Chinatown is famous for colorful streets and delicious food, offering affordable options that keep locals afloat in one of the most expensive cities in the world. As a New Yorker who takes desserts in Chinatown seriously, I’ve made it my mission to find the very best. But no visit to Chinatown would be complete without trying some tempting desserts. From irresistible cream puffs to fluffy cheesecakes, this list of the best Chinatown desserts will cover the spots you can’t afford to miss.
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Best Desserts in Chinatown, NYC
Table of Contents. Chinatown Dessert Spots
Table of Contents. Desserts in Chinatown, New York City
- Best Desserts in Chinatown, NYC
- Ice Cream from Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
- Bingsoo from Sweet Moment
- Cream Puffs from Alimama
- Portuguese Egg Tarts from Harpers Bread House
- Sponge Cakes from Spongies Cafe
- Fish Cone from Taiyaki NYC
- Michaeli Bakery
- Mango Mille Crepe Cake from Mango Mango
- Coconut Cream Buns from Taipan Bakery
- Cheesecake from Keki Modern Cakes
- List of the Best Chinatown Desserts
- New York City’s Chinatown Desserts (Helpful Map)
Ice Cream from Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
Website. Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
Address. 65 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013
Payment.Cash and Venmo only
The Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is a family-owned ice cream shop that’s been serving locals since 1978 (more than 40 years!). Known for a unique offering of ice cream flavors, adventurous palates can indulge in flavors like black sesame, match, lychee, and durian. This definitely one of the best desserts in Chinatown for ice cream enthusiasts. Take Note. Chinatown Ice Cream Factory accepts cash and Venmo (no credit cards).
Cream Puffs from Alimama
Website. Alimama
Address. 89A Bayard St, New York, NY 10013
Payment. Card, cash, and tap-to-pay
Alimama became a viral sensation because of their extravagant over-the-top iced drinks and cream puffs. Thankfully, this grab-and-go cafe lives up to the hype.
The demand for signature treats such as cream puffs and mochi donuts often leads to long lines, but the self-service kiosks make ordering a breeze. Don’t sleep on the black milk tea cream puffs. really goodly airy, these treats are undoubtedly among the best desserts Chinatown offers.
Portuguese Egg Tarts from Harpers Bread House
Address. 271 Grand St, New York, NY 10002
Payment.Cash-only
Looking to satisfy your sweet tooth without breaking the bank? Head to Harpers Bread House for. With treats ranging from $2 to $5, you can’t go wrong.
Funny enough, the bakery’s specialty lies in onigiri (Japanese rice balls) and Portuguese egg tarts, but it works! If you haven’t had Portuguese egg tarts before, I highly recommend!The flaky pastry is filled with a creamy custard that’s baked to perfection before being topped with a dash of cinnamon. So good!
Sponge Cakes from Spongies Cafe
Instagram. Spongies Cafe
Address. 121 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013
Payment.Card (minimum $5 spend), cash, and tap-to-pay accepted
Ferdnando Ponce has been churning out Hong Kong-styled sponge cakes since 1992 and doesn’t show signs of slowing any time soon. Ponce opened his shop in 2020 and now sells up to 1,500 sponge cakes a day! True to form, these cakes are light, airy, and downright delicious. Oh, and they’re a mere $2 a pop. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more satisfying selection of desserts in Chinatown at this price.
NYC’s dessert scene is proof that this city takes its sweet tooth very seriously.
Local tip. Between you and me, the seasonal menu is always better than the regular one. Ask what’s fresh today.
Fish Cone from Taiyaki NYC
Website. Taiyaki
Address. 119 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013
Payment.Card, cash, and tap-to-pay accepted
Taiyaki is famous for their unique fish-shaped pastry filled with delicious flavors like red bean paste and custard. A perfect blend of crispy exterior. Taiyaki also ranks among the top dessert spots in NYC for kids, who can resist a fish shaped treat?!
Michaeli Bakery
Website. Michaeli Bakery
Address. 115A Division St, New York, NY 10002
Payment.Card, cash, and tap-to-pay accepted
The former head chef of Breads Bakery (an award-winning NYC bakery), opened Michaeli Bakery in 2019. He sells traditional Israeli baked goods like challah, burekas, rugelach, along with bakery classics like croissants.
