Lede: Popular Hong Kong bakery brand Forest Bakery has opened a new concept store, The Forest Bakery+, at K11 Art Mall in Tsim Sha Tsui, debuting the city’s first-ever “crispy pineapple bun choux” — a hybrid that fuses the iconic bolo bao with French-style cream puffs. The shop, which launched on April 20, 2026, also offers an array of inventive pineapple bun-based sweet and savory items, alongside a new line of branded merchandise featuring an adorable bolo bao mascot. U Food’s reporter visited the site to document the offerings and opening promotions.
A Bold Fusion: The Crispy Pineapple Bun Choux
At the heart of the new store is the crispy pineapple bun choux (HK$18 each, or HK$60 for four). Inspired by Osaka’s popular choux pastry trend, the bakery wraps a buttery custard filling inside a brittle, crumbly pineapple bun crust. The result is a hybrid that delivers the signature crunch of a traditional bolo bao with the creamy smoothness of a puff.
The choux comes in four flavors: classic vanilla, tangy strawberry, rich black sesame, and the trending pistachio. According to the reporter, the pistachio version stood out for its intense nutty aroma, and all varieties are filled to the point of overflowing — ideal for social-media snapshots. Each pastry is baked to order, so customers are encouraged to eat it immediately for optimal texture.
Savory and Sweet Twists on a Classic
Beyond the choux, the concept store introduces a flambéed caramel pudding pineapple bun (HK$24). Staff sprinkle white sugar on top of a vanilla pudding-filled bolo bao and torch it until golden. The contrast between the warm, crispy bun and the cool, silky pudding mimics a crème brûlée experience.
For savory fans, the char siu runny egg pineapple bun (HK$22) layers honey-glazed barbecued pork with a soft-yolk egg inside a sweet, crunchy bun. This combination reimagines a beloved Hong Kong comfort dish in portable form.
The store also continues Forest Bakery’s earlier viral success — its thousand-layer pastries, which gained massive traction on Threads. Items like the fish siu mai puff (HK$26), topped with mentaiko and XO sauce, remain available. Other bakery staples include four-color pineapple buns (HK$14 each, HK$50 for four) with custard fillings in vanilla, strawberry, black sesame, and pistachio, as well as a thick-cut pineapple bun with butter (HK$15) — the classic “bolo yau” that balances hot bun with cold butter.
From Viral Success to Branded Merchandise
The Forest Bakery+ extends beyond food. The brand has created an original IP character — a chubby pineapple bun — and offers a photo spot inside the store. A range of merchandise is available for purchase:
- Spend HK$100 to buy a small pineapple bun plushie for HK$60, or a large one for HK$98
- Spend HK$200 to receive a free keychain shaped like a Hong Kong-style bun
These collectibles have already drawn attention from fans eager to take a piece of the bakery home.
Expansion Plans: Sourdough and More
The Tsim Sha Tsui pop-up is part of a broader expansion. In June 2026, Forest Bakery will open its first Hong Kong Island outlet at Taikoo Shing Shopping Centre. That location will introduce a sourdough bread and toast series, made with long-fermented dough for easier digestion and a tangy bite. It will also offer handmade egg rolls (HK$88 for six) in original, pistachio, and hazelnut flavors — each rolled by hand for a lighter, crispier texture.
Implications for Hong Kong’s Bakery Scene
Forest Bakery’s rapid growth — from a pop-up to a full concept store and an upcoming permanent branch — reflects a rising demand for innovative, Instagram-worthy twists on traditional Hong Kong bakes. Owner and pastry chef Jerry, who trained in France, has successfully merged French pastry techniques with local flavors, creating a niche that appeals to both nostalgic diners and younger trend-seekers.
For those planning a visit, the K11 Art Mall store operates daily from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. until April 21, 2027. Given the early sellouts reported for items like the pistachio chocolate tart and taro mochi bun, arriving early is advised. Whether you crave a nostalgic bolo yau or a boundary-pushing choux hybrid, The Forest Bakery+ offers a fresh chapter in Hong Kong’s beloved bread culture.