Don’t you hate it when Melbourne gets something before Sydney? OK Melbourne getting Nobu first hurt more but Beard Papa was apparently something that had a lot of people crying foul. So when Beard Papa came to Sydney a while back, a lot of people were loudly relieved.
Ahhh what is this divine puffy choux that inspires rapturous musings and raves and a legion of imitators? Its the bizarrely named Japanese Beard Papa choux pastry. I had tried Barby’s (ugh, never again!) and Puffy (delicious outer, average inner) so I was eager to try what some say is the “original”. There are two Beard Papa stores currently in Sydney, one in Chatswood Westfield and one at Macquarie Centre.
Alongside the puffs are an assortment of other sweets like Chocolate fondant (puddings), cheesecake sticks etc. I will not be distracted in my mission and I order one vanilla puff and one mixed berry (today’s special along with chocolate). We watch her fill each puff to order. The service is very Japanese in cuteness and politeness although unlike Japan where you’d probably get a puff in an individual box, these are put into a paper bag which is decidedly less glamourous.
We try the vanilla one first, the choux is very crunchy and dry on the outside and the custard filling is like a creme patisserie inside. Its not particularly vanilla beany-as you can see in the pic the bean flecks are not really abundant (I only spy two measly specks in this pic!) but it is very rich and its filled to the brim with custard (Puffy’s weren’t and had a large gap). I don’t know if I like the outer though as the Puffy choux had the most divine biscuitty crust on top which this is missing. Out of the two, sadly I am with the alleged imitator although the filling itself and amount of filling in Beard Papa’s is better.
Next we try the mixed berry and whilst the outer is the same, the stronger and very authentic flavour of the berry is better with the dry choux. Its very similar in flavour to a creamy mixed berry yogurt without the bitterness and out of the two I prefer this.
So in my perfect world, old enemies would unite and produce a Superpuff, the biscuitty topped Puffy choux filled with the silky rich filled to the brim custard of Beard Papa!
1 for $2.50
6 for $12
P.S. A dear reader Nic tried a Puffy puff and reported back getting Vanilla bean in her custard so perhaps Puffy have improved the filling!
Beard Papa Sweets
K353A Chatswood Westfield
1 Anderson Street, Chatswood
Sydney NSW 2067
Phone: +61 (02) 9412 2214
Also at Macquarie Centre, Marsfield
www.beardpapasweets.com.au
8 Comments | Add your own
Hi! I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now, and I absolutely love it!
I just wanted to tell you that I had Puffy a few days ago and I concur that there’s lots of vanilla bean in it. Also, I ended up making a mess of my fingers - that’s how much filling there was!
Having said that, I still prefer Beard Papa’s choux pastry, I find puffy’s crunchy one a bit annoying.
But since you like the crunchy one, maybe you should give it another ago! It could quite possibly turn out to be the SUPERPUFF of your dreams after all!
I’ve had Beard Papas both here and in Tokyo, and I’ve had Puffy’s. In Tokyo they don’t come in individual boxes but in paper bags, exactly the same as here. (If you’re interested, I have photos of the experience in Japan.) When I had Beard Papa’s here, the filling had lots of vanilla beans, so maybe you had bad luck?
I do like the crispyness of Puffy’s, but prefer Beard Papa’s because of the filling. Possibly also because of the nostalgia (ah, Shibuya!)
Hi Lesley-Thanks and welcome!
Ahh that’s great, they must’ve realised that the custard wasn’t very good and that the addition of vanilla bean and more filling was required to keep up with Beard Papa! Was it still a little runny though? The BP one was very “solid” even though it was full so there was no danger of getting it all over one’s fingers.
Hehe I confess I do love the cookie crunch on top of Puffy’s. I thought that the BP ones weren’t quite sweet enough with just the dusting of icing sugar.
Here’s hoping to a Superpuff!
Hi Alison-In tokyo, do they have a way where they don’t get crushed? They’re quite delicate and I know that in Tokyo they always package things well for a long commute home. My sister bought a cake from there and they packaged it brilliantly with dry ice sachets and made sure that the border wouldn’t get smudged.
Sure would love to see pics! I miss Tokyo so any pics are more than welcome.
I think I’m all alone in my Puffy love anyway
I am the “original”. I like both Beard Papa’s and Puffy’s and also Barby’s. I would like one of those christmas trees.
Hi Cappucino-hehe the tree would be great wouldn’t it! It would definitely feel everyone at Christmas lunch!
Hi to All Beard Papa Sweets Lovers…!!
We are the owner from Macquarie Centre. Thank you for all the lovely comments about our puffs and creams…
Whenever you are at our area, do drop by and share with us your very comment and try out one of our freshly “try-out” mini puffs!! (no hard feelings promise)
Even better, if you need a hand for desert catering, we will be more happy to help you Beard papa sweets lovers..!!
Meantime, hope to see you all soon!!
Hugs and keep tasting..
Ivan & Elaine
Hi Lil-Thanks for your message. I’ve never seen a “try out” mini puff but they sound interesting
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