Bei's Pastry: A Hidden Chinese Confectionery Gem in Johor Bahru's Heritage Quarter

Nestled within the charming heritage enclave of Tan Hiok Nee, Bei's Pastry (鲍小贝糕点) emerges as a standout amidst JB's increasingly westernised café culture. This intimate Chinese confectionery, occupying the former premises of Salahuddin Bakery on Jalan Dhoby, specialises in authentic mainland Chinese pastries.

A Masterclass in Xiaobei Excellence

The pièce de résistance at Bei's Pastry undoubtedly lies in their meticulously crafted xiaobei (小贝), delicate shell-shaped confections that have captivated palates across China. Their signature product is their freshly-baked xiaobei that uses chicken meat floss with several flavours, offering an impressive quintet of variations that showcase the pastry chef's technical prowess.

The Seaweed Meat Floss Xiaobei stands as a savoury masterpiece, where crispy seaweed flakes and white sesame seeds in the meat floss that coated the soft cake create a harmonious marriage of umami complexity.

In contrast, the Lemon Yogurt Xiaobei presents a remarkably different flavour profile with a light lemony aroma and the yogurt-cream filling has a pleasant taste and not too sourish nor sweet.

For those seeking bolder flavours, the Salted Egg and Crab Roe variants deliver distinctively rich experiences.

Excellence in Every Bite

What elevates Bei's xiaobei is the exceptional technical execution. In the midst of each handmade xiaobei is a very soft and fluffy cake — similar to the texture of soufflé. The interior features a white-cream filling that is not too sweet. The sweetness of xiaobei comes mainly from the meat floss, showcasing a sophisticated balance that allows each component to shine.

Snowy Mochi

Beyond xiaobei, Bei's Pastry excels in their interpretation of snowy mochi (雪媚娘). Their execution demonstrates particular attention to texture, with not too much powder on the outer surface of the mochi, so it is sticky and best eaten chilled straight from the baking paper.

The Mango Snowy Mochi exemplifies this refinement, featuring soft snow-white mochi skin with cuts of mango and milky cream as its filling, whilst the Peach variant offers a complementary seasonal alternative.

Beyond Specialities

The establishment's range extends beyond these signature items to encompass many flavours of cheese tarts and egg tarts, and also croissant tart. Additional offerings also include traditional Chinese confections such as mung bean cakes, taro mousse cake, taro milk xiaobei (without meat floss), providing comprehensive options for varying preferences.

Final Verdict

Bei's Pastry represents a rare opportunity to experience authentic Chinese confectionery artistry without international travel. The establishment's commitment to traditional techniques, combined with their location in the heritage quarter an essential destination for pastry aficionados and discerning food enthusiasts seeking genuine cultural culinary experiences.

Address: Bei's Pastry, 26 Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: 7am–6pm daily