Pineapple King Bakery - San Francisco — Restaurant in San Francisco

Came here around 5:45 p.m. on a Saturday for a snack with my partner. The line was long, but it did not wrap around the block yet. I'm not sure if the people who ended up behind us in line throughout our wait were cut off because it was consistently busy, all the way up until closing time. There was a big group of friends in front of us that made a huge order. We all stood around the front area to wait for the food; be careful of cars trying to park and of blocking other businesses too.

They were sold out of several items we wanted (BBQ pork bun and curry beef bun) and we noticed that they gave us an extra bun, probably to make up for it. That's really sweet of them! The service from the cashier to the pick-up window was exceptionally friendly.

I love that they taped their box. It was a 45 minute wait from beginning to end. Here's what we got:

Salted egg butter pineapple bun - I was worried about this being too rich; the thickness of the butter intimidated me. I think the butter must be mixed with something else instead of it being pure butter. The saltiness of the salted egg complimented the sweetness of the pineapple topping so well. Eating it felt luxurious. Highly recommend drinking coffee or a hot beverage to balance it out.

Salted egg custard - The main star was the fluffy, slightly sweet bread. The custard went so well with it!

BBQ pork pineapple bun - Great mix of fat and meat pieces. We had this for lunch the next day because we got like 4. I love that it came with reheating instructions on the box. We plopped it in the air fryer and while it was not as soft, the pineapple crust was still crumbly and it was a satisfying meal. The BBQ pork was not too sweet nor too salty. The ratio of meat to bread was good too.

Spam and egg bun - My partner wanted a more substantial snack and he said he was underestimating this, but ended up really liking it. The spam and egg were cushioned by really soft bread.

Overall there's no wonder why this spot is so popular. I'm glad I finally got to try...

Pineapple King Bakery – A Must-Try Hong Kong Style Bakery in San Francisco

Located in the Sunset District of San Francisco near Golden Gate Park, Pineapple King Bakery has earned its reputation as a local favorite for Hong Kong-style baked goods. Known for their creative twists on traditional treats, the bakery draws a steady crowd—especially on weekend mornings, when parking can be a real challenge. Pro tip: Order online in advance and choose pickup to save time and secure your items. Note that on-site purchases are cash only.

Even with a pre-order, be prepared to wait a bit, as they only start packing the order once you check in at the store. Still, the process is organized, and the staff carefully verifies your identity before handing off your order—an appreciated touch of professionalism.

The storefront itself is compact but charming, showcasing sample models of their products, from signature pineapple buns to flaky tarts, along with a nostalgic family photo featuring their beloved buns.

I ordered the Craft Tart Box, which includes five standout items: • Croissant Egg Tart • Taro Egg Tart • Matcha Red Bean Egg Tart • Mango Coconut Pudding Tart • Strawberry Coconut Pudding Tart (Seasonal Special)

Each tart was beautifully layered and crispy, with rich fillings. The fruit-based ones were made with real fruit and creamy pudding. The Matcha Red Bean Tart was a personal favorite—perfectly balanced and deeply flavorful.

I also tried two of their famous pineapple buns: the BBQ pork (savory with a salty edge) and the ube (sweet and creamy). Both were crispy on the outside, soft and rich on the inside, and absolutely lived up to the hype.

Despite some logistical quirks, Pineapple King Bakery delivers excellent quality and flavors, making it a must-visit for lovers of Hong Kong-style pastries. Just plan ahead and...

Right around the corner from my place, I can smell their tempting bakeries every single day and every time I try to avoid them, the more tempted I am and I end up getting more than I can finish! The line can go all around the block on weekends and special occasions. Taro, Ube, guava butter and plain pineapple are my go to buns but if u r not sure just start with their Deluxe box( more like a mini sampler box) Tip: Pre-order online from their website and save time standing in line. They only take cash @ the store, so ordering online can save u both time n U can pay by any credit card! Update: Had to knock off a star for the rude service today. Didn’t even had to wait in line today, so was excited that I had the whole place for myself and could finally take time to order all that I wanted, even though I already knew what I would get. “ what do you want” was not the greeting I expected. They didn’t have plain buns that I wanted so had to shuffle my order at which point I could clearly see cashier’s smirky reaction and talking to other employees inside( couldn’t understand their language), but I could clearly sense that it was related to what I was ordering! Asked politely to wrap in a box since it was a gift to one of my friends and even offered to charge extra for the box, which they didn’t (good enough) . However, the cashier’s interactions with other employees throughout simply sounded rude to me and Im pretty sure she was not happy that I was asking for simple adjustments and complaining it to other employees inside!! I would still go for their...