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I love Beard Papa: great name, great logo, great product. That’s probably why there are 300 outlets around the world since the first one opened in Osaka, Japan in 1999. The only two Canadian stores are in Vancouver and Richmond, B.C.
Beard Papa makes cream puffs… amazing, delicious, addictive cream puffs with all-natural ingredients.
The basic puff is made of Beard Papa’s “patented two-layer pastry recipe”: a pie-crust type outer shell and then the French choux pastry inner shell, filled with whipped vanilla custard made from organically grown vanilla beans.
Beard Papa apparently bakes these shells several times a day.
Never having had one before, we thought the plain cream puff looked boring, so we opted for an eclair, with the chocolate on top.
Really, it wouldn’t have made a difference. The custard is so fantastically fresh, it makes everything taste good. The shell just brings the party, first crunchy and then spongy.
It was hard not to buy another one, but we didn’t want to spoil our dinner.
There are other cream puff flavours, including green tea and strawberry, that are offered on a rotating schedule posted on a calendar at each outlet. (“Monday? Time for a pumpkin puff!”)
Beard Papa encourages people to eat the puffs as soon as possible, because there are no preservatives so they don’t keep well. I don’t think that’s a problem.
Beard Papa, Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond, B.C. and 1184 Denman St., Vancouver.
Ok, they need to be putting one of these into WEM, PRONTO!!!
Me wanty.
Aberdeen Centre is the one with the Daiso right? Did you go? Was it awesome? My favorite stuff from Daiso is the little gift bags and wrappings.
Wow.. we were just there over the weekend at Aberdeen too, wishing we read your Hakkasan review before we left. Did you try the deep fried squid at the shop around the corner?
Bert: No deep fried squid for us. We were pushing spoiling our dinner as it was with the eclair.
Dez: Yup. I ALWAYS go to Daiso when I visit Vancouver. Can’t stay away from it. I love the little dishes – although not the most convenient things to pack when it’s time to leave.
It seems your experience with Beard Papa’s has been way better than mine. I have had them a couple of times from the Richmond location and, although it was good, it did not that WOW! factor. Blame the high expectations, I guess.
As a side note, as you mentioned, currently there are two locations (Aberdeen Centre in Richmond and English Bay in Vancouver); however, there are two additional locations to be open soon: City Square (across Vancouver City Hall) and Crystal Mall (next to Metrotown in Burnaby). I was in Crystal Mall last weekend but don’t think I saw any “Opening Soon” sign.
I was sad when I moved back to YYC from NYC area…. what glee I have when I get to go back and visit these cream puffs! I have to love the specks of vanilla, and the nice dusting of icing sugar (oh, darn!!!!). I’ve always been curious about the green tea though, but never arrived on the right day. I guess I have an excuse to travel westward too, oh darn
Shocking to hear that there are still people who have never had one of these.
And the “plain” vanilla ones are not boring at all, I love them!
One of the things I loved the most about Japan was that you could buy cream puffs anywhere — even the 7-11. But buying a bunch at the train station rocked because then you could snack on them as you passed through the countryside.
Just ANOTHER reason why we must have been separated at birth! Had my first Beard Papa in Hawaii and dream of them every so often! Last time was in NY when I forced my friend to help me find it. So cool: little shop/bakery/hangout was packed with Japanese (-American?) students. My mouth is watering just thinking of those puffs!
A little late but I love me some Beard Papa!
If you’re a chocolate fan, next time be sure to try the chocolate fondant. Sooo good.
Richmond is full of great places to eat. Nearby Ajisen Ramen (in Parker Place) and Kiyo Sushi (5 road and Cambie) are some of my other fave places too!