Pineapple King Bakery - San Francisco

Pineapple King Bakery is known for the delicious pineapple buns in San Francisco. We were in town for a few days and we went there after early dinner in new Chinatown to pick up some buns to go. There was a line around 15 people to order the buns so that validated the buns popularity. We walked up to the cashier and ordered ,at a little take out window, the guava butter pineapple bun, original pineapple bun and croissant egg tart. We absolutely loved the guava butter pineapple bun and the original bun. They were fresh, warm and baked perfectly. The dough moist, light and the crust was crunchy, flaky and crumbly but didn’t fall apart when you bite into it. The guava butter was very fruity but not too sweet or too rich, just delightful and delicious. The croissant egg tart was just ok and the croissant layers were a bit heavy and too much butter for our taste and it didn’t wow us at all. We ended up going back to Pineapple King Bakery couple more times while we were only in town for 3 days. Next time we are in SF, we want to try the mooncakes, milk tea and get a box of the sampler pineapple buns with different butter. This bakery doesn’t have indoor seatings. Since there’s always line of people to order, best to order online and schedule the pickup time before going in to avoid the line to purchase. Do check on their website for menu and new promotions. Note that the in person orders are cash only. We can’t wait for our next visit to Pineapple King Bakery.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 3

This counter-only place is delicious! Came here on a friend’s recommendation on Sunday afternoon, and there was a line but service was super fast, barely any wait. I got the pineapple butter bun - their bestseller - and the matcha mochi red bean bun. The pineapple butter bun - which is a bun with a slice of butter in the middle - was the perfect mix of crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The matcha mochi red bean bun was also good and chewy, but there wasn’t as much filling as I expected. The pineapple butter bun was superior in my opinion.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pineapple Bun 菠蘿包

I was a regular years ago, picking up my usual unsweetened HK milk tea with tea eggs, so when I found out they no longer carried tea eggs, I felt they’d gone too commercial. This feeling quickly subsided as I munched on their decadent pandan butter bun, the warmed bun against chilled buttery mochiness soothing my cruel, dark soul.

Although I am still gutted by the fact they decided to cut out some of their HK classics to cater to a trendier customer base, I have grown to understand. I’d much rather see a local shop make it big than have another Starbucks on the block.

Cash only, there will most likely be at least a 10-15 min line unless you visit in a weekday morning.

Great pineapple buns. So many varieties and very fresh. Pro tip Order on the website and check in at the pick up window. They will fill your order right away regardless of the pick up time.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Custard, Pastry, Pastries, Fresh Baked Daily, Buns, Pineapple Bun, Salted Egg, Pineapple Bun With, Pineapple Bun 菠蘿包

My favorite is the pineapple bun with plain butter. It’s the perfect spot if you’re looking for a nice local snack on Irving! Only complaint is that I also ordered a pineapple bun with custard and they only gave me a plain pineapple bun. Overall, delicious food and quick service!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Bun with Butter, Pineapple Butter Roll

Pineapple Custard Bun had a light, soft, yet crunchy exterior that was delightful. Creamy, light, and not so sweet interior. (2.25$)

The Ham and Egg Bun was decently large for the price and offered a light airy spongy egg with a slab of ham as well as some cheese sauce. Very light and tasty. (2.55$)

The Taro Coconut Cream Egg Tart had a light and crispy outside with a very tasty taro filling. It wasn’t too sweet, but was very refreshing. (4.95$)

Total for all three was 9.75. Only Cash accepted!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Custard, Pineapple Bun, Egg Bun

Extremely good, definitely as good as the pineapple buns we had in Hong Kong, if not better.

The one thing that hurt the experience was that they use tape on the drink lids to stop them from leaking, and this makes every sip have a taste of tape adhesive in it, which is unhealthy and ruins the drink. Definitely proactively ask them for no tape on the drink lid

Very good pineapple buns, like the ones you eat in Hong Kong. Very authentic. There's just one problem, they use clear glue to seal the rims of their drinks. Every sip I took had the taste of clear glue, so it was a bit of a shame

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Pineapple Bun with Butter, Salted Egg, Pineapple Bun With

The pineapple bun was really good—very soft and one of the best ones I've had.

I just wasn't aware that this place only accepts cash for in-store orders, so I had to order online instead.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Pineapple Bun

Usually I’m in love with this bakery, but I was really disappointed this time. The salted egg pineapple bun was so plain, dry, and barely filled. It seemed like the bun was sitting around all day. I was expecting a warm, gooey filling, but it was very underwhelming. Luckily the guava butter pineapple did redeem it and was excellent. Warm, fresh, and delicious. The butter was melting into the bread

Food: 3

cash only! this place can get super busy at times, but today i came on a rainy day and there was no line. it was a few of my friends first time trying it and they all loved the buns. my favorite is the pandas coconut butter bun, and their warm teas are also a perfect complement. the buns are fluffy and the tops are nice and crispy and they’ve been so consistent every time i’ve come. would 100% come back again

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bun with Butter, Pineapple Bun

I live in Lexington, KY. I received a phone call from this Bakery. It said "suspected spam" with it. That is suspicious.

Love the pineapple buns! As someone from Hong Kong, I do think that their pineapple buns are high quality. Cash only so come prepared. Often times there are lines but if you can make it weekdays late morning, it’s very fast!

Food: 5

Service: 5

One of the best pineapple bun places I’ve ever tried. So many flavors to choose from! The milk tea was great too. Hong Kong feel.

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Coconut, Pineapple Bun with Butter, Salted Egg

Our friend highly recommended Pineapple King Bakery to us, saying that they serve various flavors and it's really delicious. There is always a line in front of the store, but the wait wasn't too bad. We had a total of 7 different flavors, and our favorites were their signature pineapple king bun and salty egg yolk pineapple bun.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Custard, Pineapple Bun, Salted Egg, Pineapple Bun 菠蘿包

I think you're over rated or could be I needed to eat it fresh from the oven..custard was too sweet and googy...kids didn't like it either....that being said, I feel you have THE BEST EGG tart...how it's higher and toasted on the outside...not as crumbling..flavor was more complex than just straight sugar... would wait in line again anytime I am in the area for sure...it's NOT a traditional egg tart such as Golden Gate Bakery style but it was ..again,in my opinion amazingly delicious!!!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4