This isn’t going to be the longest post ever, but there are a couple of facts that I need to point out.
A pineapple bun is a Hong Kong classic, and with good reason. If you’ve never had one before: no, it doesn’t have any pineapple in it. The name comes from the dome of the bun, which generally has pineapple-like ridges (though this particular one didn’t).
I recently found myself near the Lingya Night Market in the middle of the afternoon. I knew it would be closed, but I figured I’d walk through just to check it out.
It turned out there were a few vendors open, including a place serving up some very tasty-looking deep-fried goodies with an impressively massive line-up.
You wouldn’t necessary think that a French-style bakery would be worth your time in Taiwan, but pretty much everyone agrees that Wu Pao Chun Bakery is a must-visit in Kaohsiung.
Sometimes, you’ve gotta roll with the punches. The plan was to go to Xing Long Ju, a very well regarded breakfast joint in Kaohsiung. A little bit too well regarded, it turns out — the line was bonkers.
They sell something they call a “croissant” at Jin San Xia. Other than the general shape, it has almost no resemblance to an actual croissant.
It’s quite good, however.
After my shockingly great Korean McDonald’s experience — and considering how good all of the food in Japan is — I had high hopes for a similar experience here.
So there I am, just walking around in Tokyo and minding my own business, and wham. Attacked by crazy deliciousness, completely out of nowhere.
One of those things that’s huge in Asia and virtually unheard of in the west is putting beans in desserts. It’s a little bit off-putting at first, but then you quickly realize it’s delicious and wonder why you haven’t spent your whole life eating beany sweets.
It was a sad, sad day when the Beard Papa in the Pacific Mall (which was the only Beard Papa in Canada outside of Vancouver) shut down.
Tragically, I discovered this by actually going to the Pacific Mall to pick up some Beard Papa, only to find that the spot where it used to be was completely ripped apart (I think they were turning it another Chinese restaurant). There was nothing left but a hollowed-out husk filled with unused equipment and shattered dreams. It was heartbreaking.
Well, Japan is the home of Beard Papa, and it is just as glorious as I remembered.