Better know what u want when you walk in - line moves fast. The same old ToySen ladies taking order. Hilarious! If u want the Chinatown experience, this is it. People calling out - menu in English but the good stuff is in Chinese. Price is awesome. Very little sitting area. I had been coming here for years! Steamed buns, freshly baked bread for the wheat lover in you, congee, traditional sweet water like red or green mung beans, summer grass, tapioca, egg custards! The counter ladies like sugar so when u order the drink- be sure to say little sugar. Iced drinks are yummy!
(5)
Steven L.
This place has been open since I can remember. Really old school, and it is a real mom and pop shop. The steamed cha siew bow, Shrimp fun churn, and grass jelly slush are my top favs and what keeps me coming back for more. The char siew bow is kept inside the steamers and it's what separate this bakery from the others like Fai da and taipan where they just leave it on shelves to get cold. You will see your usual regulars and people sitting on the tables. The service is quick, they take your order fast and get your buns into your hands fast. Great place to grab and go.
(4)
Yifen J.
Not a large, sparkly bakery. Looks like every other non-brand bakery in Chinatown. Howeverrr. They have the most fantastic red bean bun with the sweet custard crust on the top and a great filling to bun ratio whereas most other places (except Fayda) half-ass their topping and makes you feel like you're eating air. Yummy 90cent breakfast when you're craving something with red bean. Quick efficient service, no frills.
(3)
Michael C.
I walk over the Manhattan Bridge all the time, and stopping at Ho Won for coffee and a pork bun is a weekly ritual for me. I don't know what they're doing in there, but the coffee is super hot and strong without tasting the least bit burnt. When I dream of NYC diners in the late 1970s, this is how I imagine the coffee tastes. Fortunately, the owners have never heard of inflation, because a small coffee is just $1 and a pork bun is just 90 cents. 90 cents! Why would they not just round it up to $1? I'll tell you why -- because these are good people!
(5)
Marcus Z.
A simple little bakery with great iced coffee and Chinese pastries (sweet and savory). Nothing too special here, just simple, cheap baked goods. Small place, so good for pick up! Not much space to eat in.
(3)
Polly H.
It is located about 2 blocks from the B/D train and has traditional Chinese beverages. I walked in with my heart set on a tea with milk (with sugar, of course!). I saw bo bo cha cha (tapioca, coconut milk, taro dessert) and also some jung (leaf wrapped sticky rice with salty preserved yolk and pork). I am excited to see some interesting bean filled goodies, but I never yearn for them. I'm more of the almond twist, cha siu (bbq pork) bun, and egg tart kind of girl.
(3)
Kevin W.
Yes to the fresh baked goods ... and a no-thanks to the bubble tea offering ... Their baked goods are solid, the bo loh buns are great and you can't really go wrong with any of that. As someone else pointed out, it's a Chinese bakery in Chinatown, so if you've been to any you'll know what to expect. Nothing particularly outstanding here but their stuff is pretty fresh and tasty. I was far from impressed from the drinks and the tapioca bubble tea was very meh. It was not very sweet and just lacked the richness that you'd expect from a bubble tea. I would not recommend coming here if you're looking for drinks, but if you're in the market for baked goods, you can't go wrong here.
(3)
Soph N.
Honestly, I'm surprised people even know this place. As a patron for over 30 years, I've come to love and hate this place. The cashier ladies are always stoned faced and sometimes you have to shout your order because there is no queuing policy. HOWEVER, I will reiterate (like my other posts about Chinatown) that this is the old-timey culture of the neighborhood. You can't change the older generation, might as well just adapt to them-you'll get less stress driven gray hairs that way. Anyway, back to baos, they're cheap and decent. The slushies are favorite of teens in summer. But my favorite are the shrimp and scallion rolls. Go to Taipan or Fayda for something fancier. Trust this review...I patron them 80% of the week.
(4)
Isabel L.
