August 30, 2022
GEORGE TOWN – A bakery in Penang has always ushered in National Day in a colourful and sweet way.
Sin Ka Oon owner Lim Chuan, 62, who was born on Malaysia Day, said they would usually sell National Day-themed cakes two to three days before the celebration.
“To mark this special occasion, we will decorate our cakes with icing featuring the colours of our Jalur Gemilang.
“My aunts, uncle and father started this business selling bread from a roadside stall along a five-foot way before moving into this shop on Oct 14, 1957.
“We were the only authorised bread distributor on Penang island back then. We also sold sundry supplies like canned food and dried items. Then, we ventured into baking our own bread, pastries, cakes and biscuits.
“My aunts and uncle started the business with the name Ka Oon 65 years ago and we are now called Sin Ka Oon Bakery Sdn Bhd.
“Since our shop is located strategically near a bus stop, we always had customers, especially foreigners, getting supplies from us before going up Penang Hill,” he said when met at his shop in Ayer Itam.
Lim said they started as a small family business, adding that the bakery had expanded to more than 20 staff members over the years.
Today, it occupies three shoplots.
“I have been helping out here since I was 21.
“Last time, there was no such thing as a recipe book or searching on the Internet for recipes. We learned from our suppliers and through trial and error, besides learning from both my aunts.
“Some of our specialities include pandan chiffon cake, kaya bread, kaya spread, cinnamon rolls as well as fresh cream puffs.
“We are well-established as a neighbourhood bakery and have many regular customers who have become our friends over the years,” he said.