The local folk legends on the origin of this affectionately named "Wife cake" range from the respectable street vendor to support his family to an aggrieved husband commemorating his wife who sold herself to slavery. Whichever sob story you want to believe in, this local comfort treat hits the spot when hunger pangs draw you in to the smell and sight of golden brown pastries neatly arranged on stacked trays. Tai Tong bakery is a long established Hong Kong bakery from 1943 and can be found inside the paid areas of MTR concourses- a feat itself. Its wife cakes are one of its many specialities and feature at least 3 varieties including the classic sweet winter melon; sweet red bean paste and black sesame paste.
Having tried at least 2 different brands of fresh (not prepackaged) wife cakes, what sets Tai Tong wife cakes apart is its appearance, texture, filling and taste. Tai Tong consistently delivers on the characteristic golden brown exterior, sometimes adorned with sesame seeds which arouses any hungry passerby. The delicately soft and crumbly pastry is appealingly light on the palate, leaving little trace of the usually heavy lard or fatty aftertaste of other wife cakes which I dislike. Furthermore, it compliments the generously thick filling that other brands tend to skimp on. The filling is subtly sweetened, emphasizing the natural flavor of the key ingredient- be it winter melons or red beans. One serving is about $9.0 and will satisfy any inter meal cravings.
Recommended to tourists who want a take on Cantonese pastry.
