Doughkyo World Square

Doughkyo World Square is a bakery in Sydney's World Square, down on the basement level near Coles, that blends Asian and European baking in one counter. Locals tend to describe the style the same way: soft, fluffy breads and pastries that don't lean too hard on the sugar. That fits what the bakery says about its signature dough, which uses a special grape yeast to get a light, bouncy texture with less sugar and oil.

The range is wide, and people say there's plenty to work through. Salt bread and shio pan get a lot of love, and one local reckons the truffle butter alongside is even better than the bread. The taro mochi bread and mochi ring come up often, as do the Earl Grey bun, the cinnamon roll and the strawberry danish, which one regular singled out for its crisp, buttery layers. Cheesecake has its fans too, and there's a spam onigiri for something savoury. Matcha gets a mention as well, though one visitor found the flavour a bit mild, so we'd call that the one to approach with modest expectations.

Cakes are a real part of the appeal. People like how they look and how they taste, soft and fresh rather than sickly sweet, and custom cakes are something this bakery is known for. One local popped in looking for a last-minute birthday cake and came away happy, helped along by a staff member who flagged that a fresh batch of mango chiffon cakes was just being finished in the kitchen.

The staff are a consistent talking point, with plenty of folks calling them friendly and helpful, and the shop itself is described as warm, clean and inviting. It can get busy with a queue at the cashier, so give yourself a little time at peak periods. Prices are considered reasonable for the quality, which people tend to rate as good value.

You can dine in or take away, the entrance is wheelchair-accessible, and they take cards and mobile payments. They keep long hours across the week, but check before you head in if you're after a particular cake.