Egg Tarts and Chinese bakeries

[blissful_hope]

Does anyone know where to get good egg tarts with the flakey crusts (not the ones with the cookie crust)? I've been trying to look for a good chinese bakery with good buns that is easily accessible by TTC. Thanks!

[brebreannaanna]

Miao Ke Hong Bakery at 345 Broadview Avenue has very good egg tarts with the flaky crusts. I think it is $0.70 per tart. They make them fresh every morning and the bakery is open at like 7:30 or 8:00am for customers to buy buns to bring to work or school. Also, if you spend over $5 (i think) you get any bun or egg tart for free.

Its located at Broadview and Gerrard, very accessible from the 504, 505, and the 506 streetcars.

[Chocaholic]

I heard from my mother that Kim Moon is no longer the original owner. They sold it 2 years ago. I gather that is when the new renovations occurred.

Does anyone know if this is true?

[jeannieh20]

I'm not sure of the owner, but the renos happened over two years ago - we've been going there since we moved DT over 3 yrs ago...

if there was a change in ownership, I couldn't tell as the food/bakery is still just as good

[pokerdan]

They changed the owner at least 3 years ago and the new renovation began to start.

[Orange]

I find the quality of Kim Moon has gone down since the reno. They are still relatively good in the neighbourhood (e.g. compared to Queen's next door), but not as good as before.

I had a great flaky egg tart experience last year from Tung Hing Bakery in "east" Chinatown (forgot whether they are on Dundas E or Broadview). My friend brought me a box fresh from the oven & they are heavenly. I don't find the same thing when I went to their Vaughan Mills location recently, so maybe I just need to figure out when the egg tarts come out from the oven.

[danthediner]

I was recently at Kim Moon on a Monday afternoon @ 4pm, and they were sold out of both Egg Tarts and BBQ Pork Buns! :(

So.... I went a couple doors down and tried Queen's Patisserie.
I don't know why they get such a terrible review on here.
I rather enjoyed their products, incl. their indicidually-wrapped BBQ Buns and I bought a whole cake -- the Strawberry Chiffon.

They had a special on -- pay cash, and get 40% off!
I rate they highly!!!

To each their own, I suppose...

[Brain of J]

I went to ABC Bakery yesterday for some egg tarts. Excellent! Bear in mind that I've only tried one other Chinese bakery (the one at East York Town Centre) and ABC's tarts were much better. It's all about the crust and the crust at ABC's was really nice and flaky. They also serve a lot of Chinese food dishes there too.

[jeannieh20]

Definately ABC bakery as others have posted but again not that easy to get to by TTC. But if you're in the downtown area, Kim Moon - they're on Dundas just east of Spadina on the north side. They're an institution, and since I live DT that's were I stick by.

When I was younger my family used to go to New World for dim sum and then head over to ABC afterwards for dessert then order another dozen to take home... haven't been there in years! If its still as good as I remember then it's a must to go there.

[sumashi]

Went on an egg tart run because of this thread and tried out Aromaz bakery and ABC bakery. I preferred ABC over Aromaz.... ABC's egg tart crust and filling were really good.

I remember going to New World for dim sum with my family as well when I was a little kid. I also remembered going to the side of New World, where there was a little take-out shop for squid and BBQ pork.... But when I went to drop by ABC bakery, I noticed that New World was GONE! Has it been gone for a while now??

[jeannieh20]

I'm not sure how long they've been gone. But I do remember our family stopped going there about 15 years ago when the management changed and then the service and food started going down hill. That place was there for a long time, close to 30 years... I remember my so called ki yea used to work there as one of the managers - always got us a table as soon as we got there and always had the freshest dim sum straight out of the kitchen and not from the carts! I even remembering them having this wicked water fountain/pond at the entry way with the coi! Ah memories...

I'm glad to hear that ABC is still as good as I remember - I should drag my husband up to North York sometime to get a batch... :)

[red dragon]

OMG! That small little bbq place! What fond memories as well! I think someone posted about that below, haven't been back to that area for quite some time.

[T Long]

Check out this link:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/551645

[sumashi]

Thanks T Long!
I really haven't been to New World in over 13 years... it'll be interesting to read any comments people might write to respond to your post...

