If there is one snack to wholly represent Hong Kong as a food capital, it is the venerable pineapple bun, a signature of the city known for its pineapple-like lattice sugar top and a fluffy interior.
This dreamy sweet snack can be found everywhere in the city at most cha chaan teng, yet only a few have really perfected the creation of this baked good. These are some of the best buns Hong Kong has to offer.
The best pineapple buns in Hong Kong
Sai Kung Cafe & Bakery
Up in the north east of the city, Sai Kung Cafe & Bakery bakes their pineapple buns (HKD14) every hour to ensure the snack’s inner flesh is fluffy and fragrant. Add on some butter (+HKD6) for a salty, creamy touch to the crunchy, sugary flavour of the baked good.
Sai Kung Cafe & Bakery, G/F, 6-7 Kam Po Court, 2 Hoi Pong Square, Sai Kung, 2792 3861
Kam Wah Cafe & Cake Shop
Kam Wah is one of Hong Kong’s most popular cha chaan tengs, gaining a cultish attraction from both tourists and locals. What makes their pineapple bun (HKD8, HKD13 with butter) so special is due to two aspects: a crumbly sugar topping with a hint of caramel and its brioche-like insides.
Kam Wah Cafe & Cake Shop, G/F, 45-47 Bute Street, Mong Kok, 2392 6830
Kam Fung Cafe
Coincidentally, many popular cha chaan teng in Hong Kong also stock quality pineapple buns (HKD12 with butter), and that is very true with Kam Fung in Wan Chai. The staff keep their buns fresh due to the hot demand for the fluffy snack prepared with an extra large sugar coating.
Kam Fung Cafe, G/F, 41 Spring Garden Lane, Wan Chai, 2572 0526
Honolulu Coffee Shop
Around the corner from Kam Fung, Honolulu Coffee Shop deals well with a dedicated bakery section inside the famous Hong Kong cafe. Pair up your yeun yeung drink with their pineapple bun (HKD14 with butter), which tastes lighter than other versions in Hong Kong with hints of coconut and caramel from the sugar coating.
Honolulu Coffee Shop, G/F & M/F, 176-178 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, 2575 1823
Hong Lin Restaurant
In Mong Kok, Hong Lin Restaurant’s pineapple bun (HKD8) is one of the best value-for-money buns. Their homemade version offers a soft inside and pineapple sugar crust ensuring no unnecessary crumbs are left on the table. The dessert bun makes for a very good pairing with their milk tea.
Hong Lin Restaurant, G/F, 143-145 Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, 2391 8398
Lucky Star Coffee Shop
This upscale cha chaan teng in the middle of Causeway Bay’s shopping scene takes a spot in our guide for baking a pineapple bun (HKD22) similar in texture and fluffyness to your classic cocktail bun found in French restaurants across the world. Lucky Star is clean and modern, which matches and justifies the higher price for a quality bun.
Lucky Star Coffee Shop, G/F, 1-3 Pak Sha Road, Causeway Bay, 2886 1683
Cheung Hing Coffee Shop
Operating for more than 70 years, what has made Cheung Hing so famous are their buns, among other savoury treats that hit our salt-tooths. Their signature is the gold butter pineapple buns (HKD17), a buttery, slightly savoury, fluffy, and aromatic treat. The inside fluffy matches perfectly with the crunchy topping.
Cheung Hing Coffee Shop, G/F, 9 Yik Yam Street, Happy Valley, 2572 5097
