Cafe Zaiya Bakery – East Village, NY
Cafe Zaiya
69 Cooper Square
New York, NY
I apologize for the lack of posts! I’ve just been very busy, but I always have blogging on the back of my mind. I will try to update whenever I can even though if the posts are short.
I am a big fan of bakeries! When I’m in the East Village, I always make sure I stop by Cafe Zaiya for their sweet unique pastries and bubble tea. The price is a little on the expensive side compared to a bakery in Chinatown, but it’s worth every penny. I must admit that it isn’t the first time I’ve been to this cafe, but it’ll be my first post on it!
So I picked up a few pastries and I would like to share them with you. Sometimes I don’t even know what I’m buying, but I know it has to be tasty because it looks it! If you guys know the name of the following pastries, please let me know!
Black Sesame Bun w/Red Bean Paste
Close up of black sesame bun w/red bean paste
Char Sui Bau (Steamed & Baked Roast Pork Buns) Comparison
So after reading that article from David Carr about Char Sui Baus, aka Roast Pork Buns, it just made me want to go get some. Thats just what I did this weekend. Since I live near the Flushing, Queens area, there’s a slew of bakeries to choose from. There’s the bigger names in bakeries like Tai Pan and then there are just very local/family owned ones. I prefer the local ones of course rather than the chains. Their prices are usually cheaper (of course the ones in Chinatown in Manhattan are still cheaper compared to Queens) and some times their food is just higher quality. I passed by this Bakery named Maxin Bakery and I’ve been meaning to stop in there to try it out. Its not a very big place with only 3 tables or so but the food looks great.
Now the real reason why I stopped in there is because of my Char Sui Bau craving. So I went and bought a bunch because one is just not enough for me. There’s two types of these Pork Buns, the Steamed ones and the Baked ones. Its so difficult to choose until you taste the difference and really its more of a matter of personal taste than anything. Some prefer steamed and some just prefer baked.
Char Sui Bau (Roast Pork Bun) Steamed
Char Sui Bau (Roast Pork Bun) Baked
More after the jump!
Char Sui Bau (Steamed or Baked Roast Pork Buns)
Now this is an idea from David Carr I should have thought of. I’ve already done a few dissections of Bor Lor Bau. My other favorite bun is the Char Sui Bau. For those who do not know what this delectably meaty bun is… its a Roast Pork Bun. It comes in two styles, the White Steamed Pork Bun and the Orangish Baked Pork Bun. Its a tough choice to see which is better but I’m also biased for both as I grew up eating it. I will have to get both and take pictures this weekend and while I’m at it, dissect the buns for all to see. Stay tuned!
Pineapple Bun (bor lor bao) with Red Bean Paste Filling Part 2
Read the first part of the post here!
Here’s how the Pineapple Bun with Red Bean Paste filling looks when cut in half. Keep in mind that it is extremely difficult to slice in half a bun thats soft. You’ll either crumble the crust or completely smash up the bun. It took some extreme care to slice it, even then, it smooshed just a bit.
Pineapple Bun (bor lor bao) with Red Bean Paste Filling
Pineapple Bun (bor lor bao) with Red Bean Paste Filling
This is one of my favorite Buns, a Pineapple Bun. But not just any ordinary Pineapple Bun, this one has a Red Bean filling. A combination of two of my favorite pastries!
Ever wonder why its called a Pineapple Bun (hint: Look at the Crust)? The crust resembles a pineapple, simple as that. Its a fluffy dough with a sweet crust that crumbles upon contact. Its delightful.
There are variations depending on the Bakery and upon the region/area. Some crusts are light yellow, almost white while others are deep yellow or orange. Either way, you won’t mistaken it for anything other than a Pineapple Bun. The other variations of this is the filling. A Plain has no filling, sometimes you can get it with Red Bean Paste (a favorite of mine). Another variation has a creamy egg filling (pictures next time) that most bakeries bake up in a longer or almost trianglish shape rather than round.
Pineapple Bun (bor lor boa) with Red Bean Paste Filling
Pineapple Bun (bor lor boa) with Red Bean Paste Filling
These can be found in Chinese Bakeries usually, stop by at any Chinatown and you’ll probably find them easily. Don’t believe they’re just eaten as breakfast, they can be eaten anytime and will laste a few days without refrigeration. But of course they are freshest in the mornings after being baked. When its warm, its soft and very fluffy, watch for crumbs falling. They’re cheap too! They can cost from 60 cents to about $1, again depending on the bakery. If you ever visit a Chinese Bakery, be sure to ask for Bor Lor Bau!
Read Part 2 of this post here!
