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Most American diners don't associate Asian foods with dessert. They think about sushi and spring rolls,
maybe even pad thai. Sweets are limited to a fortune cookie and a milky Thai iced tea, though there are many sweet
offerings in the countries that have inspired these foods. One treat, as an article in the SF Guardian pointed out, did achieve
success: boba (bubble) tea, though its heyday seems to have passed and there are no longer a dozen joints a day
springing up in college towns.
Two companies think that they can continue the trend and bring their Asian treats to mainstream America. One is Beard Papa, a chain that sells only cream puffs and has become very popular not only for its high quality puffs, but for its novelty. They have done very well so far, and more locations are opening all the time.
Hui Lau Shan, a dessert store known as the "Starbucks of China" to some, is the other chain trying to make inroads into America after a name change to Creation Desserts. Hui Lau Shan started as a medicinal shop and still carries many unique, herbal items, in addition to their many fruity sweets. One such "functional food" is "kwai ling ko, a bitter black jelly made from the lower plastrons of land tortoises." Creation Desserts carries on some of the herbal items, but specializes in traditionally Asian sweets, focusing primarily on mangos. Their mango pudding and sago jelly drinks are popular, but their most famous item is fresh mango mochi, a sweet rice cake with mango.
Will these chains succeed in their goals? It depends. Beard Papa is opening many new locations, but will have to be careful not to over-saturate the market, like Krispy Kreme did. Creation Dessert's herbal turtle jelly is unlike to catch on - health benefits or no - but their fresh mango offerings could be a huge hit as long as they maintain the quality and strength of their supply.
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4-30-2006 @11:42AM Sir Not Appearing in this Blog said... Well, Beard Papa isn't selling an Asian dessert. Cream puffs are distinctly european, though they are tremendously popular in Japan.
And if you get to eat one of their cream puffs, do. They are the best cream puffs I've ever had. The custard is rich and creamy and the pastry is light and has a wonderful crisp exterior. The nice thing is they won't fill the puffs until you place your order, so the pastry never has the chance to get soggy.
There's a Beard Papa at the Marukai in Gardena, if you're looking for one. It's in the Pacific Square Mall. Here's the address:
1610 West Redondo Beach Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
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