Richmond, BC | Putting some Beard on the Papa (and Happy Chinese New Year)!

While in NYC 2006, a friend told me I had to check out Beard Papa, a veritable paradise for fast-food dessert lovers, staffed by minimum-waged and acne-covered Japanese kids. The joint pumps out massive cream puffs, whose big claim to fame are their fancy cream flavours (earl grey tea, anyone?).

Needless to say I was ecstatic when Beard Papa made its way up to Canada town (thank you, jemmielina) . Turns out I wasn't the only ecstatic one: the line-up was at least 15 people long when I arrived -- Krispy Kreme fever all over again. This, ladies and gentlemen, is how I celebrated Chinese New Year -- standing in line at Aberdeen Centre waiting for Japanese cream puffs. Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Unfortunately, they really weren't as fantastic as I remember, though maybe I was just a little bitter because all flavours but vanilla were sold out (oddly, the same happened to me in New York). I'm convinced the other flavours don't exist, but are just advertised so the customers keep returning for the off-chance they may get them...