Pack Some Cash, Because These 7 California Chinese Bakeries Sell Egg Tarts

Egg tarts are small, but they pull big crowds in California. Some of the best ones come from old-school Chinese bakeries where the menu is simple, the lines move fast, and many shops only take cash.

This list covers seven bakeries from San Francisco to Los Angeles, with stops in Oakland, Sacramento, and Monterey Park along the way. You will find flaky Chinatown classics, Hong Kong-style po tarts, and neighborhood spots where pork buns share the spotlight.

Some of these bakeries have been around for generations, while others are the go-to spot for a quick pastry box before a family visit. A few open early, a few close by late afternoon, and at least one skips Mondays entirely.

So check the hours, grab a few bills, and save this list for your next tart run.

1. Golden Gate Bakery, San Francisco, CA

Few pastry lines in San Francisco are as famous as the one outside 1029 Grant Ave. Golden Gate Bakery draws crowds that can stretch down the block, and the reason fits in the palm of your hand.

The egg custard tart is the star here. Expect a super flaky, tender crust with a buttery note and a soft, gooey custard filling that stays lightly sweet.

Tarts run about $2.50 each or $30 per dozen, and the bakery is cash-only. That dozen price is handy if you are feeding an office or a family gathering.

The menu goes beyond custard, too. Coconut tarts, sesame seed balls, chewy almond cookies, and wintermelon mooncakes are all part of the lineup.

I would plan this stop around a Chinatown stroll, since the bakery sits right in the heart of the historic neighborhood. Street parking and paid garages are nearby, but walking in is often the easier move.

2. Lung Fung Bakery, San Francisco, CA

Lard is the old-school secret at Lung Fung Bakery. It is one of the few Chinese bakeries in town that still uses it, and that choice shows up in the flaky tart shells and rich bun dough.

Out on Clement Street in the Richmond District, this bakery keeps things practical. You come for the food, not the decor.

The egg tarts have a jiggly custard, and there is also a warm egg custard on the menu. Baked BBQ pork buns, green onion buns, cocktail buns, coconut cream buns, and pineapple custard buns round out the counter.

The sweetness level leans a little higher than at some other city bakeries, so keep that in mind if you like things mild. Prices stay low, and payment is cash-only.

Hours run Tuesday through Sunday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with Mondays closed. Saturdays get busy, and there is no restroom, so treat it as a quick grab-and-go.

Oddly enough, you can also pick up lottery tickets here.

3. Napoleon Super Bakery, Oakland, CA

Six buns for under ten dollars is the kind of math that keeps Oakland Chinatown coming back to Napoleon Super Bakery. The shop at 810 Franklin St packs a big variety into a compact space.

You will find a wide range of Asian pastries, buns, and tarts, including custard treats and flaky pastries. Cakes, bread, and even a well-liked croissant show up here as well.

Lines can form, especially on weekend mornings and afternoons. Service is quick, so the wait usually moves along.

Bring cash, since the bakery is cash-only. There is no dine-in seating, so plan to take your box to go.

Hours are 7 AM to 5 PM most days, stretching to 6 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday afternoons tend to be quieter if you want to skip the crowd.

4. Eastern Bakery – coffee crunch cake, San Francisco, CA

History buffs, this one is for you. Eastern Bakery is known as the oldest bakery in San Francisco Chinatown, and it still sits on Grant Avenue with a humble, no-fuss interior.

Coffee crunch cake is right there in the name, and it is a signature item. The egg tarts hold their own, with a thin pastry that does not taste oily when fresh.

The case also carries baked and steamed pork buns, coconut sweet buns, walnut cookies, lotus and black bean mooncakes, and Chinese tamales. It is a nice mix of sweet and savory for one quick stop.

Hours are short, 11 AM to 4 PM daily, so do not plan a late visit. Saturday afternoons get the biggest lines.

Payment is cash-only, and there is no restroom. Paid garages and street parking are nearby.

5. JIM’S BAKERY [Monterey Park, CA], Monterey Park, CA

Two styles of egg tart, one counter. Jim’s Bakery in Monterey Park serves Hong Kong-style fare, and that includes both the classic egg tart and the Portuguese-style po tart.

The po tarts are the headline act. They pair a smooth, delicate custard with a buttery, crispy crust, and they are best right out of the oven.

Mango cake is another big reason to stop. Chicken pies and pineapple buns also make the menu here.

The bakery sits at 400 S Atlantic Blvd in the San Gabriel Valley, where Hong Kong-style bakeries are a regular part of daily life. There is a parking lot, which makes grabbing a pastry box easy.

Hours run Wednesday through Sunday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with Monday and Tuesday closed. I would save this one for a weekend when you need a cake for a family get-together.

6. ABC Bakery, Sacramento, CA

Handwritten signs and a line out the door are a good clue you have found ABC Bakery. This unassuming Florin Road shop is a Sacramento favorite for Chinese baked goods and dim sum.

The egg tart sits on the menu alongside BBQ pork buns, chicken buns, pineapple buns, and red bean mochi. Dim sum includes siu mai, har gow, chicken feet, and fried pork dumplings.

The baked items are the strongest part of the lineup. Grab tarts and buns first, then fill in with dumplings.

Service is fast and no-frills, so even long lines keep moving. There is no dine-in, so plan to eat in the car or at home.

Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 7 AM to 4 PM, closed Mondays. Weekends are the busiest, and a parking lot makes the stop simple.

7. Wonder Bakery, Los Angeles, CA

Late-night tart cravings in LA have a friendly answer. Wonder Bakery on North Broadway stays open until 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, which is rare for a Chinatown bakery.

The shelves hold plastic-wrapped classics like egg tarts, curry puffs, hot dog buns, and melon buns. Almond cookies, green bean pies, red bean mooncakes, and mini mooncakes are also on hand.

Special-occasion cakes are a big focus here. The mango cake is light and full of mango flavor.

Drinks set it apart from the other stops on this list. You can order espresso, juices, tea, and boba with your pastries.

The remodeled shop has a family-friendly setup and helpful staff. Regular hours are 10 AM to 6 PM the rest of the week, so an egg tart and a boba make an easy afternoon break.

From San Francisco to Los Angeles, these seven bakeries prove a great egg tart rarely costs much. Just keep some cash in your wallet and a few napkins in the car.