There’s been a recent flood of Hong Kong eateries washing up on our shores — not that we’re complaining at all. Names like Mak’s Noodle and The Coffee Academics have set up shop here, and Tai Cheong Bakery sparked a nation-wide egg tart craze by popping up at Takashimaya’s basement food hall not once but twice in a matter of months.
So it’s with open arms that we welcome Honolulu Cafe, the latest Hong Kong brand to expand its reach to Singapore. Founded in the 1940s, the famous cha chaan teng set its sights on our Little Red Dot as its first international outlet. Baked goods are its specialty — think eggs tarts and pineapple buns with slabs of butter.
To prove just how popular it is, the day after the cafe opened, an update on Facebook notified customers that the egg tarts were only available for dine-in purchase due to an overwhelming response. Goes to show Singaporeans will stop at nothing to be part of a new craze.
But we digress. Back to the egg tarts. These babies ($1.70 each) are made by freezing the dough overnight to fold an unbelievable 192 layers into a crispy, flaky pastry (we’re not sure who would have the patience to count ’em all). Wobbly egg custard is then poured lovingly into the shells, and there you have it — the egg tarts people wait hours in line for. Pair these with the cafe’s Hong Kong milk tea for a mid-afternoon snack. Otherwise, try other menu items like HK-style curry fishballs, BBQ pork pastry and baked pork chop spaghetti.
If you’re itching to recreate your magical Hong Kong Honolulu Cafe experience here, don’t get your hopes up too high. Service isn’t exactly the most polite, the dishes waver between great and mediocre, and the egg tarts sell out rather quickly. So either wait for the eatery to get its quality under control, or cross your fingers and hope your visit won’t leave you disappointed.
Honolulu Cafe is at #01-33F/G The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Rd. Daily 11am-10pm.
