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CHINATOWN TAI PAN BAKERY

Updated

Phone: (212) 732-2222

Address: 194 CANAL STREET 10013

TLDR

Chinatown bakery w/ fluffy pork buns, crackly pineapple buns & classic egg tarts. A must-visit for authentic Cantonese pastries.

Reddit Sentiment for CHINATOWN TAI PAN BAKERY(based on 28 Reddit opinions)

46% Positive46% Neutral4% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

chinese 19cantonese 4bakery 3pastries 6bakery 5baked goods 3View All

Neighborhoods

Little Italy

Instagram Posts References

Tai Pan Bakery offers Macau-style egg tarts with a buttery, crumbly, almost biscuit-like crust and a super smooth, silky, less dense egg custard filling. The custard is described as egg-forward and not too sweet.

Tai Pan Bakery is highlighted as a classic spot for egg tarts, priced at $2.75. The reviewer appreciated the satisfying layered crust, though still found it very thick, and complimented the great taste of the filling.

Other Article Mentions

Lists, round-ups, and guides where this restaurant is featured.

Mentioned In
NYC’s Essential Bites: A Time Capsule of Dishes to Eat Before You Die
positive

This Chinatown bakery is praised for its $3 pineapple pork buns with a crackly crust and fatty char siu filling, making the wait worthwhile.

Bryan KimDate unknown
Read More →
Infatuation

Details

Tai Pan Bakery is a well-regarded Chinatown establishment known for its diverse range of Cantonese baked goods. Customers frequently praise items like the pork buns, noting their superior size and texture compared to others [1]. The bakery also receives recommendations for its egg tarts and pineapple buns, with some users recalling nostalgic favorites like the Tri Color Checkered Cake [3]. While generally well-received, some skepticism exists regarding the freshness of pre-packaged items, though long-standing operation suggests authenticity [2].

Food Overview

Tai Pan Bakery is celebrated for its authentic Cantonese baked goods. Popular items include the generously sized, fluffy, and less greasy pork buns [1], as well as highly recommended egg tarts and pineapple buns [2], [3]. Nostalgic favorites like the 'Tri Color Checkered Cake' and Napoleon cake are also mentioned fondly [3]. Some skepticism exists regarding the freshness of pre-packaged items, though the bakery's long history suggests traditional offerings [2].

Highlights / Recommended

"Customers frequently recommend the pork buns for their superior size and fluffiness, as well as the egg tarts and pineapple buns. Nostalgic treats like the Tri Color Checkered Cake are also highlighted."

Customer Sentiment

Customers largely praise the bakery's authentic Cantonese baked goods, particularly highlighting the pork buns for their size and texture, and egg tarts for their quality [1], [2]. However, a minority of opinions express doubt about the freshness of some items.

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About CHINATOWN TAI PAN BAKERY

This user praises the pork bun from Taipan Bakery, noting it's larger, fluffier, and less greasy than other options. Despite crowds, the line moves quickly.
A user fondly recalls the 'Tri Color Checkered Cake' from Tai Pan Bakery as a childhood comfort food and also mentions the Napoleon cake their mother enjoyed.
Tai Pan is mentioned as a good place to get egg tarts, noted as still being very good.
Several users recommend Tai Pan Bakery for pineapple buns, with one user specifically suggesting it as a place to find plain versions.
One user suggests Tai Pan has the largest selection of Cantonese bakery items in Chinatown and recommends asking staff for suggestions, while another user expresses skepticism about the freshness of their products.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: West Coast Friends First Birthday In The City

"The author does not highly recommend Taipan's cakes but notes it may offer the desired nostalgia for old-school Chinese bakery cakes."

Neutral
Jun 1, 2026View Comment →

From post: West Coast Friends First Birthday In The City

"The author believes Taipan bakery likely has the described mango cake and finds their cakes comparable to Fay Da's."

Neutral
Jun 1, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where To Get The Best Asian Cake Not Too Sweet In

"Tai Pan was listed among several other Asian bakeries."

Neutral
May 12, 2026View Comment →

From post: Black Sesame Anything

"Tai Pan is a Chinese bakery that sells black sesame buns."

Positive
Apr 22, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where Is The Best Sesame Ball In Manhattanbrooklyn

"Taipan bakery is listed as a place that serves sesame balls."

Neutral
Apr 21, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where Can I Get Hong Kong Coconut Tarts

"The user suggests Tai Pan as a good option for Hong Kong coconut tarts, noting that many Chinese bakeries carry them."

Positive
Mar 9, 2026View Comment →

From post: Pineapple Buns In Nyc

"Tai Pan is mentioned as a place for pineapple buns."

Positive
Mar 7, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where Do You Go For The Comfort Foods You Grew Up

"The commenter fondly recalls the 'Tri Color Checkered Cake' from Tai Pan Bakery in Chinatown, a childhood comfort food. They also mention the Napoleon cake, which their mother enjoyed."

Positive
Mar 6, 2026View Comment →

From post: Pineapple Buns In Nyc

"This user suggests Tai Pan Bakery as a place to find plain pineapple buns easily."

Positive
Mar 5, 2026View Comment →

From post: Pineapple Buns In Nyc

"Tai Pan is listed as a recommended bakery for pineapple buns."

Positive
Mar 4, 2026View Comment →

From post: Blt From Fay Da Dont Sleep On The Chinese

"This user recommends Taipan for their hot fried fish or chicken sandwich, in addition to praising Fay Da Bakery."

Positive
Feb 10, 2026View Comment →

From post: Chinatown Food Crawl With Teen

"Tai Pan Bakery is among several bakeries recommended for egg tarts and pork buns."

Positive
Jan 12, 2026View Comment →

From post: Are There Any Bakeries In Any Chinatowns That

"In response to a user's doubt, this user confirmed that Taipan likely bakes on-site, mentioning the original location has been operating for 35 years and the Chinatown location for 20 years."

Neutral
Jan 3, 2026View Comment →

From post: Are There Any Bakeries In Any Chinatowns That

"This user expressed skepticism about Taipan, perceiving it as a 'bakery' that sells pre-made, pre-packaged items rather than a traditional bakery with fresh dough. They believe such establishments are becoming extinct."

Negative
Jan 3, 2026View Comment →

From post: Are There Any Bakeries In Any Chinatowns That

"This user suggests Taipan as an option if one doesn't want to leave the city, stating it likely has the largest selection of Cantonese bakery items in Chinatown. They also advised asking a worker for recommendations on specific items."

Neutral
Jan 3, 2026View Comment →

From post: Nyc Restaurants I Miss

"This user lists Mooncake as a missed restaurant."

Neutral
Oct 26, 2025View Comment →

From post: Nyc Foodies Need Your Recs For A Quick Food

"Tai Pan Bakery was recommended in Chinatown."

Neutral
Sep 26, 2025View Comment →

From post: Looking For A Quality Bakery In Or Near Fidi For

"This user suggested the cheesecake from Tai Pan Bakery as an option close to FiDi."

Positive
Sep 17, 2025View Comment →

From post: Baked Char Siu Baobbq Pork Bun

"This commenter simply suggests Taipan Bakery."

Neutral
Sep 16, 2025View Comment →

From post: Best Pineapple Buns

"This establishment was listed as a recommendation for pineapple buns in the Flushing area."

Neutral
Sep 13, 2025View Comment →