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“Oui oui baguette”—this joke amongst non-francophones is probably the first thing one thinks of when attempting to speak (read: butcher) the French language. But this phrase lends credence to the popularity of baguettes and the importance of viennoiseries (baked goods made from leavened dough) in representing French culture on the global stage.
For centuries, bakers from l’Hexagone have flocked to all corners of the globe to spread this culinary art form. Nowadays, Hongkongers get to enjoy the fruits of their labour, as these boulangeries (bakeries) gather in the city to serve their customers a range of delightful bakes—delectable whether paired with jam, baked with fruits, or served with soup.
Whether you are looking for a quick sandwich for lunch or on the prowl for the most luxurious artisanal bread to compliment a full-course dinner, here are the best French bakeries in Hong Kong that are guaranteed to make you exclaim “Oh là là!”
With as many as 14 stores across Hong Kong, Maison Kayser is a frequent go-to for office workers during the week, as well as a popular spot for weekend meet-ups. Don’t be fooled by the sandwiches and omelettes on the menu—Maison Kayser’s speciality lies in its bread. What makes these baked goods special is the subtle taste of milk and hazelnut, and the secret lies in the shop’s use of all-natural leaven. On top of that, to recreate traditional French artisanal baking techniques, each piece of dough is hand-kneaded by its bakers. Talk about dedication!
For a full experience of Maison Kayser’s bread, head to your nearest location for a sweet break with a pastry or dessert of your choice along with coffee, tea, or juice. For an at-home experience, get the sourdough or traditional baguette to go.
Invention versus tradition—a tale as old as time. But what about invention and tradition? To Gontran Cherrier, being a French baker means using long-standing techniques as a base and kneading local flavours and global influences into his recipes. His shop has reflected this sentiment with uniquely flavoured croissants both classic and novel, like the raspberry cloud croissant topped with meringue and dried raspberries, then gently brûléed with a torch. For a savoury viennoiserie, opt for the French-Asian fusion curry grain baguette.
Keeping in mind our plant-based friends and those conscious of their sugar intake, Gontran Cherrier has also withheld butter and sugar from some of its recipes. Be on the lookout for the red sticker on the baked goods’ labels to indicate these characteristics, like the mini baguette and the pain de mie complet.
Gontran Cherrier, B2/F, K11 Musea, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 3892 3890
With credentials from the finest culinary establishments in France, husband-and-wife team Camille Moenne-Loccoz and Dominique Yau have since moved into Tai Hang to serve the neighbourhood with scrumptious creations. Instead of taking the effort to adorn its goods with embellishments, Plumcot focuses its attention on what’s within, making its pastries and viennoiseries by hand on a daily basis and sourcing ingredients from France and other European countries to achieve the best quality possible.
As a small independent business, Plumcot creates new baked goods on a rotational basis, but be on the lookout for the lovely almond croissant and the signature Plumcot brioche. If you head to Plumcot on the weekends, you’ll happen upon decadent treats like the strawberry croissants, available only on Sundays. Plumcot is also known for its artisanal ice cream, so be sure to grab one (or two) on the way out.
Plumcot, G/F, 10A Sun Chun Street, Tai Hang | (+852) 2573 6293
Bakehouse is one of the first names that come to mind when Hongkongers are craving pastries. Founded in 2013 as a humble wholesale bakery that specialises in supplying handcrafted sourdough and other house specials to the finest kitchens and restaurants in town, founder Grégoire Michaud was able to open his first neighbourhood shop in Wan Chai five years later.
While its egg tarts are unquestionably the most popular item, its French pastries are just as delectable. Take a bite of the chocolate croissant garnished with flaky sea salt or try any of the iconic sourdough options on the menu, which are sure to satisfy any bread cravings.
If you prefer more “natural” pastries without any bread improvers, additives, synthetic flavourings, or preservatives, head over to Levain Bakery. As one of the rare bakeries that uses 100 percent levain in its sourdoughs, customers can choose from more than 10 different types of sourdough. Thanks to levain’s flexibility in fermentation, bakers can tailor the flavour profile of the bread more than with other starters.
Aside from its many sourdough breads, Levain also sells other breads and pastries, ranging from baguettes and batards, to an array of croissants and pain au chocolat. All these and more can be found at its café branches in Hong Kong.
The team at Proof, a bakery in Happy Valley, insists on serving fresh bread only. Open daily, it uses unbleached flour, water, salt, and levain, plus all of its pastries are made fresh on-site every day! Customers have the option to either order online or visit its physical store to buy a loaf of bread still warm from the oven. We wholeheartedly recommend visiting the bakery in person, even if just to snap some pics of the adorable orange exterior and grab its bestselling cinnamon roll on your way out! Additionally, any surplus product unsold at the end of the day is donated to charity, avoiding unnecessary waste.
Proof, 14 Tsun Yuen Street, Happy Valley | (+852) 6542 9788
A staple in Central, Frenchies’s name comes from the moniker for French expats that have since formed communities in places they consider home. Drawing from that sense of adaptivity, Frenchies’s creativity is apparent through the shop’s signature espresso cinnamon rolls, where its own house-blend coffee powder shines through as the star ingredient. Frenchies may be full of creative twists, but it takes pride in perfecting the classics, like the ever-popular croissant. Sourcing flour all the way from the east of Paris and butter from the region of Normandy, its viennoiseries are of high (and delicious) calibre.
Frenchies, G/F, 39–43 Hollywood Road, Central
First published on 4 July 2022. Written by Mina Chan. Last updated by Punita Chan.
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