Search locations or food
OR
Sign up
Pineapple Bun | Traditional Sweet Pastry From Hong Kong, China | TasteAtlas

Pineapple bun

(Boh loh baau, Bor lor baau, 菠蘿包, 菠萝包)

Pineapple buns are golden, crispy-crusted, sweet pastries originating from Hong Kong. Despite their name, they don't contain pineapple, but are named after the chequerboard pattern of the crust that visually resembles the skin of a pineapple.


An important part of Hong Kong's cultural heritage, they are made with only four ingredients - flour, lard, sugar, and eggs. Crispy and sugary on the exterior and soft on the inside, it is a favorite food of many locals due to its inexpensive price.


The buns are usually eaten for breakfast or in the afternoon with tea. One popular variation known as boh loh yaau is commonly consumed with milk tea and served with butter inside the bun. It is known as one of the unhealthiest snacks in the country due to high amounts of cholesterol and fat.


As the buns spread all over the world and became more popular, several other varieties were created, stuffed with coconut, pork, cream, or red bean paste.