Kwan Kee Store: Michelin-approved Hong Kong desserts with signature white sugar sponge cake & musang king mochi rolls

This might just be the most challenging tasting session I’ve ever embarked on. But before diving into that, let’s take a moment to get acquainted with Kwan Kee Store. With branches in both Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru, this Michelin-approved Hong Kong dessert spot has built a solid name for itself.

Curious to see what the buzz was all about, I made my way to their newest outlet at AEON Maluri for a taste-test adventure.

Now, back to my little struggle. Not once, but twice, I found myself returning to the shop just to sample their much-talked-about offerings. And yet, on both occasions, the highly-raved Seafood Radish Cake was nowhere to be found — sold out before I could even blink. 

The tiny space was buzzing with eager customers, and the pressure to order quickly was real, especially with impatient murmurs from the queue behind me. To make matters more bittersweet, the outlet had a noticeably limited selection. No lava toasts either. Bummer.

What I tried at Kwan Kee Store

Regardless of the earlier setbacks, I was determined to sample a few of Kwan Kee’s classic signatures — along with a couple of intriguing picks that caught my eye. I ended up with the White Sugar Sponge Cake (RM4.90) and Steamed Red Bean Cake (RM6.90) from their signature lineup, plus 2 other selections: the Mango Sago Pomelo Sticky Rice (RM6.90) and the Musang King Sticky Rice (RM7.90).

The White Sugar Sponge Cake was as honest and unpretentious as it gets — made with nothing more than white sugar, rice flour, eggs, and water. Its soft, airy texture, pockmarked with delicate air holes, reminded me a lot of Kek Gula Hangus — minus the caramel hue and richer notes.

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One bite in, and I was instantly hit with the familiar tang of fermented glutinous rice flour. It brought back memories of traditional rice apam. It wasn’t overly sweet — a small triumph for Asian parents.

Then came the Steamed Red Bean Cake, a dense, rectangular slab generously packed with red beans. It tasted exactly how it looked — earthy and fudgy, but with a nice, chewy bite from the beans themselves. Again, the sweetness was subtle, which made the whole experience feel healthy and guilt-free.

Next up were the sticky rice rolls — essentially chewy mochi parcels made from glutinous rice flour dough. The Musang King version became my favourite right away. The pale green filling had a creamy consistency, resembling real durian pulp rather than a processed paste. The durian flavour came through really well, pairing wonderfully with the pillowy mochi wrap.

The Mango Sago Pomelo, however, left me… perplexed. It looked nothing like what I had expected. The filling resembled tamagoyaki — yes, the Japanese rolled omelette — and had a firmness to it. Thin strands in the yellow block gave the illusion of mango, but the taste was far from fruity.

Oddly enough, it reminded me of the White Sugar Sponge Cake with its fermented rice flour flavour. It wasn’t unpleasant, just not what I expected. Between the two, the durian version definitely stole the show.

Final thoughts

If you’re a fan of classic Hong Kong-style desserts, chances are you’ll find something to enjoy at Kwan Kee Store. Their offerings lean into classics, with a few modern touches here and there. As for me — well, I didn’t quite fall head over heels. While the experience was interesting, most of the desserts didn’t leave a lasting impression.

That said, the Musang King Sticky Rice Roll was the clear winner for me, thanks to its rich, full-bodied durian filling wrapped in delightfully chewy mochi.

Still, taste is subjective — what didn’t quite spark joy for me might just become your new favourite. Kwan Kee Store also offers testers, so you can always sample before buying! 

Expected damage: RM4.90 – RM7.90 per pax

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