‘Sum’ of the Best Sweets in Town

The wonderful world of desserts takes many shapes, sizes, textures, colors and flavors. It is the diversity of these after-dinner delicacies that is appealing to so many people.

Not all desserts have to feature ice cream or cheesecake to be enjoyable, and Happy Days Chinese Restaurant knows this firsthand. Its desserts still fall on the “comfort food” side of the dessert spectrum, but each piece is just the right amount of sweet, paired with a hint of savory.

The Waialae Avenue establishment features Chinese-style dim sum sweets that are favorites among locals and tourists alike.

Baked Custard Buns ($3.10, three pieces) have a sweet custard filling encased by crisp, puffy bread.

The iconic yellow top is sweet, delicate and almost seems to melt in your mouth. Coupled with the custard filling, these buns deliver a satisfying after-dinner thrill.

Chinese Malasadas ($3.10, three pieces), or jin dui, also are on the menu, but they’re much larger than traditional versions. Happy Days’ jin dui dim sum is served with three large pieces, which are made with mochi flour, then filled with red bean or coconut.

Sesame seeds adorn the outside, adding an extra dose of flavor and texture to the dish.

“People eat this for good luck,” says owner Lisa Lum. “Usually for birthdays or New Year’s.”

But you can enjoy jin dui year-round at Happy Days, because we all know that having them once or twice a year just isn’t enough.

Another definite favorite is the Custard Tart ($3.10, three pieces). Each crust is perfectly flaky, and the custard is just the right kind of light and luscious.

Dim sum desserts are ideal for sharing family-style, but don’t hesitate to eat them all on your own if the urge arises. Plus, there are so many options to choose from.

With the holidays just around the corner, Happy Days also has ample seating in its private dining room to accommodate your needs if you’re looking for a place to host a party.

Happy Days Chinese Restaurant

3553 Waialae Ave.
738-8666
Daily, 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.