Roti News
Cult-favorite PappaRoti sweet buns from Malaysia make Texas debut in Frisco
Don't be deceived by the unassuming appearance of Papparoti's roti buns.
An international restaurant chain noted for its glazed "coffee buns" is making its Texas debut: Called PappaRoti, it's a cafe, bakery, and coffee shop founded in Malaysia, and it's opening its first two Texas locations in the DFW area.
The first location is Frisco at 9188 Prestmont Pl. #100; it opens on October 12.
The second location in Lewisville at 729 Hebron Pkwy. #240; it'll open by the end of October.
PappaRoti was founded in Malaysia where the first store debuted in 2003, spotlighting their pastry invention called roti buns, AKA coffee buns — a yeast-based sweet bread that gets glazed with a coffee-and-caramel icing and is then baked, resulting in a crunchy shell with a rich, salted-buttery center.
Tan and pale, the buns look unassuming — but the contrast in textures and interplay between sweet and salty create a one-of-a-kind treat that has made them a cult item at every one of their 450 locations worldwide.
The concept first came to the U.S. in 2019, debuting in the Chicago area, where there are currently three locations. Bringing them to Texas is franchisee Shoaib Mohammed, who discovered PappaRoti in Chicago and decided to expand the concept to Texas.
“The first time I had it, it really clicked in my mind that this was a different concept, and saw that there was nothing like it here," he says.
Making the buns is a painstaking process that entails kneading, thawing, proofing, and other secrets Mohammed won't share.
"If one part of the process doesn’t go perfectly, it will go flat," he says.
In addition to the signature traditional bun, the menu has nine flavors and over-the-top customizations, such as:
- Oreo Bun. A roti bun is accompanied by Oreo cookies, a waffle bowl with vanilla ice cream, Oreo crumbs, and dark chocolate sauce
- Nuts for Nutella. A roti bun is drizzled with Nutella, whipped cream, sprinkled with chopped hazelnuts, and sliced banana
- Ferrero Rocher Bun. A bun is topped with chopped pieces of Ferrero Rocher toffee and accompanied by a waffle bowl filled with vanilla ice cream, chopped hazelnuts, and dark chocolate sauce
The buns are best served with the chain's signature Karak tea, a rich and creamy chai made with evaporated milk, cardamom, saffron, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
Other beverages include matcha tea, Pappauccinos (the PappaRoti version of Frappucinos), smoothies, milkshakes, and fruit juices.
Mohammed says they'll open softly with limited hours at first, from 3-10 pm, then extend their hours to 10 am to 10 pm.
