Inside a Chinese Bakery, From Buns to Tarts

Most bakeries also carry Portuguese-style egg tarts, similar to pasteis de nata, which have the look and consistency of crème brûlée.

Sesame Balls

Sesame Balls

One of my guilty pleasures are sesame balls: deep fried, sesame-specked glutinous rice balls filled with red bean or lotus paste. Crispy, greasy, and gooey, they’re a popular Chinese New Year treat, though they’re available in bakeries year-round.

Cha Siu Bao

Cha Siu Bao, aka Roast Pork Buns

Those looking for a more savory option will enjoy cha siu bao, or roast pork buns. These come either steamed or baked. The steamed variety are white, very light and cake-like; the baked ones are browned and topped with a sticky glaze.

Either way, the buns are filled with a helping of diced roast pork belly, better known as cha siu, in a sweet sauce. Occasionally, you may come across versions of this bun with a chicken filling.

PIneapple Buns

Pineapple Buns

These buns contain no pineapple. They get their name from the checkered yellow crust designed to make them resemble the outside of the tropical fruit. Even if the yellow crust looks nice, it’s not good for you – pineapple buns are considered one of the most unhealthy snack foods in Hong Kong.

I enjoy them plain, without filling, but some versions are filled with a bean paste, a custard, or even barbecued meat.

Paper Wrapped Cake

Paper Wrapped Cake

Sometimes called cupcakes, these are very light sponge cakes baked in paper wrappers. They’re perfect if you only want a little snack, especially if you’re stuffed from dim sum or chow fun.

Cocktail Buns

Cocktail Buns

These pastries usually come in pairs. They were created as a way of using up leftover buns by mashing them with sugar and shredded coconut and stuffing them inside freshly-made buns.

Moon Cakes

Moon Cakes

Moon cakes, traditionally eaten during the Autumn Moon Festival in September, are an acquired taste. These dense lotus paste and egg yolk-filled cakes are very rich, so it’s best to slice them up and share them with others.

Specialty versions of this pastry are filled with flavored pastes such as pineapple or green tea.