baking Nanyang delights, the owner of Betis Snacks Shop on Bedok North Street 3 has decided it’s time to hand over the sweet-tooth nation to a new generation.
Meet the Big Kahuna: Zheng, the 74‑Year‑Old Cake Maestro
- Born on 1st … sorry, not really relevant, but he’s 74.
- Owner of the shop, the factory, and every bit of kitchen gear.
- Has shelved his entire business (shop + factory + equipment) for a whopping $4 million.
- Hands down, the most profitable cake shop in Singapore? No, just a big sweet pit.
The Origins: From a Chinese‑Indonesian Dream to a Singapore Staple
- Founded in the 1980s by a Chinese‑Indonesian who’d moved to Singapore.
- Zheng joined as a business partner in 1983.
- After the founder popped the final cake, Zheng single‑handed the empire.
Signature Treats That Made Singapore Snack‑Foiled
It’s all about the Nonya kueh—with the famous ang ku kueh and kueh lapis leading the pack. By the company’s hey‑day, they’d churn out roughly 1,000 cakes a day, feeding the likes of ten top‑tier hotels plus countless retail shops throughout the city.
Pivoting in the Face of Competition
With food courts on every corner and a bustling wholesale arena, Zheng moved the focus to supplying buffet operators—a strategic jump from the community to corporate.
Flavor Experiments That Went From “Hmm…” to “Aha!”
- Palm sugar kueh lapis that tastes like a tropical sunrise.
- Mung bean version – a green‑green delight.
- Durian surprise for the brave.
A factory sprouted up in 2004 at Mandai Link to meet the growing demand. Only a trio of years later did the right buyer appear.
The Buyer: A Couple Who’re Learning the Kueh‑Art
Zheng met this duo via a middle man. The couple has been practising the craft since April and expect to be fully ready in a year’s time. “We’re still chatting, no contracts yet,” he says. “But the passion is real.”
Even if the Price Goes Up, He’s Sticking to Plan
“If someone higher‑bids, I’m still bound to go through with this sale,” Zheng declares, keeping the plot tight.
The Emotional Toll of Saying Goodbye
Despite the hefty check, there’s a tinge of sadness. “There’s no successor. Sells a piece of myself,” he admits. His wife and daughter in Canada echo this sentiment.
He envisions a travel break post‑retirement: a figure‑out to Canada with his wife, perhaps a stay that’s “just a splash.”
And that’s the slice of life—Polished like a cake, sweet, sweet, and with a little tinge of bitters.