[T Long]

I tried out Empire Oriental Cuisine tonight, which was previously the New World. I went with some Chinese speaking friends and was told the Chinese name still translates to "New World" and many of the dining room staff are still the same. The decor is similar to what I remember from more than 5 years ago....I also think that diners who use to patronized the New World will find it still pretty much the same.....decent Cantonese at a mid-range price point. We had their Peking Duck special (two courses for about $17.) which quite frankly I enjoyed as much as the Peking Duck at Casa Imperial a few months ago at a much higher price. We had 5 courses total and the bill came to $88 including tip. For those who remember New World fondly, its worth a return visit.

[red dragon]

I have fond memories of Kim Moon too! I recall my dad buying egg tarts by the box load to fly back for me (before I moved to T.O.). They had amazing egg tarts and other items.

I remember New World as well, used to be our regular dim sum place! So fondly that we held my mother's funeral lunch at that place, since it was her favorite.

[coconut lime]

Do you remember if ABC bakery has portuguese tart? i'm trying to find really good portuguese tart in Toronto, I have heard that there is a Taiwanese bakery at metro square at 3636 Steeles Avenue East is really good but I also don't know if they have portuguese tart.

[BokChoi]

Best Bakery (IMO) is a little bakery at the back of a strip mall at the north-east corner of Sheppard and Kennedy (don’t remember the name, but there is only one bakery in that strip mall that has a Thai/Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant with an elephant logo on it). I have been going there for years and it is my go-to place for my egg tart fix. They also prepare a large assortment of other traditional Chinese buns, and all of them are also prepared skilfully. The prices are reasonable (around the $1 mark), with the tiniest of a premium over some other bakeries. I believe if you buy 6 pieces, you save on the tax charge as well. Cash only. I will try to dig up a photo so that you can see what they look like and judge for yourself.

Accessible by bus only. Take subway to Kennedy and take bus North to Sheppard. Alternatively, take RT to STC and take Sheppard bus westbound to Kennedy. Strip mall on North East corner of Sheppard & Kennedy opposite the Walmart/Shoppers’ Drug mart.

Cheers and Happy Eating!

[Chocaholic]

How do t&t sell so many egg tarts? If people like us don't like it?

[BokChoi]

Because unfortunately, there are the masses... and I have learned that my tastes and the general public do not often coincide. Ever wonder why some of the worst restaurants in town are generally the fullest? I can never understand it...
Also, a lot of people enjoy the convenience - one stop shopping. Not often are people willing to drive half-way across town for a $1 egg tart. I am one of those strange creatures that will go near and far for food.

[red dragon]

Not so strange creature - we've been known to drive across the border for a real craving!! We too, will drive great distances for good food!!!

Again, T&T egg tarts are awful! I don't know if customers who buy them have tried others, or if they really care. Perhaps they're not as picky with their egg tarts??

[BokChoi]

To be honest, I have never ventured to try one of their egg tarts. I try to stay away from ‘multi-specialty’ shops. Generally, that means they don’t do anything well from my experience. T&T is great for groceries, and that’s about it. Everything is else is great just for convenience and price (ie dim sum, prepped foods, bakery).

Also, their egg tarts look pretty terrible. Who says you can't judge a book by its cover? So I trust you on your opinion, red_dragon.

I don’t think many people are picky about things they put in their mouths. There is a reason why Pizza Pizza is Ontario’s #1 Pizza (by sales volume). Then again, I have a friend that tried to convince me that the greatest pizza is prepared by Pizza Pizza. I have had a good laugh (at his expense) for a number of years since. Thus my common phrase – “to each, their own”

[tksh]

As bad as T&T's egg tarts are, I still get half a dozen 'po tat' (Portuguese style egg tart) from them time to time, simply because there's no other decent place that sells them in Markham and Richmond hill.

Queen's, being the franchise it is, is so wildly varying I just stick with the pineapple buns.

