KAJANG, Nov 9 – When is too much of a good thing...
a very good thing indeed? I am pondering this exact question as I tear the fluffy, still warm bao i nto half. The exterior, while an appealing peppery colour speckled with black seeds, is plain enough. Yet it’s the filling that enthralls me – a wholesome blend of emerald green, almond white and obsidian.
Pandan infused lotus paste with aromatic flecks of white and black sesame seeds. This Pandan Lotus Bao is delicately fragrant and an absolute delight. I could easily eat half a dozen more of it, despite its hefty size, if it weren’t for the other bao flavours I have yet to try.
That we happened to stumble upon the shop that sold these baos entirely by accident is simply a beautiful bonus. The shop in question is Tarkshi Baker House in Kajang. Located at one of the nondescript lots at Gerai Medan Selera along Jalan Bukit, we certainly didn’t notice the Tarkshi Baker House at first.
Truth be told, if we hadn’t parked right opposite the shop (we were in the neighbourhood for coffee at a café nearby), we wouldn’t have even seen it. Thankfully we did and we are equally grateful for our curiosity (or gluttony, as it were) when we noticed the sandwich board at the entrance advertising the colourful baos they offered. Once inside, we marvelled at the basic but efficient setup: towers of traditional bamboo steamers stacked up on the right; trays of steamed buns on the left, ready to be packed once they have cooled dow.
