SINGAPORE – Get ready to indulge! The iconic banana cakes from Hiap Joo Bakery in Johor Bahru are now just a button press away in Singapore. No need to head across the Causeway for the famously moist treats!

Since May 17, you can find these delicious banana cakes at the Senja Hawker Centre in Bukit Panjang. For just $8.60, each box contains 10 pieces of pure delight, and the chilled vending machine can hold up to 48 boxes, restocked twice daily at 11:30 AM and 4:30 PM. To celebrate this launch, the introductory price is a fantastic $6.50!

In Johor Bahru, the same box goes for RM13, which is about S$3.90, making this a sweet deal for cake lovers across the border!

Behind this innovative vending concept is Ms. Serene Ong, 41, founder of Hypha Vending Retail. She's no stranger to the beloved bakery, having previously imported its cakes for group buys during the pandemic. Her connection with Hiap Joo has paved the way for this exciting venture.

Ms. Ong is not stopping at banana cakes alone; the possibility of introducing more Hiap Joo treats in the future is in the works. She is also exploring new locations for additional vending machines!

Her company has garnered attention with initiatives like the 'shio pan ATM' from Butter Town bakery and the Uncle Lee Confectionery cake machine, both witnessing daily sell-outs at Woodleigh Village Hawker Centre. Plus, she operates a panna cotta vending machine at Buangkok Hawker Centre featuring goodies from the Muslim-owned Rohmini.

While all her current machines are in hawker centres, Ms. Ong envisions expanding into shopping centres and bustling communal areas. In the long run, she's aiming to introduce an array of unmanned machines vending not just local favorites but also exotic treats from various countries, including Thailand and China.

"My goal is to create a platform for small businesses to have a physical presence," Ms. Ong shared. She leverages feedback from her group-buy experiences to select products that people are eager to try.