Where To Find The Best Pineapple Buns In Hong Kong

Satisfy your sweet tooth cravings with a local classic. Here’s where to go for the best pineapple buns in Hong Kong.

While we love cookies, doughnuts and other insta-favourite sweet treats as much as the next person, there are times when only a good old classic will do the trick. Although the name can be deceiving, we love the humble pineapple bun for what it is: a soft, fluffy bun with a sweet, crunchy top that’s both substantial and will do what food’s supposed to do – fill you up! With so many on offer in Hong Kong, this list is to help you steer clear of the not-so-great and discover the ones worthy of true pineapple bun status as part of Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage.

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What Makes A Good Pineapple Bun?

First thing’s first, how can you tell a good pineapple bun from the bad? Here are some expert tips to bear in mind (according to local food critics):

• Look at the bun. Does it have a nice golden sheen to it? If it doesn’t, the warning signs are there. It’s likely that the bun has been in the oven for too long.
• Check the “pineapple” crust. Does it have those cracked, wrinkly lines? This is what you want to look for when it comes to a sufficiently crispy bun.
• Press onto the bun. Here you will check two things. Firstly, does it bounce back? If so, it means there’s enough bread in there, and not just air (that’s a good thing!). Second, does the crust fall off easily? If it does, unfortunately that means the crust and the bun didn’t quite fuse together (something you want to avoid).
• Last but not least, bite into it. Are you drooling yet?

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The Best Pineapple Buns In Hong Kong

Cheung Hing Coffee Shop

A local staple in Happy Valley, this coffee shop has been around for 69 years. If you’re in the neighbourhood during the weekends, you won’t miss it as it’s always crowded with people outside waiting for a table. Instagrammers come for the retro interiors, whereas older generations come for the famous pineapple buns. The perfectly soft bun is coated with a crispy yet not crumbly crust. Never too sweet, every bite into this bun makes you long for another. Loyal customers come from all over Hong Kong, and we can guarantee you will soon become one of them.

Cheung Hing Coffee Shop, G/F, 9-11 Yik Yam Street, Happy Valley, Hong Kong, 2572 5097

Read More: Your Neighbourhood Guide To Happy Valley

 

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Kam Wah Cafe

Kam Wah may be a tourist favourite, but its popularity is justified as the pineapple buns here really hit the spot. The servers are renowned for being pretty surly, but for this small price, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful dome of deliciousness, draped with a generous layer of golden-brown crust that boasts the perfect balance of crumb and crunch. You’re required to buy a drink if you’re dining in, but you can order your buns from the counter at the front of the cafe if you’re on the go.

Kam Wah Cafe, 47 Bute Street, Prince Edward, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2392 6830

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Hong Lin Restaurant

We’ll let you in on our little secret. Just two minutes away from Kam Wah is Hong Lin Restaurant, which is where we personally like to head to for our pineapple bun fix. Hong Lin’s pineapple buns are just as good as Kam Wah’s, minus the crowds. Some of us even think the pineapple buns here have a crispier top. The best part about Hong Lin is that it stays open until midnight, so you know where to go when the late-night munchies hit.

Hong Lin Restaurant, G/F, 143-145 Tung Choi Street, Prince Edward, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2391 8398

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Kam Fung Cafe

This old-school cha chaan teng dates back to 1957, but is still as popular as ever thanks to its best-selling pineapple buns. Besides fulfilling the usual criteria of being soft and fluffy, the bready part of the bun stays moist, even after being left out for quite a while. The crust on top is delightfully crumbly, and almost covers the entire surface for sufficient crunch in every bite. Be warned though – these babies usually sell out by 5pm, so definitely get there as early as you can.

Sassy Tip: We were also very impressed by the chicken pies (another cha chaan teng classic!), which are made with the crumbliest, most melt-in-your-mouth shortcrust pastry we’ve ever had.

Kam Fung Cafe, 41 Spring Garden Lane, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, 2572 0526

Read More: Wan Chai Guide — Restaurants, Bars, Cafes & More

 

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Kowloon Restaurant

If you like big buns and you cannot lie, you’ll absolutely adore Kowloon Restaurant’s voluptuous bombshells. The pineapple buns here are known to be one of the biggest in the city, and are visibly taller than the average bun. Rest assured, the restaurant doesn’t skimp on quality; despite the size, these buns are just as pillowy as others, and come topped with a crispy crust that nearly blankets the whole surface. We love how the butter is served on the side here, perched atop an ice cube to stop it from melting.

Kowloon Restaurant, various locations across Hong Kong, www.klnrestaurant.com

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Sai Kung Cafe & Bakery

Despite being on the pricier side, Sai Kung Cafe & Bakery’s pineapple buns are worth every penny. This bakery churns out over 100 batches of buns each day – all of which sell out by 5pm, even on weekdays. These beauties are bigger than average and are enveloped by a gorgeous golden-brown crust that extends to all edges of the bun. The crust is more sandy than crunchy, perfect for those who prefer crumbly crusts over super crunchy ones. Like Kam Wah, you’ll have to buy a drink to dine in here, so we suggest ordering your treats to-go and enjoying them by the sea instead.

Sai Kung Cafe & Bakery, G/F, 6-7 Kam Po Court, 2 Hoi Pong Square, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2792 3861

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Editor’s Note: “Where To Find The Best Pineapple Buns In Hong Kong” was most recently updated by Team Sassy in November 2024. With thanks to Rachel Au and Cynthia Lok for their contribution.