A guide to traditional Hong Kong bakeries and baked goods

If you grew up in Hong Kong, you likely share a collective childhood memory: having a bun for breakfast before school and an egg tart for afternoon tea when you get home. Across the city, you’ll find no shortage of bakeries issuing tray after tray of classic baked goods, beloved local favourites like pineapple buns, egg tarts and assorted rolls.  

Many of the city’s famous breads and pastries came about through cross-cultural exchange in the mid-20th century. Chinese breads (think dim sum staple barbecue pork buns or longevity buns) are traditionally steamed, so the arrival of Western baking ovens introduced new flavours and ways of making bread to local communities. 

They’ve since become a mainstay of Hong Kong culture and continue to draw crowds, with some shops even posting their baking schedules to accommodate huge queues wanting the freshest bakes. 

Hungry yet? Here’s what to eat and which Hong Kong bakeries to go to. 

Egg tarts

There are two types of egg tarts in Hong Kong, one made with a buttery and crumbly short crust, and the other with fluffy puff pastry. The shortcrust egg tart is said to be the original version, a localised adaptation of the British custard tart. Later, the arrival of the Portuguese pastel de nata inspired a spinoff using puff pastry. An age-old cultural debate revolves around which one is better… we’ll let you decide for yourself. 

The best Hong Kong egg tarts 

Maria’s Bakery 

Famed for its large shortcrust egg tarts, this bakery also sells coconut tarts, chicken pie and other buns. 

Price: $ 

Various branches, including Shop A, G/F, Heung Lam Building, 23 Connaught Road, Central, 2525 8841 

Tai Cheong  

One of Hong Kong’s most celebrated and longest-established bakeries, Tai Cheong takes pride in its shortcrust egg tarts, alongside a puff pastry version and other iconic Hong Kong buns and tarts. 

Price: $ 

Branches in Central and the New Territories, including Shop C, G/F, Lyndhurst Building, 35 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, 8300 8301 

Gold Garden Café  

A favourite among puff pastry egg tart devotees, this cha chaan teng uses a signature technique to create 128 delicate layers. 

Price: $ 

314 Castle Peak Road, Cheung Sha Wan, 2725 6386

Bakehouse 

This European-inspired artisanal bakery puts a contemporary spin on the traditional egg tart by using sourdough pastry and letting the top caramelise. 

Price: $

Various branches, including G/F, 14 Tai Wong Street East, Wan Chai 

Hashtag B 

This bakery popularised a fresh new look for our beloved custardy treat – the flower-shaped pastry-bottomed egg tart is a crunchy variety that comes in different flavours.

Price: $-$$

Various locations, including Shop C, G/F, Savoy Mansion, 49 Carnarvon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 6654 0016

Other tarts

Regarded as a cousin of the Hong Kong egg tart is the gai pai (chicken pie). This snack-sized adaptation of the British pot pie is savoury, filling and hearty, though these days it’s harder to find.

Often sold next to the egg tart is the coconut tart , topped with caramelised coconut shavings.

Pineapple buns

Despite the name, pineapple buns contain no pineapple. Instead, this sweet roll is topped with a crumbly crust made with a mixture of sugar, eggs, flour and lard, which crisps up under heat and gives the bun its signature “pineapple-y” look that inspired the name. Its origins are debated; some trace it to the Japanese melonpan, others to the Mexican concha. The similarities are clear enough, especially the crunchy sugary topping.

A popular way to eat pineapple buns is with a thick chunk of chilled butter tucked inside.

The best Hong Kong pineapple buns

Cheung Hing Coffee Shop

This longstanding cha chaan teng retains its old-fashioned charm and its reputation for serving queue-worthy pineapple buns. Order plain, with butter, or sandwich-style with a variety of toppings ranging from fried egg to satay beef.

Price: $-$$ 

9 Yik Yam Street, Happy Valley, 2572 5097

Sai Kung Bakery

If you needed an extra reason to plan an outdoor or seaside excursion in Sai Kung, this bakery would be it. Buns come out of the oven warm, airy and squishy – a delightful contrast to the crumbly crust and creamy butter (if you choose to order it) slotted vertically in the middle.

Price: $$ 

G/F, 6-7 Kam Po Court, 2 Hoi Pong Square, Sai Kung, 2792 3861

Other Hong Kong bakeries to try

Happy Bakery 

A neighbourhood favourite that sells a wide selection of bread, cakes and cookies, including those less often seen today, such as ice cream cones and sponge cakes wrapped in parchment paper. 

Price: $

66-68 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, 9490 0156 

Kam Wah Cake Shop 

Another longstanding bakery where you’ll find old-fashioned baked goods made by hand, like chocolate cake (the city’s take on sachertorte) and more nostalgic favourites. 

Price: $

16A Tai On Building, 57-87 Shau Kei Wan Road, Sai Wan Ho, 3116 5753

Kadorar Bakery 

Pudding bread is proof that Hong Kong’s food culture continues to innovate and redefine itself as it did in the past century. Kadorar Bakery sparked a viral trend which was soon picked up by other bakeries across town: embedding a sweet, vanilla-y pudding into the centre of an open-faced baguette with a crisp crust and just the right hint of salt.  

Don’t miss their full selection, which ranges from traditional treats like pan-fried glutinous rice pancakes to modern flavours like the cream-filled brioche.

Price: $ 

Locations across Kowloon, including 1 Man Yuen Street, Jordan, 2682 8019

Pak See Kut  

Aside from the baked goods, Pak See Kut’s assorted cookies (with flavours such as cranberry, chocolate, nuts and more), sold by the pound, make for delicious souvenirs. 

Price: $$-$$$ 

Two branches in Wan Chai, including 15 Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai, 2893 3683 

Pie & Tart Specialists 

With branches scattered across the city, this chain is a reliable source of small pies, tarts, breads and pastries with hearty fillings. Look out for their creamy seafood pies, BBQ pork pastries, chocolate milk tarts, sweet potato tarts and much more besides. 

Price: $ 

Various branches, including G/F, 77 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2366 1236