Boston’s Chinatown Gate, viewed looking into Chinatown, on a day with a clear blue sky and lots of people near the gate — The Chinatown Gate in Boston.

9 Great Bakeries in Boston’s Chinatown

Where to eat mooncakes, pineapple buns, egg tarts, and more

by Terrence Doyle and Adam H. Callaghan Updated Oct 19, 2022, 5:42pm EDT

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The Chinatown Gate in Boston.

| Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

by Terrence Doyle and Adam H. Callaghan Updated Oct 19, 2022, 5:42pm EDT

It’s no secret that Chinatown is home to some of the best food in Boston. From dumplings to noodles to hot pot, a diner could eat three meals a day for a month in Chinatown and not scratch the surface of what the neighborhood has to offer. And Chinatown’s offerings don’t end with dinner — the neighborhood is also home to some bakeries putting out excellent savory and sweet treats.

Here are 9 of the best.

Mei Sum Bakery

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This spot is very much no-frills (and as such, accepts cash only). The savory order at Mei Sum is the banh mi, which is served on house-baked bread; the sweet order at Mei Sum is the egg tart or the coconut cake.

36 Beach St, Boston, MA 02111

(617) 357-4050

A bright yellow egg tart sits on a white paper bag on a stone background — Egg tart from Mei Sum Bakery

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Where to Buy Mooncakes in Greater Boston

Egg Puff Lady

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The Egg Puff Lady (or Egg Puffs, as the kiosk is also sometimes called) has posted hours, but sometimes she’s not there during those posted hours. Maybe don’t make this the main reason for a Chinatown visit, but if she’s there, definitely get some of these egg puff waffles, which are fluffy and sweet and the perfect way to cap any food crawl through Chinatown. Note: The Egg Puff Lady accepts cash only, and she’s located inside the tiny food hall that also includes Avana Sushi and Hot Eastern.

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42 Beach St, Boston, MA 02111

A pink cart that serves egg puffs inside of a small food court. It’s decorated with a large photo of egg puffs. — Egg Puff Lady in the Avana food court

Ho Yuen Bakery

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Ho Yuen is small and cash only, and it’s packed year-round with, among other things, various mooncakes (a seasonal treat at many other places), which are typically made with a flaky outer pastry and filled with red bean or lotus seed paste. Don’t miss the curry beef buns, either.

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54 Beach St # 1, Boston, MA 02111

(617) 426-8320

A small red bean mooncake with a glossy pastry shell sits on a white paper bag on a wooden table — Small red bean mooncake from Ho Yuen Bakery

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Where to Buy Mooncakes in Greater Boston

Taiwan Bakery

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A Chinatown newcomer located adjacent to Ho Yuan in the former 101 Bakery space, Taiwan Bakery has already won plenty of hearts with its assorted savory items like pork buns as well as breads and pastries, including custard buns, sponge cake rolls, and egg tarts. The bakery also boasts one of the widest ranges of mooncakes in the neighborhood, from classic to colorful Cantonese-style mooncakes to durian snow skin mooncakes. Wash it all down with some milk tea.

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56 Beach St, Boston, MA 02111

(617) 451-9988

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Where to Buy Mooncakes in Greater Boston

Corner Cafe Bakery

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Open past the average dinner hour, Corner Cafe Bakery is a great stop day or night. Highlights include tender pineapple rolls, lychee mousse cakes, and a ton of lovely mooncakes, but the selection is vast and it’s worth dipping into the savory side as well. Just down the block, sibling Top Bread is worth a stop too.

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62 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111

(617) 338-1988

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Where to Buy Mooncakes in Greater Boston

Great Taste Bakery & Restaurant

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The barbecue pork pie and char siu bao stand out at the bakery half of Great Taste Bakery & Restaurant, whose restaurant side also serves worthwhile hot pot, dim sum, and lots more. For a sweet finish, grab an egg tart.

61-63 Beach St, Boston, MA 02111

(617) 426-6688

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A flaky, golden puff pastry sits on a white bag, with the word “Bag” and a fish visible in red. The bag sits on a green table. — Barbecue pork pie from Great Taste Bakery

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Hing Shing Pastry

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Hing Shing Pastry is steps from the iconic Chinatown gate, which is perfect for tourists who want to be particularly touristy in one of Boston’s most touristy locations. The bakery, however, is not a tourist trap: Try the almond cookies, and perhaps throw in a walnut cookie as well.

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67 Beach St, Boston, MA 02111

(617) 451-1162

Two large cookies — one with an almond in the center and one with a walnut — overlap on a white paper bag on a green table — Almond (left) and walnut cookies from Hing Shing

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Bao Bao Bakery & Cafe

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Bao Bao Bakery & Cafe is owned by the same folks behind the superb Double Chin (which is next door) and is serving one of the best pineapple buns in the city. Bao Bao’s gorgeous cakes are also an absolute must.

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84 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111

(617) 988-8191

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A big, round, yellow pineapple bun with a crackly top sits on a white paper bag — Pineapple bun from Bao Bao Bakery

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May's Cake House

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May’s Cake House is hidden in a basement a bit outside the main Chinatown drag, but it’s well worth the extra walk. Order the excellent mango mousse cake, and eat it on a park bench in the tiny Tai Tung Park a couple blocks away if both of May’s tables are already taken. If you’re after a savory treat, try a shrimp rice noodle roll — or, for a sweet-and-savory combo, the fried dough rice noodle roll (pictured).