Maxim's Bakery - Burnaby, BC

Another day at the world's busiest/worst malls ever...  I know it'll be hell when I walk in but I always end up walking in anyways.  I think I'm a masochist.  My stomach is growling and I need a snack - not too much since I have a dinner coming up so I just need a lil somethin' somethin' to just tie me over.  I head over to the nearest bakery...

Maxim's has been around for a million years (not sure what the real time is) and has expanded into 6 locations all over the Lower Mainland.  It was the first Asian bakery I ever frequented and have been going for years since.  

I always get the usual fare here - BBQ pork buns, cocktail buns, pineapple buns, etc - and they're ok here.  Not as rich and filled as some of the other Asian bakeries out there but for the price, it's not bad.  However, there's a sign on the wall that catches my eye: egg white egg tarts on Saturdays.  That sounds like it could be interesting...

Egg White Tarts - $1.80 (3)

The pastry is more dense and cookie-like rather than the crumbly light pastry version that other bakeries have.  The custard isn't as rich as the regular version and you can definitely taste the egg white and the absence of the egg yolk...  It's not bad but Mr. Piglet prefers his regular egg tarts more.  Sure, maybe it might have less cholesterol but if you're eating egg tarts, you're not eating them everyday so might as well go for the real thing.

Custard Bun - $0.55

Another pastry item that isn't found as often at other Asian bakeries, Mr. Piglet loves this bun.  He has an unnatural love for custards that I don't understand.  He says the custard is creamy and the bun holds it really well.  I wish the bread was just a bit more rich to match the custard and there needs to be a better filling to bread ratio (looks kind of empty eh?)

Pineapple Danish - $0.55

Lots of pineapple but the pastry tastes like all of the other ones there, the only thing that changes is the fruit.  Either way, it's tasty but not awesome.


We've been to Maxim's before and we always end up going back but not because it's the best bakery but because the buns are cheap, there's free parking in both the Richmond and Burnaby locations and it's convenient.  The buns and cakes are average, nothing to write home about, but they're not bad either.  They fill the tummy and don't empty the wallets.  Visit if you like but you won't be missing out if you skip it either, especially when Asian bakeries are abound in this town!  Bon appetite!


Pros:

• Cheap
• Free parking
• Fast service
• Fresh baked goods (since the turnover is so high)

Cons:

• Average tasting buns
• Average sized buns
• Buns need more filling!