Baked Into the Nation’s Heart: Polar’s Enduring Legacy that Honours Tradition and Embraces Innovation.

In Singapore, the name Polar is synonymous with flaky, golden-brown curry puffs, savory chicken pies, and airy sugar rolls, whether you ask a student or a senior. A grand old dame who will mark its centennial in 2026, Polar Puffs & Cakes (“Polar”) can be found in over 190 locations across Singapore today, from schools and retail shops in the heartlands, to petrol stations, supermarkets, and convenience stores islandwide. For generations of Singaporeans, Polar has been the preferred choice for high-quality pastries and cakes, perfect for everything from everyday snacks and celebrations, to on-the-go bites and office meetings.

The beginnings of Polar, its first café along High Street, opened in 1926

CRAFTED IN HIGH STREET, LOVED ACROSS GENERATIONS

Founded in 1926, Polar began as a modest one-shophouse unit café – Polar Café at 51 High Street, near the old Supreme Court and Parliament House. It quickly gained popularity among expatriates, government employees, and legal professionals, earning a reputation for its signature curry puffs and for its hospitality. As one of the only Western-style café serving milkshakes and an assortment of puffs and pastries, it pioneered the trend of Western cafés in Singapore and became a favourite haunt for dating couples during that period. Remarkably, it remained open during the Japanese Occupation (1942–1945), demonstrating resilience during this difficult period.

In early 1986, it closed to make way for the development of the new Parliament House, but by December that same year, it temporarily reopened at Lucky Plaza, before moving to Raffles Place. By this time, Polar also established its own production facility at Leng Kee Road to support its growing retail operations.

Subsequently, the brand was renamed Polar Puffs & Cakes, marking the brand's transition from a café-style operation to a takeaway concept that enabled wider expansion.

By 1996, Polar partnered with what was then known as Exxon Corporation to supply the convenience store counters in Esso Service Stations islandwide. Simultaneously, Polar started to expand to retail malls, which increased its distribution network and visibility. As demand surged, Polar subsequently grew its footprint across Singapore’s heartlands, becoming a household staple.

Retail outlet at Causeway Point with full display of pastries and cakes

To accommodate this rapid growth, Polar relocated its head office to Woodlands and established a 25,000-square-foot production facility.

Today, Polar remains one of Singapore’s most cherished homegrown food and beverage brands, recognised for affordability, quality, and tradition.

WHERE TRADITION MEETS INNOVATION

At the heart of Polar’s success lies its two state-of-the-art, HACCP- and Halal-certified manufacturing facilities, which reflect the highest standards of food safety and adherence to Islamic dietary laws. These certifications instil confidence in consumers while enabling the brand to thrive in multi-cultural and religiously diverse markets like Singapore.

Capable of producing over eight million pastries annually, the facilities are where over 100 varieties of pastries, cakes, and other confectioneries are baked fresh daily with a handmade quality. To preserve Polar confection’s irreplaceable flavour and texture, each product is crafted using high-quality ingredients and traditional techniques honed over generations.

A firm favourite is Polar’s signature curry puff. Combining a secret curry chicken recipe with flaky, French-style pastry, this iconic puff has inspired several variations, including black pepper, tuna, and vegetable puffs to suit a wide range of palates. But it was the original that was crowned the number one curry puff in Singapore when it was pitted against 50 contenders in a blind taste test.

Another bestseller is the Chicken Pie, a derivative of the curry puff, filled with tender chicken chunks, mushrooms, and mixed vegetables encased in buttery pastry, baked to golden crisp perfection.

On the sweet spectrum, Polar’s Sugar Roll remains a perennial favourite. Often selling out daily, this light, airy hand-rolled sponge with cream has undoubtedly captured the hearts and sweet tooth of the nation. To cater to changing consumer preferences, Polar rolled out new flavours of its Sugar Roll, including pandan, chocolate, and strawberry, as well as exotic fruity flavours such as golden mango and lychee rose.

To appeal to families and engage a younger demographic, Polar has strategically expanded its range of cakes by collaborating with popular franchises like Marvel, DC, and Pixar. It now boasts the largest selection of licensed character cakes in Singapore. With this move, the Polar brand name continues to live on across generations.

Indeed, it is this unwavering commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and continual research and development (R&D) efforts that has enabled Polar to blend and mix confections for Singaporeans for nearly 100 years.

In addition to flavour innovation, Polar’s R&D extends to its sustainability efforts as well. With the aim of minimising their carbon footprint, Polar has made the switch from conventional plastic bags to an oxo-biodegradable plastic bag that is certified with the Singapore Green Label. This limited-time packaging solution is designed for both recycling and upcycling, with guidance shared via Polar’s social platforms to encourage eco-conscious behaviour.

UPLIFTING COMMUNITIES WITH HEART

As the first employer partnered with Singapore’s Yellow Ribbon Project, Polar’s pastry production – also known as New Hope - provides meaningful training and employment opportunities to the prison inmates, equipping them with practical skills to rediscover stability, purpose, and solidarity in the society. Polar’s corporate social responsibility efforts also extend to thoughtful community engagement, with a focus on uplifting seniors and underprivileged children and youth in Singapore.

