Champion Bolo Bun has been something in the back of our heads and we have been wanting to visit for a long time. After several media outlets reported on the opening of Champion Bolo Bun at Tanjong Pagar, we heard about the long queues and sort of just gave up.
Now that it’s been a couple of months after its opening, we finally headed down to see what the hype is all about.
Champion Bolo Bun is the brainchild of 21-year old Hoh Loyi. After completing her ‘O’ Levels, Loyi decided to veer off the beaten track to study bread-making in Taiwan. The year she spent in Taiwan further affirmed her deep love for baking and Loyi eventually ended up pursuing an apprenticeship at a Cha Chaan Teng she used to frequent in Mongkok, known for its highly acclaimed Bolo buns.
Upon her return to Singapore, Loyi decided to open up Champion Bolo Bun with her teacher’s blessings, where she would guard the traditional recipe that he passed on to her, and carry on the legacy of serving up some of the best bolo buns in town.
The Bolo Bun or Pineapple Bun (菠蘿包, bolo bao in Cantonese) is a sweet pastry from Hong Kong. Its popularity amongst locals has helped the Bolo Bun become a staple in many cafes (or cha chaan teng) throughout the region.
Contrary to what its name suggests, Bolo buns do not actually contain the pineapple fruit, but derive their name from their crispy outer crust, which bears resemblance to the rind of a pineapple. A good Bolo bun should have a buttery, flaky and sugary crust on the outside while still maintaining a light, fluffy, airy texture on the inside. When done right, Bolo buns make for a scrumptious snack that are just as good to eat on their own as they are paired with any filling of your choice!
Relatively Crowded Even On Weekdays
To our surprise, there were quite a couple of people waiting for their Bolo Buns 15 mins after opening. However, most of these customers were having it to-go so the space is relatively empty.
But this meant a longer waiting time for us.
Modern Interior
When we set foot into the store, we were welcomed into a lively space that paired natural light with wooden furniture to create a minimalist, yet aesthetically pleasing look that was really easy on the eyes. The first floor serves primarily as a space for customers to wait for their takeaway orders, while patrons looking to dine in can head for the second and third floors.
The combination of the warm lighting, natural materials and the slow-tempo music seemed to set off a sense of calmness in the atmosphere that put us in just the right mood for a tea-time snack.
This minimalist theme extends to the second and third floors. The bright white walls are beautifully contrasted by elegant wood and rattan furniture, and the potted plants provide a tasteful touch of greenery.
Menu at Champion Bolo Bun
Much like a cha chaan teng, the menu comprises of Bolo Buns and beverages like Hong Kong styled Milk Tea.
Choose from the Classic ($4.5), Classic with Butter ($5), Curry Potato Bolo Bun ($6), or the Mini Bolo Buns ($4.5).
Classic Champion Bolo Bun
Champion Bolo Bun’s pride and joy, the Classic (S$4.50) definitely lives up to the hype. The golden-brown crust with the hallmark ‘pineapple’ pattern had a delightful crunch to it that crumbled apart with each bite. The bun was fluffy and airy on the inside and had a cloud-like texture to it. The size of the bun was pretty hefty as well, and definitely left us feeling satisfied after we finished it.
You can also opt for the Classic Bolo Bun with Butter (S$5), which adds a thick slab of New Zealand butter to the already rich and luscious bolo bun. The slab of butter melts wonderfully under the heat of the bun, with the soft and fluffy dough acting like a sponge that soaks the butter up. As sinful as this sounds, it actually gave the bolo bun an added dimension of savoriness which balanced out the sweetness of the bun, therefore we would recommend this combination instead.
After all, how can you go wrong with more butter?
Mini Bolo Buns
On another visit, we tried the Mini Bolo Buns, but we kind of disappointed as the crust wasn’t as thick as the classic, and the buttery flavours weren’t as prominent. We recommend going for the classic and sharing it instead.
Curry Potato
For those who prefer to take a walk on the savoury side, Champion Bolo Bun also has a curry potato (S$6) offering, which is a welcome addition to their menu and one that is likely to please local palates. Breaking into the bun revealed a decadent curry potato filling that any Singaporean would be familiar with. It did a wonderful job of providing the distinctive aroma of spices without being overly spicy, and was neutralized by the slightly sweet cookie crust of the bun.
We loved the mixture of textures – the warm, soft potatoes went delightfully well with the crunch of the buttery outer crust to give this bun a super satisfying bite. If you are a fan of curry puffs, you will certainly enjoy the refreshing twist that the bolo bun crust brings.
Champion Milk Tea
Traditional Hong Kong style milk tea is well-known for two things, its fragrance and its silkiness, and we have to say that the Champion Milk Tea (S$6 for the iced version) certainly delivers on both. The rich aroma of the Sri Lankan tea leaves and the creaminess from the evaporated milk made this drink worthy of Hong Kong’s cha chaan tengs. We liked how it wasn’t too sweet as well. However, at $6, some might find it a tad on the pricier side.
Famous Hong Kong Bolo Buns in Singapore
With the exception of the mini buns, we certainly thought that the Classic was one of the best Bolo Buns in Singapore.
Its crispy, crumbly, and buttery crust complemented the fluffy bun really well.
Along with the interior, Champion Bolo Bun is a great place for some afternoon tea in a modern setting.
Champion Bolo Bun
92 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088513
Tues-Sun, 11am-5:30pm
*This is an independent review by MiddleClass.sg.
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