Wu Pao Chun Bakery (吳寶春麥方店) is an artisan bakery that has gained a well-deserved reputation in Taiwan. It was founded by the talented Taiwanese baker, Wu Pao Chun, who achieved international acclaim when he won the esteemed Master Baker title at the 2010 Bakery World Cup in Paris. This bakery is truly a testament to his skill and dedication to the craft.
With several locations across Taiwan, including Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Tainan, Wu Pao Chun Bakery has become a household name for bread and pastry enthusiasts. If you’re planning to visit one of their outlets, you can easily find the addresses and opening hours on their website.
Getting there
We visited their Taipei Xinyi flagship store that is located in Taipei’s Da’an District. Just take the MRT (Tamsui-Xinyi/red line) to Xiangshan Station (R02). After exiting from Exit 2, turn right and continue straight until you see Wu Pao Chun Bakery on your left.
Wu Pao Chun Bakery
The moment we stepped inside the store, we were captivated by its intimate and refined atmosphere. The careful design of the space exuded an air of elegance and sophistication. The minimalist layout featured wooden shelves and tables, tastefully arranged to showcase their delectable baked goods.
The bakery offers an extensive range of baked goods, including bread, pastries, and cakes. The bread selection, in particular, is impressive, featuring a variety of artisanal loaves and buns that are freshly baked every day.
I have previously visited their two outlets in Singapore (Capitol & Paragon) on a few occasions. My personal favourites included the Lychee Rose Royale, Red Wine Longan, Luo Song, Royal Mentaiko and Butterfly Pastry.
As this was my first visit to a Wu Pao Chun Bakery in Taiwan, I decided to try out some of the limited edition and new flavours that I had not tasted before.
Taiwan Spring Salt Brioche 台灣春鹽布里歐
Wu Pao Chun created this Taiwan Spring Salt Brioche for the gala dinner commemorating the launch of the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Taipei in 2018. Now, it is one of the bakery’s top-selling items.
Its shape resembles that of a crown, which is quite adorable. The bread is seasoned with spring salt, hence its name. This type of salt offers a more delicate and subtle flavour compared to regular salt, which gives the bread a distinctive taste. The brioche itself is baked until it is golden brown and crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. It has a strong butter flavour, which makes it really delicious!
Rose Croissant 玫瑰雙色可頌
This pretty looking croissant has a very crispy outer layer. As you take a bite, the numerous layers of flaky pastry release a delightful aroma. The filling is bursting with the rich flavours of rose and lychee, similar to the award-winning Lychee Rose Bread, but in the form of a croissant. It’s yet another scrumptious creation from the bakery!
Kimchi Bread with Cheese and Ham 泡菜歐爸
Kimchi isn’t commonly found in bread, so I was curious to try it. The bread is soft and airy, with a slightly chewy consistency. The combination of ham, cheese, kimchi, tomatoes, and chilli peppers, along with the fluffy bread, makes this a highly satisfying savoury bread.
Cranberry Caramel Crisp 蔓越莓焦糖酥
The Cranberry Caramel Crisp seems to be a version of the Rose Croissant that has been sliced into small square pieces and combined with dried cranberries and California walnuts. This pastry has a slightly crispy exterior with a caramelised aroma, while the interior remains soft. Both the cranberries and walnuts add to the pastry’s delightful texture.
Final Thoughts
After visiting several bakeries during my trip to Taipei, I can confidently say that Wu Pao Chun Bakery lives up to its reputation. Their baked goods are of exceptional quality and taste, setting them apart from other bakeries in the city. I was impressed by the attention to detail and the use of high-quality ingredients in their products.
Overall, I highly recommend a visit to Wu Pao Chun Bakery for anyone searching for delectable, high-quality baked goods in Taipei. The bakery’s reputation as one of the city’s best is well-deserved, and their signature products are a must-try. It’s advisable to visit early in the day to ensure a better selection of freshly baked items. Bread, pastry, and cake lovers alike will all find something to love at Wu Pao Chun Bakery!