The red bean bun is a treat found at your local
asian grocery or
Hong Kong-style bakery. The snacks can be purchased frozen, individually wrapped, or fresh from the bakery.
Uwajimaya sells them steamed in the
food court.
Their source of
deliciousness is red bean paste and, of course,
sugar. Occasionally lard or shortening is added to the mixture. The bun itself is most commonly a steamed white bread or some other kind of sweet bread or pastry. The individually wrapped variety is most typically cheap white bread with some lumpy sugar crap inside, and is usually
stale and
flavorless. Freshly baked red bean buns from your local asian bakery may be more like a flaky pastry and may contain sesame seeds or other tasty embellishments.
Best when enjoyed with
pearl tea.