Said to be the largest food franchise from Japan, Beard Papa’s has been rolling out their tasty cream puffs in Japan since 1999. At present they can be found in 18 countries (with a total of 350 stores) while they are said to be the first Japanese food franchise in Sri Lanka. 

Beard Papa’s is in Sri Lanka thanks to Rizmy Shariff, Chairman, Fuji Foods while we also met Akira Okura, Director, International Development, Muginoho International who was on an site visit in Colombo. Okura explained that since the soft opening of Beard Papa’s at Urban Kitchen on December 19, 2015 they have had a good response. “What we give is a unique product and it is of the same quality world over.” Okura added. 

The dough (or choux pastry) used to make the shell of the cream puff is usually made in Japan but what we get here in Sri Lanka is imported from Singapore and then baked as the day progresses at the outlet, while the cold cream that the pastry is stuffed with is made fresh everyday. 

Taste and value for money – 4 stars 

The taste aside it is the theatrics of the whole affair that gets your senses all excited. The freshly baked cream puffs are taken out of the oven with the pastry chef making an announcement of the fact. 

They are then laid out in baskets on the counter where you can pick the preferred size – normal or mini. The pastry shells are then filled with cold cream right in front of you, dusted with icing sugar or cocoa powder, popped into a pastry pouch and given to you. And then you indulge! 

The smell of the pastries as they come out of the oven are the real selling point of these babies which are currently available in Chocolate (Rs 240) and Vanilla (Rs 220) while there is also the option of the Mini Chocolate or Vanilla puff (Rs 100 each). Biting into one the crisp outer layer and the spongy inside will with fresh cold cream, is definitely a lovely combination on your palate while they are best enjoyed then and there! 

The outlets worldwide have various fillings while the Urban Kitchen outlet will be rotating flavours in time to come with the first possible new flavour being Green Tea. 

Your cream puffs can be accommodated with a Latte (Rs 300) or Milkshake (Rs 350) and you can choose between chocolate, vanilla or strawberry. They also have a range of teas both warm and iced as well as cold coffees. 

Friendly staff – 5 stars 

The staff are extremely friendly. 

Parking – 5 stars 

There is plenty of parking. 

Hours of operation : 10.30am – 10.30pm (Monday to Sunday) 
Address : Urban Kitchen, Arpico Super Centre, Union Place, Colombo 02 
Tel : 077-772-9922 
Facebook : www.facebook.com/BeardPapasSriLanka 

By Natasha Fernandopulle
Video and photographs by Kanishke Ganewatte