Just One Food - Fried Bun with Red Bean Paste

"Harm Chim Peng" or "salty fried dough" is some kind of a Chinese fried bun and a very popular street snack here in Malaysia.

 

You'd usually find these fried buns selling alongside "yau char kwai" (fried Chinese crullers) and other types of fried buns.

 

It usually comes in 3 variations, either with five spice powder, glutinous rice or red bean paste.  I would consider the first two as more savoury while the last one is savoury-sweet.

There's only one place that sells these fried snacks in my neighbourhood and that is the stall in front of Restoran 2020 in Pandan Indah. 

I'm referring to the fried bun with red bean paste filling @ RM0.80/pc although they also sell yau char kwai and other fried buns.  But those pale in comparison to the best fried bun here....which is the red bean paste bun!

For me, my favourite yau char kwai is still from the stall in SS2 PJ and I also like some of the fried buns from Imbi but none can beat the fried red bean paste bun here! 

 

First of all, the bun has this incredibly crispy exterior (if you eat it immediately) that's fragrant and slightly savoury with a soft bun texture in the centre.  Secondly, what makes it stand out among the rest is the not too sweet red bean paste filling inside.

The red bean paste takes on a nice darkish red colour (unlike some that looks darkish brown or almost black) and tastes really good.  I would, sometimes, buy the other fried buns if I need a bit of variety but, most of the time, I'd stick with the red bean paste bun.

If you happen to be in the vicinity, do drop by this coffee shop and get yourself this particular bun.  I'm not sure what time he opens shop exactly but I usually find him there in the late afternoons, probably 4 - 6.30 pm is your best bet (although he says he starts after lunch and, if business is good that day, he'll be all sold out before 7pm).   Who would have thought that I'd find one of the best fried buns right under my nose!

Try this fried bun with red bean paste filling.....a 'must have' (the rest is a 'can have' or a 'can miss') and you'll know just how amazing this bun is! ;)