I typically think that Chinese cakes and pastries are just fluffy, tasteless, even pointless interpretations of rich European desserts. While living in Hong Kong, I came to realize that I couldn't expect a local Chinese cake shop to be as fulfilling as a French or Italian one. However, I do love traditional Asian desserts, particularly the red bean bun.
I popped into Number 1 Cake Shop and was brought back to my times in Kowloon when I would buy 10 buns and just hoard them in my room. At Number 1, I picked up a red bean bun and a coconut mocha ball. I have to say that this is a pretty authentic Chinese bakery that carries most of the buns and tarts (sweet and savory) I ate while living in Asia. I didn't try their Western style cakes and pastries out of disinterest, but their Chinese pastries were good. Service was quick and much friendlier than their Hong Kong counterparts. read more