Meet Cantoast: Hong Kong Style French Toast

At Victoria Park Market each weekend, Cantoast keeps things simple: thick-cut milk bread, dipped and fried, topped with butter, golden syrup and condensed milk. It looks classic because that is the point. The founder wants the toast to feel familiar to people from Hong Kong and easy to try for first-timers. (updated: Cantoast is no longer at Victoria Park, new Cantoast Bakery is at Marble Arch)

The key is the bread. They bake their own Shokupan (milk bread) so they can control thickness, crumb and sweetness. Shokupan stays soft and fluffy even after frying, so the toast is airy in the middle and crisp at the edges. That texture is what they care about most.

They also like to play with flavour. In Hong Kong, French toast is often plain with butter, condensed milk or peanut butter. Cantoast keeps those markers, then adds new ideas like a mango sago flavour, so the menu has both comfort and something fresh.

A savoury option is on the way, made with another Asian brand, and they promise it will be spicy. Ingredients are sourced from the same trusted suppliers, with matcha imported directly from Japan and other items purchased from local Asian wholesalers. As they grow, they plan to stick with what already works.

What means the most is the ESEA community. When someone from Hong Kong tries the toast, speaks Cantonese and says it tastes right, it makes the long prep worth it. For people new to Hong Kong flavours, the team takes the time to explain what Hong Kong toast is and what salted egg or pandan tastes like. It is part of the sharing cha chaan teng 茶餐廳 culture.

There are collaborations, too. They have teamed up with Filipino-owned Araw Ice Cream, helped raise funds for the ESEA Community Centre, and are working with an Asian brand on the new savoury toast. A dream future collab would be with Hong Kong brand Hoko.

If you want a first order, try the classic salted egg with butter (it's so good!!), then come back for the specials!

🎥 Check the featured video below

Visit

Cantoast Bakery

📍21-23 Nutford Pl, W1H 5YH

Wednesday - Friday, 8am - 5pm

Saturday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm

Follow @cantoastbakery and @haydoncantoast for their new store updates

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