[BokChoi]

tksh, I take it you're reading this thread now... hopefully it can provide you with an alternative to T&T.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/550915

[tksh]

I saw that BokChoi but even North York is too 'south' for me, though admittedly not that far off from Warden & Steeles

[BokChoi]

ahhh then I'd suggest to start a new thread with your criteria and put the CHer's to work for you. They're a knowledgeable bunch and hopefully can point you in the right direction. Unfortunately, I have never really fancied those custards and cannot be of further assistance, otherwise, I would be most willing to point you in the right direction. Cheers and good luck.

[tjr]

T&T's bakery items are far from awful for the most part, though the egg tarts are not good. Many items, especially the more plain breads, are quite good.

[BokChoi]

tjr, I used to absolutely ravish their plain breads (some with taro filling, others just the sweet egg bread). That was, until I realized that they NEVER go mouldy. Made me start thinking... I think you may want to do an experiment like that as well. I think one of my loaves lasted almost a month before I was too grossed out and decided to toss it.

[tjr]

This happens with a lot of breads in Japan as well; I'm sure they put plenty of preservatives in them as people don't eat them as often, and if they went bad quickly, no one would ever buy bread.

I'm not speaking from my own opinion, as I cannot eat their bakery products (allergy concerns), but my wife (whose opinion I respect) enjoys them, as do a lot of other people whose opinions I also respect.

That is a bit scary though. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), I mostly bake my own breads. I haven't found very many bakeries where I can actually eat anything without risking death. Maybe I should start a new thread...

[BokChoi]

I guess I try to always stick to natural bread products and am more familiar with breads turning bad within a week. I get scared when they are fine after 3 weeks... Great tasting though - nice, fluffy and sweet. I enjoy the fillings such as taro, and coconut.

I used to bake my own breads as well - but I find I keep running out of time to get into the habit once again.
Hope your thread is helping you find a new bakery.

[BokChoi]

Another item to try is the bakery's buttercream filled bun. It looks like a hotdog bun, crusted with flaked,dried coconut. It's got buttercream piped in the middle instead of the dog. Best version I've tasted in T.O. Smooth like buttah...

[canadianbeaver]

Furama has good ones. One location in First Canadian Place, another at Spadina and Dundas.

[mmom]

Most definitely ABC Bakery as other posters have said -- on Victoria Park, north of McNicoll (at Tempo, in the same plaza as the HSBC bank). I think their flaky egg tarts are 85 cents each and are almost always fresh from the oven when I go.
I personally don't like T&T's egg tarts -- they are not as flaky and definitely not as fresh as the ones available at ABC.

[halugii]

right across from queen's patisserie is a place called 'chinese bakery' and all of its buns are 3 for $1 ..i don't know bout quality but i'm there all the time. their buns are smaller and lighter than all the other places (which i like), i guess because they're so cheeeap

[Chocaholic]

I just went to t&t today. The egg tart is soggy. And that ain't no Portuguese tart!! Hmmm at least I was happy about finding green curry paste at t&t.

I prefer the egg tarts from Kim Moom Bakery on Dundas! They too are freshly baked everyday!!!

[red dragon]

Have to agree - T&T's shell is very tough and chewy. I had them once, when they first opened and never bought from there again.

Best egg tarts (imo)) are from Aromaz Bakery in the plaza behind the Price Chopper and Shopper's Drug Mart (Huntingwood/Brimley) and accessible by TTC. Dragon Dynasty in the same plaza is our favorite place for dim sum and they are the same group (companies) as the Bakery.

[BokChoi]

Hi red_dragon. I am also a fan of Aromaz – you should try the bakery I recommended at Sheppard and Kennedy when you get the chance. They have amazing custards in their egg tarts. I personally enjoy them more than Aromaz, even though Aromaz has some very nicely prepared buns/cakes. I especially enjoyed their “year of the pig” Chinese New Year cake. Generated a lot of laughs at a party I brought it to.

Cheers and Happy Eating!

[red dragon]

Sheppard/Kennedy is close to me - I'll give it a try next time I'm in the mood for egg tarts.

They are a childhood favorite! My Dad used to buy a few dozen from Kim Moon in Chinatown and bring them back on the plane. When I moved to Toronto, I couldn't eat enough of them. Kim Moon must be an institution, although I haven't been there in years!

[BokChoi]

I used to live on Kim Moon too when I was much younger. I have not been there in YEARS though. I remember my family and I would go there to get their Cheung Funs and then nosh on those pink lotus paste-stuffed 'buns'. Ah..the memories.