Never knew how fresh baked buns tasted liked, till I made it here..a sweet taste of Bun heaven ...I know other places may have more variety but you really can't beat anything fresh out of the oven. Two items I always get here, the Ham and Egg bun, or the Pineapple bun aka the king of Cantonese buns. It is essentially a crispy crust of cookie custard baked on top of a soft, doughy bun, and has nothing to do with pineapples so I never understood the name. I highly recommend it if its your first time here and you want something a little sweet. They also have a small variety of Chinese desserts, slushies and milk tea/coffee. All are good as well. The old ladies who work here may appear cranky or impatient at times, but I'm really starting to believe this is a result of being overworked and stressed for over 30 years. For the delicious buns I will stomach the occasional yelling and rushing by these ladies, cuz its worth it. p.s. Super inexpensive ... I can never spend more than 5 dollars here, no matter how much I buy
(4)
Tina C.
I came here to get some buns after my Cantonese class on a Saturday afternoon as hunger dawned on me. I was in complete disappointment as they lack variety of different buns that Fay Da and Taipan Bakery has. They didn't have the usual Cha Sui Bao either the baked or steam ones either. It's a small bakery with not too many choices. I totally believe it's your typical mom and papa of the elder generation.
(2)
Barbie L.
My friend introduced me to this place when we were still in school...and years later it's still where I prefer to get my Iced Milk-Tea. This is old-school Chinatown decor. They have never renovated, and it doesn't really matter...I kind of hope they never do but stay open forever :-)
(4)
Neil B.
Limited seating, limited choice of bao (buns) and other baked goods but in my opinion of the many places I have had baked cha sui bao (roast pork buns), Ho Won Bake Shoppe makes the most flavorful. They also used to have pretty good gai bao (chicken buns) but that last few time I asked in Mandarin (because I know about 10 words in Mandarin and only about three that won't get me thrown out of the place in Cantonese) they answered "may yo"..."we ain't got none of those"
(4)
Patricia C.
I used to be a huge fan of their "Wife's Cake" and Iced Milktea. However, later on, I discovered their Iced Watermelon SLUSH and just fell in love with that for the summertime! Kudos to them for great slushies!!!!!!!!
(3)
Elizabeth D.
I have been here a few times and have sampled a decent varieties of bread. Let's start with the pros. The bakeries are huge and prices are below average in Chinatown. I can easily get stuffed with one bun from Ho Won while usually I need two from other bakeries. Egg tart and sponge cake are delicious. They also sell some varieties of Chinese sweet soup and herbal tea. A great spot to have it all. Now the cons. While the bakeries are huge in size, the filling to bread ratio is way off. I suspect one of the reasons I get so stuffed with just one bun is the large amount of dough. The filling is delicious, for example, egg custard bun and char siu bun, but most of the time I'm just chewing on dough. Speaking of dough, it is not the best I've had. It's a bit chewy and undercooked. I can still feel the sticky texture. Another con is not-so-friendly service. Employees have the deadliest stares I've ever encountered. Ahhhh....
(3)
Alex H.
I've been here since I was 5 years old and they have never disappointed. I mean much of their stuff is less than $1 and their coffee is exactly $1. These people make coffee that would simply put starbucks to shame. Give their honey ginger, egg tart, wife cake glutinous rice ball wrapped in dried leaves or even steamed rice roll with shrimp a try. My favorite over there is the ham and egg bun as they have not conformed to the modern Chinese bakery style, it is hot and delicious indeed.
(5)
Alexandra L.
The Quick: Absolute best pork buns and egg custards in China town for less than $1... Food 4 stars, venue 2 stars, staff 5 stars (friendliest ladies although they speak very little English) The Details: Let me be clear upfront, this is not the kind of place you want to spend any amount of time. It is a very much a "get in get your delicious food and get out" type of place. It's in the heart of Chinatown that seems very polluted and crowded. Yet the bakery is extremely clean with an A rating and welcoming staff. That being said, the pork buns and Egg custards are out of this world. Take it from someone who spent an entire day eating at every bakery in Chinatown (I was stuffed to perfection but only spend about $20) this was the best bakery and the most reasonable prices. Pro tip-- never spend more than $1 on egg custards or pork buns, the authentic ones are quick and cheap. The Damage: $3 is enough to eat a feast.
(4)
H L.