Vegan and gluten-free options are also available, like a popular vegan babka. While all of those options are great, some of the best desserts in Chinatown are the donuts churned out of this bakery. Known as sufganiyah, the Israeli donuts have a cult-like following for a reason.
Flavors chance often enough to keep things exciting. If they’re not sold out, I highly recommend ordering the strawberry-filled sufganiyah, the tartness of the jam is lovely with the lightness of the dough.
Unpopular opinion. I’ll say it. Ice Cream from Chinatown Ice Cream Factory makes a dessert worth crossing boroughs for.
Mango Mille Crepe Cake from Mango Mango
Website. Mango Mango
Address. 63 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013
Payment.Card, cash, and tap-to-pay accepted
Mango Mango specializes in fresh mango desserts like ice cream, pastries and a layered crepe cake. The menu is extensive, offering a variety of irresistible options. Originally from Hong Kong, the company landed in New York City in 2013. Their signature mango Mille crepe cake is a highlight, featuring layers of delicate crepes and creamy mango filling, perfectly balancing tanginess and sweetness. Consider it a must-try dessert in Chinatown.
Coconut Cream Buns from Taipan Bakery
Website. Taipan Bakery
Address. 194 Canal St, New York, NY 10013
Payment.Cash-only
Taipan Bakery is a well-known bakery, popular for offering a delicious array of Asian pastries and baked goods. With roots tracing back to Hong Kong, Taipan Bakery has garnered a reputation for high-quality treats.
From traditional Chinese buns to modern desserts, their menu includes favorites like pineapple buns, egg tarts, and BBQ pork buns. Among their standout desserts are the coconut cream buns and egg tarts. The cream buns boast soft bread and a fluffy cream filling, creating an airy delight that’s a must-try in Chinatown’s dessert scene.
List of the Best Chinatown Desserts
- Cream Puffs from Alimama
- Ice Cream from Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
- Shaved Ice from Sweet Moment
- Portuguese Egg Tarts from Harper’s Bread
- Sponge Cakes from Spongies Cafe
- Fish Cone from Taiyaki NYC
- Sufganiyah from Micheli Bakery
- Mango Crepe Cake from Mango Mango
- Coconut Cream Buns from Taipan Bakery
- Cheesecake from Keki Modern Cakes
While You’re in the Area
Fun Things to Do in Chinatown. 15 Exciting Chinatown Activities
Where to Grab Brunch in SoHo. 15 Satisfying Brunch Places in SoHo (Worth the Wait)
Best Happy Hour in SoHo. 12 Satisfying Happy Hour Spots in SoHo
Coffee Shops in SoHo. 15 Satisfying SoHo Coffee Shops (Locals Can’t Live Without!)
Trust me when I say the portions are generous here. I always end up taking something home, and honestly, the leftovers are almost as good the next day.
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Iconic Restaurants in NYC. 10 Iconic New York City Restaurants Every Local Needs to Try
Mouthwatering Bagels in NYC. 15 BEST Bagels in New York City
Unbelievable Brunch Spots in NYC. 18 Prime Brunch Spots in New York City Worth the (Inevitable) Wait
What to Know Before You Go
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
New York City’s Chinatown Desserts (Helpful Map)
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“},{“id”:”05adf769-d5a8-4501-82dc-46a4d87b4c5e”,”jsonQuestion”:”How were these Desserts spots chosen?”,”question”:”How were these Desserts spots chosen?”,”jsonAnswer”:”Every spot on this list was personally visited and reviewed by our team of NYC locals. “,”answer”:””}]} –>Based on our experience as NYC locals, Ice Cream from Chinatown Ice Cream Factory tops our list for Desserts in Chinatown, NYC. See our full ranked list above for all 10 recommendations.
Every spot on this list was personally visited and reviewed by our team of NYC locals. We evaluate based on quality, atmosphere, and value.
And there you have it, our list of the best desserts in Chinatown, NYC. Cheers!
If you liked this, you’ll love my 10 Tantalizing New York City Cookies (Local’s Guide). it’s a fan favorite.
That’s My List
NYC has so many great options for 10 Irresistible Desserts in Chinatown, NYC (Foodie Guide) that narrowing it down was genuinely hard.
I want to hear from you. Which dessert spot is your guilty pleasure? No judgment here. drop it in the comments.
What would you add to this list?
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