“Oh, do you know the muffin man?
The muffin man, the muffin man.
Do you know the muffin man
Who lives in Drury Lane?”
Tanjong Pagar is a sight for sore eyes. Located in Singapore’s CBD, its vivid historic buildings are set upon the background of skyscrapers and high-rise apartments, a juxtaposition of old and new I inferred was the hallmark of Singapore. Many of the buildings had been converted into small businesses such as restaurants, shops, and cafes; these establishments were blessed with an old-school charm thanks to the structures’ classical architecture and colorful surroundings.
One of these establishments was Drury Lane, home of the Muffin Man. While the man does love baked goods, you’d be surprised to know that he’s even more passionate about coffee. Behind a set of bright red doors, you can find him brewing away in his cozy little shop.
The first thing that’ll catch your eye when you enter the shop is the wall of coffee bags from various roasteries, shops, and of various origins and blends parallel to the baristas’ counter making for a one-of-a-kind wallpaper. Unlike most coffee shops, Drury Lane didn’t have an in-house roastery or a go-to set of blends; here, they changed their coffee selection every two weeks, which allowed their customers to get a taste of everything and kept things vibrant and exciting. At the time of my visit, a Papuan origin called Sero Bebes from 49th Parallel Coffee Vancouver as well a Guatemalan origin called Finca san Antonio roasted by Papa Palheta were stars of the show.
Other than coffee, Drury Lane had a great selection of mouthwatering sweet treats. Out of all their cakes and bakes, they were most famous for their, you guessed it, muffins. Matcha, kaya, and Nutella smores were just a couple options to satisfy your muffin craving, but if you’re like me and prefer something even more sinfully decadent, you could go for their cinnamon bun; I highly recommend it.
Upstairs was a lofty space full of chattering friends, and lone diners getting to work on their laptops. The focal point of the room was a small blue window above an orange sofa; the perfect spot for those with a good book or magazine in hand.
Downstairs, I met the actual Muffin Man, Chia Hwee, who despite being busy behind the counter was kind enough to tell me the story behind this neighborhood gem. Chia Hwee told me that prior to opening Drury Lane, he had worked at another coffee shop. There, he started to crave opening his own business where he could have creative control and allow the coffee to speak for itself. He believed that coffee could be so much more than just a quick fix in the middle of the day, but something to look forward to and really appreciate. Personally, I believe he had done just that. The quality of the shop’s fare brought crowds of loyal customers into the shop every day and it’s no wonder the shop was almost always full.
I was always a sucker for nursery rhymes and riddles, and to get to see the Muffin Man at Drury Lane was truly a treat. For anyone else who shares my sentiments, you don’t have to worry about diving into children’s books to meet the Muffin Man; you can find in colorful Tanjong Pagar. He might even brew you a cappuccino.
“Oh, yes, I know the muffin man,
The muffin man, the muffin man,
Oh, yes, I know the muffin man,
That lives on Drury Lane.”
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Special thanks to Chia Hwee, the Muffin Man! Drury Lane was a joy to visit and I hope to return soon.
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