Beyond offering jobs, Polar has demonstrated deep solidarity by actively participating in the annual Yellow Ribbon Run, rallying colleagues and community members alike in support of the cause. Their consistent presence at the event amplifies public awareness, raises vital funds for rehabilitation programmes, and reinforces the message that second chances are both possible and embraced.

Focused on its Christian beliefs of serving those in need, Polar’s corporate social responsibility efforts extend to thoughtful community engagement, with a focus on uplifting seniors and underprivileged children and youth in Singapore.

Over the years, their community outreach initiatives have included supporting Children for Children (CFC)and Glyph Community through food sponsorships and fundraising carnivals; partnering with the CapitaLand Hope Foundation to deliver festive blessings to isolated Muslim seniors during Hari Raya; and bringing Chinese New Year cheer to seniors through Montfort Care.

Polar has also partnered with non-profit organisations such as Touch Community Services, Asian Women's Welfare Association (AWWA), Lion Befrienders, and St Luke’s Eldercare to honour and empower Singapore’s seniors. This includes the development of senior-friendly, nutrition-conscious products such as lower-sugar cakes.

Internally, Polar hires senior staff in roles that leverage their experience, supported through tailored training and mentorship programmes. Notably, Polar has a life-long working plan with no retirement and retrenchment policy, a reflection of its belief that seniors not only contribute meaningfully to operations, but also help to preserve the warm, personal spirit that defines the brand.

JOURNEY OF RECOGNITION

Polar’s earnest and uncompromising commitment to embracing all levels of the community for nearly a century, along with its deep imprint on Singapore’s foundation and identity, is reflected in the accolades it has earned through the decades.

Since 2016, Polar has proudly been recognised in the Excellent Service Award (EXSA) programme almost every year, with a growing number of team members honoured for their outstanding service – from just two Silver awardees in 2016 to an impressive 84 recipients in 2024. This national recognition celebrates the team’s genuine warmth, attentiveness, and consistent efforts to go the extra mile for every customer – a commitment that reflects the heart of their brand.

In 2022, Polar’s reputation as an employer was lauded when the company was named among Singapore’s Best Employers. This comprehensive study assessed workplace attractiveness through an independent employee survey, incorporating tens of thousands of evaluations, thousands of worker opinions, and hundreds of company scores to determine the top employers in Singapore. One of Polar’s longest-serving staff members has been with the company for 39 years - a powerful affirmation of its continued ranking as one of Singapore’s Best Employers.

In 2024, Polar was recognised as a Top Brand in the Bakery category by the Influential Brands Award, a testament to its dedication to excellence and innovation. In the same year, Polar received the SkillsFuture Employer (Silver) Award, personally presented by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. This accolade recognised our organisation’s dedication to creating a dynamic culture of lifelong learning, empowering every team member to grow and thrive.

PRESERVING HERITAGE, EMBRACING CHANGE

This accolade recognised the company’s dedication to creating a dynamic culture of lifelong learning, empowering every team member to grow and thrive.

At Polar, heritage is not seen as something to preserve in isolation, but rather as a foundation to build upon.

Driving product innovation with Dr Chan Kok Yew, Executive Chairman of Polar Puffs & Cakes

As a third-generation family-owned brand, family has played a pivotal role in shaping Polar’s identity. Dr Chan Kok Yew, the current managing director, continues the legacy of excellence inherited from his grandfather, founder Chan Hinky. His leadership reflects a thoughtful balance between honouring the past and positioning the brand for long-term success.

Indeed, the concept of heritage is deeply entwined in Polar’s business and vision. At Polar, heritage is not seen as something to preserve in isolation, but rather as a foundation to build upon - a living tradition that increases in strength with every generation.

Over the decades, Polar has carefully maintained its time-honoured recipes, handmade baking techniques, and its hallmark of warm, personal service. Many of its beloved confections, like the hand-rolled Sugar Roll, are still crafted today using the same methods that defined them nearly a century ago. This commitment makes it possible for new generations to experience the same comforting flavours that their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents grew up on.

In addition to recipes and techniques, Polar has also preserved significant artefacts like archival photographs, vintage packaging, and original handwritten recipes. These chronicle the brand’s near 100-year history and underscore its iconic place in Singapore’s food heritage.

Our diverse and dedicated production team in action

At the same time, Polar has been in sync with the times and modernised its operations. It has invested in automated production lines, embraced digitalisation and e-commerce, forged strategic partnerships, reinvigorated its brand, and driven product innovation - all to adapt to shifting consumer preferences and market trends, increase accessibility, and remain true to the roots that define it.

Polar also promotes internal knowledge transfer through on-the-job training, mentoring, and skill-sharing, ensuring that the traditional craftsmanship and values at the heart of the brand are preserved and passed down from long-serving staff to new team members.

With its resolve to preserve its heritage while embracing the modern world, Polar is poised to continue bringing comfort, joy, and longstanding tradition to every Singapore household with every puff, pie, and roll it bakes.

As Polar prepares to celebrate its 100th year in 2026, plans are already in motion to bring its beloved heritage beyond Singapore’s shores, sharing the brand’s unique blend of tradition and innovation with a wider regional audience.