If you have ever scoffed at the soft, sweet breads sold in Asian bakeries, consider the Chocolate Bowl at Mama Bakery.

Soft - check. Sweet - not very, thank goodness. Instead, this very large bun is studded with lots of dark chocolate chips.

What it all adds up to is a delicious treat for tea time. Pull off bits with your fingers and more often than not, you'll see a chunk of dark, almost melted chocolate embedded in the soft, fluffy bread.

It is one of the more popular offerings at this year-old cafe in the Square 2 mall, run by Osaka native Kaneko Hiroe, 69. Know that Mama makes only 100 Chocolate Bowls a day, and they usually sell out by 5pm.

If you get there too late for the chocolate bread, try the Cranberry Raisin Scones ($2 each). These are packed with the dried fruit and are delicious toasted and slathered with butter and lemon curd.

Also try the Poached Pear Cheese bun ($1.50), tender, juicy pear chunks in a bun with cream cheese.

Chocolate Bowl, $2.50 each, from Mama Bakery, 02-06/07 Square 2, 10 Sinaran Drive, tel: 6397-6789. Opening hours: 9am to 8.30pm daily.

This story was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Feb 28, 2008.