You’ve heard that fresh is better, right? Right. In this case, it applies to buying buns like these from Asian bakeries instead of Asian markets.

The mixed buns in this box from a Chinese market featured four different flavors: coconut, coconut and cream, red bean, and custard. Overall, I wasn’t too impressed with any of them. But that was because I was comparing the pastries to the ones I buy at Chinatown bakeries. Those buns are bigger and much fresher tasting.

The coconut-filled bun.

The coconut and cream one. I did like the cream filling.

And the soft coconut shavings weren’t bad, either.

At about $1 a piece for these buns, I’ll stick with buying the ones from Chinatown, which can be had for 20 cents to 50 cents more each.