[red dragon]

I made hubby drive me to that plaza today; the bakery is called Dynatang. The egg tarts did look delicious, but I was disappointed they were the type with a shortbread crust. They are oblong shaped right? I asked the woman at the counter if they came with the flaky crust and she said no. Did you take a picture of the "year of the pig? cake?

[BokChoi]

Really? They used to have both types of crust. The last time I was there was a couple of months ago - but they did have both. I know that their shortbread one is the more popular of the two - so perhaps they stopped carrying the other version. Sorry they were disappointing. Was the custard okay though? I am not a crust person - so I usually only eat the custard and toss most of the crust anyway.

The year of the pig cake was from Aromaz. I'll look for the photo.

[red dragon]

Perhaps they changed in the time since you've been there? I was hopeful they might have just run out of the flaky crust type, even peaking my head into the kitchen! The custard looked good, but all the egg tarts on the shelf and the freshly made ones on the counter had an overdone crust (very dark brown). Could have been just that batch ..

[BokChoi]

That is too bad - I usually enjoy them because I find their custard to be very underdone compared to other places, and thus silky in texture. Very moist. Sorry you made the drive out there and the batch was not very good.

[red dragon]

I agree, some places the custard is way overdone. No worries, us chowhounds must drive to find good eats and I have recommended many places that others found were awful, and vice versa. I'm sure it could have been just that particular batch that were over baked (the crust).

[BokChoi]

Red_dragon, after reading your comments I really had to see for myself as I was a bit worried of the recommendation if you did not find the same variety as I was accustomed to. When I got there, I took a look at the baked goods and immediately thought that something was wrong. They had changed the types of baked goods offered, and things looked 'off'. They did not look as good as I remembered. This feeling that they had changed hands was solidified when I saw the egg tarts - though they carried the flaky crust type, it did not look ANYTHING like what I was accustomed to! They were haphazard and burnt, just like you described. I was very worried, so bought one to try. They were indeed as awful as they looked.

Thank goodness you mentioned that it was different, or else this post would have sat here and perhaps misled other CHers - many apologies! I have to report that they have indeed changed hands and that their produce is nowhere near as good as they once were. Please disregard Dynatang as a recommendation for good Chinese bakeries and egg tarts.

Thanks once again, red_dragon, for pointing this out to me.

photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-...

Cheers and Happy Eating!

[BokChoi]

Hi red_dragon. I found the photo.
Here you go:
Year of the Pig Cake:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-...

[red dragon]

OMG! What a cute cake. I couldn't imagine it when you posted - thought it was something that resembled a huge moon cake for some reason? I must have moon cakes on my mind. Was this a regular fresh fruit cake? Do they make other animal cakes (like year of dragon, year of snake)? Thanks for the picture!

[BokChoi]

You are most welcome.

It was just a regular cake - no fruit. It had hazelnut filling, but I believe you could choose the flavour (whatever they usually have on hand in terms of filling) and had a fondant topping. I would suspect they would have a cake for each new year, but this was the first time I saw that they offered a New Year's animal cake. Though I may have just been unobservant all the other years...

Would make a great treat for the young 'nes.

Cheers!

[BokChoi]

Sorry, I meant chestnut flavouring. I believe they also have chocolate, and a couple of others (that may include Taro) - but you would have to check with them.

[baby_tran]

Best egg tarts are at ABC Bakery (as someone else mentioned) and Fragrant Bakery (at Midland and McNicoll, Evergreen Plaza). Fragrant also has a great "wife cookie"!

[T Long]

Just finished eating the egg tart from ABC Bakery....huge, fresh, and with the flaky crust....as requested by the OP (over 1.5 yrs ago). Relatively limited selection of other baked goods though.

[red dragon]

I haven't been there in about 12 years. Would you mind telling me if the place looks relatively clean?

[T Long]

Hi red dragon....it would not be near the top of any scale for cleanliness. It would be OK at Spadina/Dundas, but below average for Scarborough.... However, my sensitive stomach has had no resultant issues. Btw, the washroom was pretty mediocre (poor). (As you may know, ABC is a bakery/cafe.) Further btw, the place was getting busy at 1:30 on a Sunday. We (I) will likely have lunch here sometime.

