Kee Wah Bakery, a chain store that started in Hong Kong in 1938, set up a shop about a month ago at the mini-plaza at De Anza Boulevard and Pacifica that caters to Cupertino residents and De Anza College students alike.

For anybody who is unfamiliar with typical Asian bakeries, the first step into this establishment might surprise, if not confuse many. Instead of having products all behind the counters, which is what some may think of when walking into a typical bakery, Kee Wah features a central island that houses all of its fresh-baked goods in glass drawers, open to any inquisitive eye, and immediately available.

The standard procedure is to grab one of the many trays stacked at the end of the island, as well as a pair of tongs. Instead of telling the cashier behind the counter what you want, you take matters into your own hands and  select anything you wish. Additional trays are optional if you can’t fit everything you want onto one.

On the other side of the recently remodeled store are countertops and shelves filled with pre-wrapped goodies that you can just grab and take to the counter.

Large windows grant any patron a wide view of when and how the bakers make their pastries fresh, and several seating sections dot the place to provide a place to chat and eat.

Kee Wah’s specialty originally was their bridal cakes and mooncakes, a particular delicacy that is usually only eaten during the Moon Festival. As time went on, their packaging became more and more sophisticated, and they eventually began to incorporate other common items in a bakery, such as bread and cakes.

Reasonably low-priced and absolutely delectable, Kee Wah’s repertoire does not disappoint, and the store is true to modern Asian bakery standards. Kee Wah has stood the test of time, by going above and beyond.