The most authentic Hong Kong-style dim sum is right here — Golden Gate Restaurant’s crispy, sweet and buttery Pineapple Bun with Butter

Text and photos byXiao Sheng

I’d heard about the legendary Pineapple Bun with Butter at Golden Gate Restaurant even back in Taiwan, but nothing could have prepared me for how it completely overturned my expectations. Turns out, there is such a thing as an ultimate Pineapple Bun with Butter — an absolute must-try when visiting Hong Kong.

Pineapple Bun with Butter has always been one of Xiao Sheng’s favorites. Back in Taiwan, I once had an incredibly delicious pineapple bun, but sadly that shop has since closed down, and I’ve never found another decent one since. So naturally, when I came to Hong Kong, I had to try this long-rumored delicacy.

Golden Gate Restaurant is located on Pak Street in Prince Edward, Hong Kong. By MTR, you can get off at either Mong Kok or Prince Edward stations and walk there — the restaurant is situated roughly halfway between the two. That day, I was staying near Tsim Sha Tsui, and my plan was to visit Tim Ho Wan first and then head to Golden Gate. I ended up walking there, but since Tim Ho Wan was temporarily closed for relocation, I went straight to Golden Gate instead. I arrived quite early, so although the place was bustling, there wasn’t a huge line yet.

Even from outside, you could see tray after tray of freshly baked pineapple buns, their aroma wafting through the air and catching the attention of passersby. At the time, I thought the buns just smelled good — like your average pineapple buns — and I was curious what made them so special.

Iced Lemon Tea (HKD 16): Aside from dim sum, Golden Gate also offers a variety of classic Hong Kong snacks. But since I was dining solo and my main mission was the pineapple bun, I only ordered an iced lemon tea, an egg tart, and the pineapple bun. The iced lemon tea had a slightly astringent taste, which was okay when balanced with the mild lemon flavor, but I’m just not used to tea with that kind of bitterness.

Egg Tart (HKD 4): Egg tarts are another signature item at Golden Gate. And considering the high prices in Hong Kong, paying just HKD 4 for an egg tart is an absolute steal. As someone who loves egg tarts, I couldn’t resist ordering one. However, while the flavor was nice, it still felt a bit lacking, and the crust wasn’t crisp enough — it didn’t leave much of an impression. I probably wouldn’t order it again next time.

Award-Winning Pineapple Bun with Butter (HKD 8): The star of Golden Gate is undoubtedly this award-winning Pineapple Bun with Butter. But when it first arrived, the butter was nowhere to be seen — it looked totally different from the photos I’d seen online. The staff explained that the butter had melted because the bun was too hot. At first glance, the bun didn’t seem particularly remarkable.

But the first bite was a total revelation (even if I didn’t take the most graceful bite). The bun was soft and fluffy, and while typical pineapple buns have a crunchier topping, Golden Gate’s had a crispness that melted into a milky aroma in your mouth — completely different from any pineapple bun I’d had before. The bun itself wasn’t overly sweet either, and when paired with the butter, which was rich with salty-sweet notes after melting, the combination was simply divine. Only after that bite did I understand why Golden Gate’s pineapple buns are so famous.

The next day, before heading to Lantau Island, I stopped by Golden Gate again to grab a pineapple bun for breakfast. This time without the butter, but even on its own, the texture of the bun was unforgettable. Trying Golden Gate’s pineapple bun made me realize just how amazing they can be — and how Taiwan doesn’t seem to have anything even close. While I didn’t particularly enjoy their egg tarts or iced lemon tea, that award-winning pineapple bun completely won me over. Next time I’m in Hong Kong, I’ll definitely be back for that bun that’s been haunting my dreams. And I can’t help but wonder — why doesn’t Taiwan have decent pineapple buns?

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Golden Gate Restaurant
Address: G/F, 47 Pak Street, Prince Edward, Hong Kong
Phone: (+852) 2392 6830
Business Hours: 06:30–23:30

Xiao Sheng’s Wandering Journeyhttp://rt009211.pixnet.net/blog
Every journey, every trip is a quest — though I’m not always sure what I’m searching for, what I gain often turns out to be more than I expected. And so, my wandering journey will continue, nonstop.