Taipei Dainty Bakery is a long-established vegetarian bakery that previously operated from a brick-and-mortar location opposite Cabramatta train station. Due to the impact of the pandemic, the bakery closed its storefront and now functions as a pick-up-only service from Seven Hills, while also maintaining a regular stall at the Chatswood Mall Market.
Pineapple Mooncake ($3.50)
This mooncake featured a generous filling with a rich, delectable pineapple flavour that wasn’t overly sweet. The texture was thick and slightly chewy, with no noticeable fibres. The pastry was a finely crumbed buttery shortbread, providing just the right amount of flavour and texture without overshadowing the pineapple.
Pineapple Cake ($3.50 for 2 pcs)
Each package contained two pieces of pineapple cake in the traditional rectangular shape, measuring approximately 4 x 3 x 1.5 cm. The filling and pastry were identical to those in the mooncake, but the smaller size and fully enclosed pastry resulted in a higher pastry-to-filling ratio. While the buttery pastry was enjoyable, we preferred the mooncake’s more generous amount of pineapple filling.
Longan Mooncake ($3.50)
The longan mooncake contained bits of dried longan, adding its signature smoky fruitiness. However, the mung bean paste base was quite evident in the grainy texture, though it didn’t detract from the overall flavour. As with the pineapple version, the filling-to-pastry ratio was spot-on, and the pastry maintained its finely crumbed, buttery quality. We preferred the richer, brighter flavour of the pineapple mooncake.
Curry Pastry ($5.00)
The pastry was notably thick, with a crumbly and somewhat dry texture. It carried a distinct sweetness that extended into the filling. The filling itself included raisins and cubes of yam, contributing additional sweetness and a soft, starchy texture. The curry element presented more as a mildly spiced aroma than a pronounced flavour, with minimal heat and a predominantly sweet profile overall. While the fragrance was pleasant, the balance leaned too heavily towards sweetness, and the filling-to-pastry ratio felt uneven. Not a pastry one would return for.
Overall, we were delighted by the pineapple cake from Taipei Dainty Bakery. Their excellent flavour, perfect texture, and remarkable affordability make them a treat we would gladly repurchase.
Taipei Dainty Bakery is located at 2/18 Bearing Rd, Seven Hills NSW 2147 and Chatswood Mall Market (Thu-Fri, 9 AM – 7 PM).