Hong Kong native opens dessert shop in Taiwan out of love — Rich milk rolls offer flavors of three love stages

Reported by Cai Wenjun / Taipei

Would you be willing to give up a seven-figure salary and leave your hometown to start over in a foreign land? Hong Kong-born pastry chef Jeremy once earned a high income in Canada, but later moved to Taiwan to settle down with his wife. He then used his skills to open a French-style pastry shop in Taipei with a dreamy exterior.“Butter & Pie”The shop’s ultra-popular milk rolls feature cream and sponge cake layered together for a multi-dimensional flavor experience — as if one could taste the three stages of love. The sweet yet not cloying texture has melted the hearts of many young women.

“Butter & Pie” is located near the Binjiang Market, known as Taipei’s mini Tsukiji. Its Tiffany-blue storefront, with its romantic hues, is enough to max out your phone’s memory just from the entrance. Inside, the shop adopts a warm, minimalist wooden style. Though simply decorated, it offers a cozy space where customers can comfortably enjoy their desserts.

▲ Interior of “Butter & Pie.”

Jeremy noted that all the desserts in the shop, from milk rolls to savory pies, are handmade. To deliver the best flavors to customers, aside from using locally produced sugar and eggs in Taiwan, ingredients such as flour and those used to make fresh cream are imported from Japan, France, and even Finland. With significant investment and continuous research, he has created desserts that are sweet yet not greasy, with distinct and unique flavors.

▲ Popular milk rolls at “Butter & Pie,” from left to right: matcha, extra-dark, and original flavors.

The shop’s most popular item is the “milk roll,” currently available in original, chocolate chip, matcha, and extra-dark flavors. Just by looking, the cream and cake are evenly distributed, forming a beautiful cut surface reminiscent of the yin-yang symbol. But gently press the cake from above, and the generous amount of cream inside will instantly burst out. With a range of flavors from slightly bitter to sweet, customers can easily find the one that suits them best.

▲ Close-up of the matcha milk roll cross-section.

▲ Close-up of the original milk roll cross-section.

Takethe “matcha milk roll”as an example: Japanese matcha powder is blended with fresh cream. One bite delivers a milky flavor with a distinct matcha bitterness, but upon closer tasting, the subtle sweetness of the cake itself emerges — a bittersweet taste akin to unrequited love, making it a must-try for matcha lovers.The “original milk roll”features pure white, Hokkaido-produced fresh cream. The cream itself is smooth and not greasy, with a refreshing taste reminiscent of first love — perfect for those who prefer milder flavors.

The extra-dark and chocolate chip milk rolls are the sweetest among all the milk roll options, withthe chocolate chip flavor being the sweetest of all.Jeremy explained that this is because it contains 75% dark chocolate, which, when paired with fresh cream, maximizes the overall sweetness — offering a sugary, love-struck flavor that keeps you coming back for more.

What’s the secret to achieving the rich, velvety texture of the fresh cream? Jeremy said it mainly lies in the mixing time during preparation, but this depends on feel and experience — there’s no fixed rule.

▲ The refreshing and not overly sweet berry pie.

Aside from the milk rolls, the shop’s other pastries are also worth trying. The berry pie is generously topped with blueberries and other berries, and features a crisp crust filled with a berry custard. It not only delivers the fragrant and refreshing taste of berries but also offers a mousse-like texture in the filling that’s comforting to eat. Overall, it’s not too sweet, so you can finish a whole piece without feeling overwhelmed.

▲ The sharply tangy lemon tart.

The lemon tart is a dessert with a strong citrus tang. The crust is filled with a bright yellow custard made from yellow lemons, topped with whipped cream. One bite releases the tartness of the lemon, followed by the mild sweetness of the crust and cream. At the base, there’s a layer of crispy pineapple, which adds a unique almond aroma along with its crunch — thanks to added sugar and crushed almonds. It pairs wonderfully with the lemon filling and is another highlight of the shop.

▲ Jeremy, owner of Butter & Pie French handcrafted patisserie.

Butter & Pie French handcrafted patisserie
Address: No. 1, Lane 7, Alley 113, Section 3, Jianguo North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City