Absolutely 😆 I’d keep your honest, slightly dramatic tone because the “Jinjja!” and the build-up to the disappointment make the review entertaining. I’ll expand it so it reads like a proper Google review while keeping your voice.
⭐ Shio Pan Review
No comment on the service or atmosphere as I ordered takeaway and only went down to collect my order.
I fell in love with shio pan after trying it at Buttertown along South Bridge Road, so when this place was recommended to me, I was more than happy to give it a try. In fact, I was so confident that I didn’t even bother reading the reviews beforehand. I went ahead and ordered six pieces — the Signature Trio and the plain shio pan.
Collection was smooth and fuss-free, so everything started off well. I was genuinely excited to get home and taste them. I was that excited that I even took a video, already prepared to do a nice little unboxing and post it. 😂
I popped the shio pan into the air fryer to toast it before eating. But the moment I tore one open, I already had a feeling about where this was going.
And unfortunately, after tasting it… it was nowhere near the shio pan from Buttertown.
The outside wasn’t as crispy and flaky, while the inside wasn’t as soft, airy and buttery. For me, that contrast between the crisp exterior and soft interior is what makes a really good shio pan addictive. This one just didn’t deliver the same experience.
What made it more disappointing was the price. The plain shio pan costs $1 more, yet the quality, at least compared with what I had previously tasted at Buttertown, felt quite far off. I was expecting something special, especially after being recommended this place.
Then came the truffle shio pan.
Omg. 😭
$6.90 for this? Jinjja?!
I honestly couldn’t understand the price-to-quality ratio. The truffle flavour didn’t give me the kind of “wow” moment I was expecting at that price point. Maybe my expectations were simply too high after having such a good shio pan elsewhere, but when you’re paying a premium, you naturally expect the product to justify it.
And the funniest part? I still had two more plain ones, one chocolate and one mentaiko sitting there waiting for me. 😂
I really wanted to like these because I genuinely love shio pan, and I was hoping I had just picked the wrong flavours. But after the first few, I was already lowering my expectations for the remaining pieces.
Perhaps it’s simply a matter of personal preference, and others may enjoy this version. But having tasted Buttertown’s shio pan first, that has unfortunately become my benchmark — and this one just didn’t come close for me.
Verdict: I went in excited, armed with six shio pans and a video ready for an unboxing post. I came out questioning my purchase instead. 😅
If you’re a shio pan lover, I’d say manage your expectations, especially if you’re comparing it with Buttertown. For me, the crispiness, softness and overall value just weren’t there.
The price is pricer than