When I was younger, my parents would often drop me off at my grandparents' place in Chinatown. Each morning, we would sleep through the car ride there and arrive at their apartment still half asleep. My childhood was defined by the streets of Chinatown, the aroma of food and small shops full of trinkets. Chinese bakeries populated each corner, a popular place for breakfast or coffee for busy workers. My favorite bakery purchase was 菠蘿包 (Bolo Bao), or pineapple buns. These pineapple buns were what I defined as a good breakfast, snack, or even dessert. Pineapple buns are custard filled buns, with a sugar cookie-like top exterior that resembles the pattern of pineapples. Despite its name, there are no pineapples in the bun itself.
I choose pineapple buns to define me best as it is a mark of my culture, but a nod to my personality or how I would like to be perceived. Pineapple buns are crunchy, yet sweet due to the topping and the custard filling. The bread itself is soft and balances out the overwhelming sugary taste. I like pineapple buns for their complexity, the multiple layers of different toppings, fillings, and breads. It reflects the same complexity within myself, the multi-layered personality that I hold too. The crunchy sugar cookie exterior is how I tend to present myself. The pattern of this exterior has significance and is symbolic of another object. As I navigate life myself, there are complications and my physical appearance is surface-level. It may reflect certain things about myself, but there is more to me than just my appearance. The sweet custard in the bun, what I would argue is the best part, is symbolic of my personality. At the core, I hope to hold kindness and empathy for others. Pineapple buns are still my favorite snack, and I hope to continue to reminisce on memories, but also hopes for my future while eating them.
