As a continuation of the series of articles for May, or Asian Appreciation Month, Falcon’s Flyer is bringing you a very special Taiwanese bakery! Aptly named Duke Bakery for its sense of richness and royalty, this chain of bakeries came straight from Singapore. Duke Bakery combines “European and Japanese influences” to make its signature dough into a myriad of impressive bread selections (“Singapore’s Duke Bakery Opens First U.S. Location in Rowland Heights”).

All made right in the back kitchen, Duke Bakery combines the traditional soft, pull-apart texture of Japanese style bread with the European style of “fermented fruit-based yeasts” for an interesting result (“Singapore’s Duke Bakery Opens First U.S. Location in Rowland Heights”). Using fruit-based yeasts mean that only little all-natural sugar and very little oil are used to still create an astounding delicious healthy alternative, as opposed to the common American refined-wheat white bread. This guilt-free bread is named “weight-loss” bread in Asia, and is uniquely ingenuous.

There is an abundant variety of delicious baked goods offered at Duke Bakery. Some sweeter breads include Chocola Cheese, which is cocoa bread filled with cream cheese, various cranberry-type breads, Okinawa Brown Sugar, and the Yam Angel, filled with yam paste. Other savory type breads include a Vegetable and Cheese bun, made with condensed milk and onion, and a Longan & Red Wine bread. This bread uses the longan, or lychee fruit, and red wine flavor. The last famous type of bread is the Hokkaido Double Cheese bread, which has “garlic, cheese, walnuts, and dried scallion” (“Singapore’s Duke Bakery Opens First U.S. Location in Rowland Heights”).

Yet, there’s a reason why this particular chain of Asian bakeries, out of the dozens in Southern California, deserve an article. Aside from the special method of making bread, Duke bakery has a very cozy layout. Its warm, caramel walls envelop a sweet scent of baking bread, and roomy aisles surround the island of bread assortments. Customers walk in and grab a mini metal cart that has tongs, parchment, paper, and a little bread basket to satisfy themselves with the selection of bread that Duke Bakery offers! Overall, the bakery is wonderfully comfortable and somehow relaxing.

Duke Bakery has outlets in Rowland Heights, Arcadia, and more locations are rumored to open up in Irvine and downtown LA. Duke Bakery is simply another great way for you to experience Asian food culture – right in your own backyard! Definitely check out this gem sometime soon!