My hand is so sore from pulling it—cheese filling stretches up to 50cm. The “Golden Cheese Waterfall” has made this small shop an overnight sensation.

Reported by Hua Shaofu / Kaohsiung

Located in Kaohsiung, Maple Tea House has been in business for five years this year and has recently become a wildly popular queue-worthy spot thanks to its “Crispy Extra-Cheesy Pineapple Bun.” This ultra-popular item, made with four types of cheese, once faced the threat of being taken off the menu. Its journey has been full of twists and turns, yet incredibly captivating—much like the life of the owner, Brother Maple, whose ups and downs could easily fill a book.

▲ Maple Tea House’s Crispy Extra-Cheesy Pineapple Bun can be stretched over 50cm without breaking. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

In the afternoon, the queue at Maple Tea House isn’t as long as expected, but that doesn’t diminish my confidence in it. This “Crispy Extra-Cheesy Pineapple Bun” was once at risk of being discontinued because no one was buying it. It may look unremarkable on the outside, but it holds a mysterious allure inside. “It’s made with cheddar, Parmesan, and two brands of mozzarella—four types of cheese in total. The reason it stretches so well is because I’ve adjusted the proportions,” Brother Maple explained as he demonstrated to a female employee how to pull out an extra-long cheese strand that’s both long and unbroken.

▲ The cheese at Maple Tea House stretches incredibly well—it takes quite some effort to break it. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

Speaking of Brother Maple, he’s actually quite an impressive figure. Raised by his grandmother in a single-parent family, he didn’t enjoy studying and learned a trade early on. He worked in a Hong Kong-style restaurant for many years and apprenticed under numerous Hong Kong chefs. His shop is currently the only one in Taiwan certified by the Hong Kong Staff Association to serve authentic milk tea made by certified milk tea masters. He once built Xin Gang Tea Restaurant and even came close to becoming an executive chef at a hotel, but for various reasons, he decided to strike out on his own and open a shop.

▲ This cheese pineapple bun is made with a blend of four brands of cheese. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

“I studied cooking for so many years and earned a decent salary. Everyone told me, ‘What’s the point of selling bread yourself?’” Faced with skepticism from friends and family and shareholders pulling out their investments just before the shop opened, Maple Tea House once faced the risk of shutting down. The first two years were consistently in the red. “I was borrowing money every month. During that time, my grandmother passed away, and my wife gave birth—all while managing this shop. It was truly overwhelming,” Brother Maple said with a smile, though I could clearly sense the helplessness and hardship he endured over the years.

▲ The ice cream in the ice cream pineapple bun is Meiji ice cream, available in three flavors: sake cherry, matcha, and Oreo. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

For a shop to become popular, it naturally needs some signature products. The shop’s most popular Crispy Extra-Cheesy Pineapple Bun costs just NT$55 and is made with cheddar, Parmesan, and two brands of mozzarella cheese. After brushing with egg wash, it’s not only aromatic but also delivers that delightful “stretchy” cheese experience in every bite.

▲ The chicken cutlet with egg pineapple bun and pork cutlet with egg pineapple bun are also crowd favorites. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

The chicken cutlet with egg pineapple bun and pork cutlet with egg pineapple bun are also popular. The chicken cutlet uses whole domestic chicken thigh meat, unlike the frozen chicken commonly sold in stores. The slightly gamey smell is actually a sign of the most natural, additive-free ingredient. The pork cutlet uses domestic pork with a pure pink color, indicating its freshness. The dough in the shop is entirely handmade, emphasizing a healthy philosophy of less oil and sugar. There’s even a calorie chart displayed at the entrance, showing the shop’s confidence in its ingredients and flavors.

▲ Adding spicy stir-fried instant noodles to a pineapple bun is a brilliantly creative idea. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

For beverages, the most representative Hong Kong-style drink is the iced lemon tea, made with Ceylon black tea and yellow lime. Brother Maple said, “Most places use Taiwanese lemons, but we use yellow limes, which are much more expensive. I think they add a unique fruity aroma that’s irreplaceable.” The coffee-infused milk tea, or “Yuan Yang,” is rich and smooth, making it another signature drink. The “Salty Lemon Seven,” a drink believed by many Hong Kongers to soothe sore throats and clear phlegm, is also a bestseller.

▲ Maple Tea House’s iced lemon tea is exceptionally fragrant. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

▲ The Yuan Yang milk tea and salty lemon seven are must-orders. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

Special promotion: From now until October 15, show the “ETNEWS News Cloud app” when you visit the shop to get a pineapple bun + iced lemon tea combo for just NT$60 (original price NT$80)!

Maple Tea House

Address: No. 291, Zhisheng Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-557-5189
Business hours: 10:00–22:00, no days off

ETNEWS News Cloud is currently collaborating with the shop for an interview and promotional event
Feel free to email ettravel@ettoday.net or send a direct messageto the ETNEWS Hungry Power Facebook pagefor inquiries

For more travel information, pleasedownload the News Cloud app