[red dragon]

Thanks for your feedback T_Long. As you might have read, I have a sensitive stomach and not sure I would fair well ...LOL. I do recall buying from there many moons ago!

[Sweetcakestoo]

Thanks for the tip baby_tran. Egg Tarts are pretty good at ABC bakery...but did you check out their noodle and rice plates? They seem to offer pretty good value. I was focused on the egg tarts so I did not buy any lunch. Seem like a busy place.

[LTL]

Queen's Patisserie always has just-out-of-the-oven fresh and tasty egg tarts. $0.60/tart is a great deal too!

-----
Queen's Patisserie
442 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T, CA

[Wil]

Sorry, but Queen's egg tarts are horrible. I would definately recommend against it.

The bakery in Times Square (Leslie and Hwy 7) makes pretty good ones, but it's not TTC-able.

[KevinB]

Sure it is... go to Finch Subway, Viva Blue to Richmond Hill Centre, take the #1 (Hwy 7) East to Leslie. If it's not rush hour, the Viva Blue is very fast, as it only makes 5 or 6 stops between Finch and Hwy 7. Almost as fast as driving!

[pokerdan]

Everything is good at Queen's but not egg tart. Unless you want to take the price as one of the consideration.

[fruglescot]

BEST EGG TARTS

There is a Taiwanese bakery in the Bamburgh Circle Plaza just south of Steeles Ave. on Warden Ave, The bakery is next to the Mcdos on the north end of the plaza. Big flaky pastry (No lard used) tarts are $1.00 each or by five NO TAX. You will not be disappointed. If you have a half hour to kill they will even make them fresh for you.
ALSO,
when you are there you must try their apple strudel. Light, not too sweet delightful. Say hello to Yvonne the owner's daughter, very knowledgable.

[red dragon]

The best egg tarts I've had (and I'm a fan) is the flaky crust ones as well (not cookie crust) and I don't like a tough crust. I know you mentioned TTC accessible, but if you happen to be uptown near the Chartwell Plaza (Brimley/Huntingwood), some time.... there is a bakery inside that makes amazing egg tarts. You can't miss it, it's across from the lotto booth and the bakery is associated with the Dragon Dynasty Restaurant which is our favorite place for dimsum.

[Juniper]

The bakery Red Dragon speaks of is called Aromaz Bakery.

[blissful_hope]

thanks guys! i'll definitely be checking some of these places out to get my fix! :)

[red dragon]

Thanks juniper, the name escaped me :)

[yellopineapples]

Best flakey egg tarts (IMHO) is at ABC Bakery at plaza on VicPark north of McNicoll. Not easily accessible by TTC though.

I heard Bakery18 opened at Atrium on Bay (Bay & Bloor) and they're run by the family who opened the chain of Jing Cheng Bakery shops uptown, they have REALLY good Taro buns, Milk puff buns and their red bean honey cake is so good. I'm not sure if they carry flakey egg tarts. The T&T grocery store definitely carries flakey egg tarts, go on the weekend and they'll be straight out of the oven.

[Ender]

Bakery 18 definitely carries egg tarts but they are much more in the Chinese style then the Portugese. Very eggy and very good.

[katostar]

do u mean bay and dundas? like across from eaton centre?

[xtal]

I think yellowpineapples did indeed mean Bay & Dundas. I've seen the bakery on the lower level of the Atrium on Bay, about halfway between the LCBO and the food court.

[yellopineapples]

Yes, sorry!! I meant Bay & Dundas.

[Wiley]

And I believe T&T has both the Chinese and the Portuguese styles.

[happycamper]

I have tried the eggtarts at bakery18, and they are actually a little disappointing. it is large, for chinese eggtarts, but the crust is blend and soft. for $1.25 a piece, you can get much better deals else where.
i do agree their taro bun is delicious

[happycamper]

Pink Pearl the dim sum restaurant in chinatown has Fantastic, crispy, and buttery crusts.
but if you are looking for a bakery, i suggest Yung Sing on bladwin. it is about a 10 min walk from the university subway station.
good luck hunting!