Dona Manis vs Auntie Peng: Which Katong Banana Pie Is Better?

We tried Dona Manis and Auntie Peng to see which is better

Having long been a patron of Katong Mei Wei Chicken Rice at Katong Shopping Centre, my usual post-meal routine was always to head down to the basement and grab a slice of the famous banana pie from Dona Manis Cake Shop. However, during one visit in 2024, I realised my eyes were not playing tricks on me—there were now not one, but two banana pie shops. The almost identical Auntie Peng Banana Pie had appeared right beside my old haunt, leaving me wondering which one I should go for. 

You would be forgiven for thinking they were the same. Both have a simple, no-frills setup, with a glass display cabinet lined with pies at the front, alongside a checkout counter and a small kitchen tucked behind the takeaway kiosk. The only difference is the price: Dona Manis charges $4 per slice, while Auntie Peng charges $3.30.

As I later discovered, the two brands are independent businesses, but a shared history ties them together. Dona Manis was the first to plant its roots, having been founded in 1992 by co-founders Mr Tan Tieow Teong and Madam Soh Toh Lang—affectionately known as Auntie Peng. Having operated for more than three decades, the bakery has since built a loyal following mainly for its iconic old-school banana pies. 

While Mr Tan sadly passed away in October 2023, Madam Soh and her family left the business in March 2024 before opening Auntie Peng directly next door, citing differences in business goals. Her family has maintained that Madam Soh was the creator of the original recipe, and that this is the key differentiating factor between the two stores. However, Esther Tan, the daughter of the late Mr Tan, has also shared that her father passed the original recipe down to her and that she has since further refined it. 

Despite both businesses insisting there is no bad blood between them, it did not stop fans from fuelling a rivalry between the two brands. And if you look and taste closely enough, there are actually noticeable differences in style and flavour between the two. 

Starting with the foundation of the pie, the crust, Dona Manis had a noticeably thinner base than Auntie Peng’s. Both were incredibly aromatic and buttery, with a crumbly texture that sets them apart from the average smooth pie surface.

Scattered across the top were roughly chopped almond chunks and toasted coconut flakes, with Dona Manis using larger pieces, resulting in a more satisfying bite.

Moving on to the heart of the banana pies—the filling. Dona Manis once again stood out with its massive banana chunks. They were evidently riper, appearing much browner than Auntie Peng’s, which gave them a sweeter, more caramelised flavour. 

This also made the bananas softer and, crucially, more moist. However, this added moisture saturated the thinner bottom crust, leaving it slightly mushy and flimsy. 

On the other hand, Auntie Peng’s use of much fresher and firmer bananas helps maintain their structural integrity, forming a solid cookie-like shell that, although slightly drier, retains a pleasant chunkiness.

It also carried a nice salted flavour, which provides a savoury contrast to the sweetness of the bananas, ensuring the tart is well-balanced. 

So which shop wins the battle of the banana pies? They are two very different flavour profiles suited to different palates. As someone who prefers prominent flavours, I am a bigger fan of the indulgent experience Dona Manis provides. Despite its slightly soggier crust and higher price point, the satisfaction from its rich, sweeter caramelised bananas compensates for that. To help mitigate this, we recommend consuming the pie as soon as possible after purchase, before the crust has time to absorb moisture.

That is not to diminish the quality of Auntie Peng’s classic offering, which tastes lighter and has a more balanced overall profile that appeals to those who prefer a healthier option. After all, that is supposedly the original recipe!

For other delightful bakes, check out our list of the best dessert spots in Singapore, or our guide to the best bakeries that you must try. 

Dona Manis Cake Shop
Address: 865 Mountbatten Road, #B1-93, Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 5pm
Tel: 6440 7688
Website
Dona Manis Cake Shop is not halal-certified but uses no pork or lard.

Auntie Peng Banana Pie
Address: 865 Mountbatten Road, B1-92/#01-26, Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 6pm
Tel: 8088 9639
Auntie Peng Banana Pie is not halal-certified. 

Photos taken by Nathania Tay.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.sg