What is inside
What is inside Bun Maska?
Bun Maska is a soft bun slathered with butter and sweetened cream, made for dunking in chai. Here is what is inside it, layer by layer, and why each one is there.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 2 min read
Layers
5 in all
Key ingredient
Butter
Heat
None
Served
Soft, with hot chai
The 5 layers of Bun Maska
Bun Maska is built from 5 parts. They are listed in the order you meet them, and the numbers match the diagram.
The soft bun
A small, round, slightly sweet bread roll with a thin crust and a fluffy, almost cakey inside.
The split
The bun is cut through the middle, leaving a hinge, so the butter can be spread deep inside.
The maska
Maska means butter. A thick layer of cold butter is pressed into the bun and left to soften slowly.
The sweet cream
Some versions add a spread of sweetened cream or a dusting of sugar for richness.
The chai
Not part of the bun, but part of the dish: it is dunked into hot, milky tea so the butter melts into it.
01
What it is made of
Bun maska has almost nothing in it, and that is the point. A good bun, good butter and hot chai are all that is needed, so quality is everything.
- Soft bread bun
- Butter
- Sugar
- Cream (in some versions)
02
How the layers work together
Soft, lightly sweet and very buttery. Dunked in chai, the crumb soaks up the tea while the butter melts, and the result is rich, warm and slightly sweet. It is simple comfort food.
03
Where it comes from
Bun maska is tied to the Irani cafes of Mumbai and Pune, started by Iranian immigrants, with their marble tables and bentwood chairs. Locals have long gone there for a strong tea and a buttered bun.
04
Variations and other names
You may see these versions:
- Bun maska with jam: a spread of fruit jam under the butter.
- Cream bun: filled with sweet cream instead.
- Bun maska with chai: the classic pairing.
- Brun maska: a harder, crusty roll called a brun, served the same way.
05
How to eat it
Tear a piece, dunk it in hot chai for a moment, and eat it while the butter is still melting. You can also eat it plain with a drink on the side.
06
Bun Maska at Tapri Chai
Bun Maska is $3.49 CAD on our menu. We make it in a 100% vegetarian kitchen at 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Barrhaven, Ottawa, open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm, closed Mondays.
Questions, answered.
What is Bun Maska made of?
Bun Maska is made of soft bread bun, butter, sugar and cream (in some versions).
How many layers does Bun Maska have?
Traditionally 5: the soft bun, the split, the maska, the sweet cream and the chai.
Is Bun Maska vegetarian?
Yes. The traditional recipe is vegetarian, and every dish at Tapri Chai is vegetarian.
Is Bun Maska spicy?
There is no spice. It is a sweet, buttery snack.
Where can I try Bun Maska in Ottawa?
At Tapri Chai, 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Barrhaven, Ottawa. Bun Maska is $3.49 CAD on our menu.
At Tapri Chai
Taste it for yourself.
Our kitchen in Barrhaven is 100% vegetarian. 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Ottawa. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.