Uggli Muffins

There are hawkers and there are hawkers. There are some folks who gave up a well paying job to be hawkers. They have their reasons for it I am sure. Whatever reasons there are, they are to be respected. Others may really be pursuing a passion. Some people may say when you are hungry you cannot eat passion. 

Many of the world's most successful people are those who pursue a passion, went through tremendous hardship and later realised their dreams and their beliefs. They were not there thinking of making money and getting rich. They probably do not know that they could get so successful at the beginning. The words here are ''pursuing their passion'', ''dreams'', ''beliefs" and ''tremendous hardship''. The most important of all is the hardship part and ''grit''. Grit is about courage and resolve, strength of character. Many want to have the kind of success but how many have ''true grit'' and is willing to take hardship?

Whatever business you are running, what is it that makes you stand out against the competition and the rest? What can you offer? What makes you special? How can people remember you? Why would people come back to you? What are the first and everlasting impression? Who are you? We could learn anything any day from anyone. 

Recently, I was in Toa Payoh, an old home town and went to Blk 127 Lorong 1 for a late lunch. Besides, the usual good food stalls there, I have specifically wanted to visit Uggli Muffins, a stall I have patronised many times before. 

My impressions every time I visited remains the same. The boss will usually engaged his customers in banter. He is always jovial despite busily multi-tasking. At times, he will pinched a piece of piping hot muffin and let you try it while you are waiting for your order. Some time ago, when he was very busy and I saw a customer whipped out $50 and he said, er...never mind, you can pay me the next time. He is always in good humour. 

They churned out their muffins non-stop and relentlessly.

And they have good cookies too such as this chocolate with macadamia nuts. 

If you think that muffins come in little cups or pretty foils then that is a stereotype. They are not called Uggli Muffins for nothing. These are imperfection at its very best. Who says muffins has to be neat and tidy? And mind you, these are addictive. There are many flavours for you to choose from but I like the bananas. I have always like raisins and orange peels too. At a reasonable price, a soft buttery centre and crispy dark brown top for each muffins, it is nothing but oomph!

These muffins are as real and ugly and at the same time beautiful just like human beings. None of them look the same or resembles one another. 

Oh yes, their tiramisu is very good with a strong taste of liqueur. Some times it can get very crowded and if you wish to have only certain flavours. Then place your order and go for your meal first. 

I really like these muffins. No pretensions, no masks, just come as you are, accept me as I am. Looks are superficial. It is what that is inside that counts. 

Well, I will be back!