Breadtalk Bubble Tea Pearl Bun Review: Winning Combination That’s Not Overly Sweet

Lest you’re unaware, Breadtalk Singapore recently released a new line of buns with the ever-charismatic Taiwan as inspiration. In fact…

They call it the Taste of Taiwan.

And with the likes of Earl Grey Bubble Tea buns, Pepper Buns and Braised Meat Rice buns gracing our shores, it doesn’t sound like they’re joking.

At all.

So naturally

Being the gluttons we so obviously are, we’re not walking away without a slice of the pie. Or the bread, whichever doughs your toast. However, there’s just one little complication.

“YOU GUYS ARE NOT USING MY CARD TO BUY FOOD AGAIN,” le boss screamed. “IF YOU GUYS STEAL IT AGAIN I’M CALLING THE POLICE. SO PISS OFF BEFORE I PISS ON YOU.”

Yeah, just life.

But then, just as we were about to lose all hope and eat cai png instead, a miracle dropped from the sky and landed square on my head. Clutching my crown, I looked at it.

Breadtalk? Wait, this is not happening.

Hesitant, I proceeded to open it.

…

Ohmagawd.

Turns out that my ugly AF colleague has been secretly corresponding with Breadtalk to bring me this surprise. He’s so nice, I’ve thrown him out of the window so that I can enjoy this myself.

But anyways.

Aesthetics

Let’s face it; appearance plays a major part in the whole equation. I mean; are you more inclined to pick that oozy, creamy and absolutely mouthwatering cream bun, or the flat, soggy chocolate raisin bun that looks like it has been through an entire field camp and survived to tell the tale?

Yeah, sad as it is, appearance does contribute. Sorry, cream bun.

As such, let’s move on to the main buns, where we will explore their every curve with ultimate precision.

First off, we have the Sweet Potato with Red Bean bun.

Which looks like a big, buttery roll I’ll honestly love to pop into my mouth.

And then we have the Braised Meat bun…

Which admittedly doesn’t look the most appetising, but the idea did get us hooked.

And the Earl Grey with Milk Tea buns…

Which came in looking like cannon barrels.

Last but not least, we have the Pepper Bun…

Which looks so average I shall just name it Bob.

In general, however, I would say that the overall presentation is pretty aesthetic. Which means that Breadtalk has all but clinched this round.

Taste

There was this one day when I was feeling hungry. Like really hungry. Drop dead hungry, even. And so I set about the pain-provoking process of choosing a bun from the bakery.

After moments of heart-wrenching pain, I finally settled on a french loaf. Looked good. Looked big. Perfect. But then I bit into it, and let’s just say that it stayed as a memory.

Albeit a painful one.

As such, while the aesthetics are undoubtedly different, the taste is even more so. Which leads to the all-important question.

How do the buns taste like?

Without further ado, I volunteered for the task, and as everyone stared with bated breath I sank my teeth into the cutesy looking one with a wafer roll (Early Grey Milk Tea bun).

….

My word.

This shit is good.

Having given it a hearty bite, I got an equally hearty chunk of milk tea cream with pearls back. And while the idea might have sounded sweetening af initially, that notion soon evaporated as I chewed, for this wasn’t overly sweet. Not at all. In fact, if I had to describe it with a single word…

Pleasant. Undoubtedly.

And considering how there were two of it in the box, we gamely split it evenly. And let’s just say that it was all gone within the span of seconds.

Excited, I then move on to the next one in the line: the Sweet Potato Red Bean Bun.

Tastebuds braced, I then lean in for the kill.

Munch, munch.

…

Wow, I can’t believe it but…

This is even better.

With sweet potato paste and red bean gelling up for a flavour burst in your mouth, this bun’s good.

What’s more; it’s so darn heavy. Is this even a bread?

I’m calling it; it’s definite value for money there.

Thereafter, I move on to the Pepper Bun (otherwise known as the Taiwan Night Market Bun), and although not as good as the other two (in my personal opinion)…

It still deserves recognition.

Having been based off Taiwan’s original versions, these Pepper Buns are admittedly not quite as tantalising as their illustrious counterparts, but with all things considered it’s still a pretty alright venture.

And last but not least, we reach the braised meat bun, which I must say looks like a giant compared to the rest.

But then that’s to be expected, seeing how the Taiwanese represent it as a “complete meal in a bun”, with vegetables, meat and the bread itself.

However, like what I expressed earlier on…it ain’t the most appetising fare on a menu.

But hey, durians look like shit and people still go for them anyway, so I decided to give it a shot.

…

Munch… munch…

Hmm…

Hmm…

Well, how do I put this?

It’s not really my thing.

See, despite it being presented as a sweet and savoury item of sorts, I could only taste one thing.

The saltiness.

And I’m just gonna say that I’m not a fan of salty bread with meat with veg. In fact, once I’m done with my first bite I was just grimacing subconsciously, with my colleague opposite me giving me the same exact expression.

Not gooddd.

But to be fair, the crispy side of the bun does provide some crunch, although that does nought to relieve the less-than-pleasant taste that emits from the rest of the bun.

Verdict

At the end of the line…

The milk tea bun is good. The sweet potato with red bean one got my vote. The pepper bun, while not exactly enticing to me, is pretty alright too.

But sorry Braised Meat Bun…

I just can’t pass you. Although hey, it could just be a different taste kind of thing. 

Earl Grey Bubble Tea bun: 3.5/5

Sweet Potato with Red Bean: 3.75/5

Pepper Bun: 3/5

Braised Meat Bun: 1/5

So anyway, if you’re crazy for all things Taiwan…

You know where to drop by this weekend. And it’s not just the aforementioned items that are available in BreadTalk outlets either. There’re other interesting ones out there like…

Chocolate Malt Bubble Tea Toast (巧克力珍珠土司)

Earl Grey Bubble Tea Bun (伯爵珍奶)

& many, many more!

Do take note, however, that the limited-time items will only be in stores till 31 October. So you gotta be fast about it.

And that brings us…

To the end of this article, which was rather coincidentally penned by a writer who loves bread. So you can kinda trust his judgement.

Extra emphasis on the kinda.

All jokes aside, the latest additions are worth a shot, although like I mentioned you’re better off without the braised meat one. So with that in mind, I shall bid you goodbye, and I hope you have a very good weekend. 🙂

By the way, you do know that NTUC Enterprise is buying over Kopitiam, right? Who is noisier: Bread or Kopi?