Asia's eggy treats flavoured with history

The origins of Bangkok's egg cakes and Macau's egg tarts come from the connection the locations have with the Portuguese

Thanusingha Bakery House's owner Teepakorn Sudjidjune (left) with the moulds used to make its popular egg cakes (above), a hard-to-find treat in Bangkok. The Santa Cruz Catholic Church (above) is one of the oldest structures the Portuguese built in t
Thanusingha Bakery House's owner Teepakorn Sudjidjune with the moulds used to make its popular egg cakes (above), a hard-to-find treat in Bangkok. PHOTOS: RONAN O'CONNELL
Thanusingha Bakery House's owner Teepakorn Sudjidjune (left) with the moulds used to make its popular egg cakes (above), a hard-to-find treat in Bangkok. The Santa Cruz Catholic Church (above) is one of the oldest structures the Portuguese built in t
Thanusingha Bakery House's owner Teepakorn Sudjidjune (above) with the moulds used to make its popular egg cakes, a hard-to-find treat in Bangkok. PHOTOS: RONAN O'CONNELL
Thanusingha Bakery House's owner Teepakorn Sudjidjune (left) with the moulds used to make its popular egg cakes (above), a hard-to-find treat in Bangkok. The Santa Cruz Catholic Church (above) is one of the oldest structures the Portuguese built in t
The Santa Cruz Catholic Church (above) is one of the oldest structures the Portuguese built in the Catholic Portuguese neighbourhood of Kudichin in Bangkok. PHOTOS: RONAN O'CONNELL
Thanusingha Bakery House's owner Teepakorn Sudjidjune (left) with the moulds used to make its popular egg cakes (above), a hard-to-find treat in Bangkok. The Santa Cruz Catholic Church (above) is one of the oldest structures the Portuguese built in t
Portuguese custard tarts (above), with their soft pastry brimming with creamy custard, are wildly popular in Macau. PHOTOS: RONAN O'CONNELL
Thanusingha Bakery House's owner Teepakorn Sudjidjune (left) with the moulds used to make its popular egg cakes (above), a hard-to-find treat in Bangkok. The Santa Cruz Catholic Church (above) is one of the oldest structures the Portuguese built in t
Portuguese custard tarts, with their soft pastry brimming with creamy custard, are wildly popular in Macau (above). PHOTOS: RONAN O'CONNELL
Ronan O’Connell
Updated
Sep 29, 2019, 05:00 AM
Published
Sep 29, 2019, 05:00 AM
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Mr Teepakorn Sudjidjune is monitoring me like a CCTV camera. There are secrets in this room he does not want exposed to the outside world. They include tools and techniques which his family has safeguarded for five generations.

I am allowed to take photos only in certain areas of the room, with other spaces off-limits to ensure none of their competitors can copy their process.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on September 29, 2019, with the headline Asia's eggy treats flavoured with history. Subscribe

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