Hong Kong Cafe! A question ...

[bill_n_opus]

Oh, by the way, Merry Xmas to you and your family(s).

Does anyone remember the old Hong Kong Cafe in Chinatown? I used to go there with my parents many moons ago when we hit Chinatown for some biweekly shopping.

They used to make in limited quantities these wonderful, incredible, apple "tarts" but more really like a round-ish puff(y) pastry filled with semi-sweet apple filling. The outside of the pastry was lightly coated in a sugary crust.

They were sooooo good and I regret not being old enough to afford to buy my own 2-3 dozen at that time so I could scarf them down at my own pace.

Unfortunately, they've been closed for at least 15-20 years now.

So, my question is for all you knowledgeable foodies ... (I'm sure Jamie Maw might remember that establishment) - does anyone know any local Chinese pastry shop that makes a fair rendition of this dessert?

Because if you do i've got my car keys in hand and my wallet full of money ready to rock.

Thanks.

[kontemporary]

I do believe New Town Bakery, also located in Chinatown, makes apple "tarts." I don't know how its authenticity compares with the Hong Kong cafe version though, but give it a try !

[vandan]

also try "the boss", if they don't its worth checking out just for the cheesy name, pretty sure its not owned by springsteen though

[maxmillan]

I do believe New Town Bakery, also located in Chinatown, makes apple "tarts." I don't know how its authenticity compares with the Hong Kong cafe version though, but give it a try !

←

If you go early enough, or at the right time they are still warm. It use to be that they'd be sold out by the time I get there but they seem to have solved that problem because the last couple of times I've been to Newtown I've been able to buy a dozen.

I think it tastes quite close to the original that I've tried from the Hong Kong Cafe but my family and friends say that it's not as good. It's good enough for my cravings.

I'll have to try the Boss' apple tarts to compare.

Good luck in finding them.

[SBonner]

I'm 100% behind the apple tarts from Newtown...actually ate three tonight After trying several in Hong Kong back in November I'm convinced we have some of the best here. The one's at Newtown are very similar to the one's you describe.

Cheers,

Stephen

[bill_n_opus]

Hey, thanks for all the replies.

Being married with 3 monkeys ... errr, kids, it's difficult to get out and about.

But it certainly looks like a trip to Newtown is in order for sure. Maybe i'll take a "Newtown" stop-off to pick up some when I take the kids to Scienceworld.

Awesome.

[bill_n_opus]

Well, it's time for an update.

I managed to have some time off and I was in the area on a rainy mid-morning (is there any other type of day here in Vancouver, i'm sorry I don't remember what "sun" looks like) and I hit Chinatown for a moment in search of Newtown Bakery.

I was chatting with my Dad awhile back and mentioned my mini-quest to sample some apple tarts and mentioned Newtown and he gave me the exact location (thanks Dad!).

I parked, walked up Pender (I think) and entered. Saw rows of baked goods that had come from the recesses of my childhood memory.

I saw the magical tray labelled "apple tarts" and my first impression was "hmmmnn ... they are a little bigger and fatter than what I remembered."

"Well, of course", I thought, "This place isn't the old Hong Kong Cafe so don't expect identical products"

I waited my turn and then apologized to the nice staffer that my Cantonese was embarassingly absent and she was kind, offered a big smile and said that her kids were the same way.

Feeling better about myself (!) I ordered 2 dozen apple tarts, 2 Chinese donuts and 2 of those awesomely greasy Taro "balls" - the ones that are deep fried, stuffed with taro paste and chicken/pork/whatever.

Thanked the staffer, walked back to the car and immediately stuffed an apple tart into my gaping maw.

My impressions:

- really "buttery", way more buttery than what I remembered from the Hong Kong Cafe which were much more delicate, fluffy, appley and tasty.

- however, the basic reaction was the same. I'm glad that I picked them up.

- brought some to my parent's place and they had similar reactions. My bro exclaimed "Man! These are way different!" but stuffed one down his face anyways.

- the wife brought the other dozen into work and they threw them into the oven to crisp them up again and they really liked them ... but these were mostly gwai lo's so I thought that they would be easy to please (just kidding!).

- the taro "ball" is pretty much exactly like the ones you get at dim sum. In other words, heart attack on a plate-type stuff but delicious as hell. They are so good.

- the chinese donut were the same as I remembered them. No congee to wash them down with unfortunately.

In any case, i'd buy them again or definitely try another joint that makes a similar version. I'd buy those taro "balls" again of course and i'd save the Chinese donuts for times I know i'm going to get/make congee. I'd also try the other usual products that I didn't get this time around.

A note fot the the deal-seeking. The sign on the door said "50% off pastries after 5pm" or something to that effect.

Hope you enjoyed reading this.