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Pau Wow!
Singapore
In Malay cuisine, a pau is a steamed yeast-leavened bun similar to the Chinese bao. Usually stuffed with curry fillings that resemble karipap (Malaysian curry puffs), these fun-sized buns are best served fresh out of the bamboo steamer and straight to your plate. In Singapore, there’s no inopportune moment for locals to nibble on a pau or two. It was once a staple at breakfast for many households in the city, though the art of the handmade pau is slowly dying. Taste the real deal at these places to keep the traditional way of making these buns alive!
Nam Kee Pau is one of the most popular names when it comes to pau in the city. Their buns are all molded by hand, filled with a burst of classic flavors. The store is popular for its Amy Yip Pau, a massive bun stuffed with hard-boiled egg and juicy pork. If you’re not as hungry, a Big Pau will do the trick. The chain has over 20 branches in Singapore, so you can easily get your fix when the craving strikes!
681 Punggol Dr, #B1-16, Singapore 821669
Enjoy classic handmade paus made fresh every day at Ho Kee Pau. Their Big Pau (Chicken) is loaded with a chunky, juicy chicken meat filling wrapped in a soft and fluffy bun. Get it freshly steamed every morning for a hearty breakfast on-the-go.
- +65 6284 3110
205 Hougang Street 21, Singapore 530205
Set your alarms in the morning to get your Kong Bak Pau (Braised Pork Bun) fresh off the steamers at Teochew Handmade Pau. The recipe for their popular buns have been passed on through generations, ensuring the secret to their lean meat filling and soft, thin handmade buns are kept alive.
- +65 6254 2053
127 Lor 1 Toa Payoh, #02-02, Singapore 310127
After a back-breaking day, settle in at Lai Kee Dim Sum to get your fix of tasty handmade pau. Their classic Char Siew Pau contains a bursting layer of pork inside with the perfect balance of flavors—not too sweet, not too salty. Try other delicious buns here like Corn Pau, Cream Custard Pau, or Vegetable Pau for different pau flavors every time!
- +65 8128 9970
190 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, Toa Payoh Central, #01-528, Singapore 310190 Lor 6 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310190
Along Old Airport Road, you’ll find one of Singapore’s unique handmade paus. Get a real kick with their signature specialty Coffee Pau, a sweet and fluffy bun jammed with thick coffee paste inside. Just the aroma of brewed coffee from this pau makes it a real treat for coffee lovers!
51 Old Airport Rd, Singapore 390051
Aside from serving mouth-watering dim sum specialties, Dim Sum Haus can easily be your new go-to place for some yummy pau. Their buns are affordable and fit the bill of a classic pau—soft and fluffy on the outside, juicy on the inside. Go for either the steamed Honey Pork Barbecue Bun or crispy pan-fried Mushroom Bun, both of which are worth the calories!
- +65 6909 0777
57 Jln Besar, Singapore 208809
This homey establishment has been a part of Singaporean’s lives since 1991. To this day, their buns are still 100% handmade. Keep an eye out for their signature Mini Char Siew Pau because it tends to sell out fast! D'Bun also continues to come up with new bun specialties like Char Siew Roasted Pork Bao and Korean Spicy Chicken Bao.
- +65 6345 8220
358 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427603
Famous for bite-sized steamed buns reminiscent of authentic Singaporean pau, Tanjong Rhu serves a mean Char Siew Pau bursting with meat and sweet sauce. Their small handmade buns are usually sold per box, so you can share it with your loved ones. However, they’re made in limited quantities so make sure to get your hands on a box as early as you can!
- +65 6842 2112
389 Guillemard Rd, Singapore 399788
Dough Magic’s paus are easy to spot on a bustling day in the Chinatown Complex with its rose and peach shapes. These snap-worthy handmade buns don't have any filling inside, but dipping them in chili crab gravy gives it just the right kick. For heavier paus, the Sour Cabbage Pork Bun or Spring Onion Pork Bun are your best bets.
- +65 9028 6820
1 Park Rd, Singapore 059108
Make sure to put this hawker stall on top of your priority list during your trip to ABC Brickworks. Bao Zai’s paus are all made by hand, perfected over 30 years of dishing out their Char Siew Paus. Their meat filling is cooked barbecue-style, while their buns are kneaded until they are smooth in texture to perfectly complement the savory pork's flavor
- +65 9108 2749
6 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-135, Singapore 150006
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