Ho Won has been a neighborhood staple for many many years. I have been coming here for baked and steamed goodness for 20+ years. Coffee here is 10X better than any Starbucks. In the summer it's the best. We come for iced coffee, tea, bubble tea, all kinds of fruit smoothies. Totally awesome place. There was a comment about clerks being really angry but that's not the case at all. It's often crowded here, so they have to yell over people to get the orders and get them out quick. Definitely try the roast pork buns. If you don't want baked, they have steamed roast pork buns. The coconut butter buns are to die for. They also have steamed dumplings and, rice wrapped in Lotus leaf. They also have different types of Congee each day. Perfect place for breakfast to go. Enjoy this hidden gem of Chinatown!
(4)
Chris L.
Another chinese bakery to me. Nothing more to add but my review count.
(3)
Kevin Z.
Come on guys. This is a gem in Chinatown. So many things are under $1 that might give you a full tummy. I know the clerks are always angry and yells at you if you stand around like an idiot. Stop complaining. I was yelled at on my first trip here wondering what to get. Then this Yuppie just walks in and speaking broken Chinese and walk out in 30 second was just mind blown. Definitely try their $1 white thingy in the front which is a specialty. $2 can you get those rice wrap in green bamboo left which is packed with peanut and meat. So good. Anyone complain got issue. It's a tiny place and tiny business. Don't ruin it. I consider this place a less known iconic place in Chinatown. Bring someone who speaks Chinese or let your eye guide you.
(5)
Amy N.
Been coming here for the last 8 years, same great ladies working behind the counter. Consistent buns and drinks. Not a huge selection of items on the menu, but I do appreciated a warm bun everytime I come, they keep them in the warmer. They have congee as well, very rustic and has great homemade taste, unlike restaurants that uses slurries to thicken their congees. When it comes to drinks, gotta grab a cup of their sugarcane or herbal teas from the fridges to your left, all made on premises!
(4)
Linda S.
Terrible, impatient, rude service at best. BUT. They serve this slushie drink in the summertime that I haven't been able to find anywhere else: a singaporean drink called momochacha: coconut milk slushie with white tapioca, and studded with tiny morsels of taro and sweet potato. It is the perfect level of sweetness. It is also delicious.
(2)
PW C.
This bakery is wonderful! It's right across from the grocery store, so we always stop in before shopping on the weekends. Their roast pork bao in particular is so delicious (also, only 90 cents and satisfying enough to be a lunch!), though everything we've tried has been great--very fresh and flavorful. Seating is pretty limited, but there's room to stand on the covered/elevated area outside--since it's impossible not to eat whatever you get right away:)
(5)
Angela N.
Food is better than their drinks. Old school Chinese Bakery, only a few of it's kind around...so patron and give a tip.
(3)
Sasha C.
the ultra old school bakery. the ladies that work there look like your grandma or your aunt. the buns and drinks are recession prices, and theres never really a line except the summer time.. when everyone needs a cold drink. i love the red bean slush drink, as well as their milk teas. the lo por bangs here are delish as well. they have a very limited assortment of buns though so don't come expecting a full fledge bakery. theres about 3 tables that can seat 2 people.
(4)
Lily C.
This is where i get my breakfast when im in chinatown. Their milk tea is delicious but what tops the cake is their steamed shrimp crepe for 1 dollar. You might have a hard time just getting one. Not a lot of selections for sweet pastry but their pork bun and winter melon cake is always warm and straight from the oven.
(4)
Hideki K.
The roast pork buns are decent at Ho Won. They're a far second place to the roast pork buns at Mei Li Wah though.
(3)
Peter C.
I live down the street from this bakery and I walk past it every morning on the way to work at 7AM. They're fully stocked and open even that early, and there's usually a regular or two sitting in the window, having his breakfast tea and reading the newspaper. They have a pretty wide selection of buns, most of which can be had for 90 cents and less. My favorites are the scallion bacon bun and the hot dog bun. Chinese sausage bun is another good choice, and the pineapple bun (which is only 80 cents!) has a nice cookie-like crunchy top. They also make a delicious dried shrimp cheung fun. It's not the hot kind you can buy in the cart outside (which is another excellent Chinatown institution), but rather a cold kind with a nice bouncy chew to it, and probably their most expensive menu item at (gasp!) $1. Hope this place will be around for many more years to come.
(4)
Andy C.
Old school Chinese bakery, this ladies know their baos! I keep coming back for the borlor bao, it's just so damn amazing. Always fresh out of the oven, never had a stale one. Crispy glazed outside with a warm fluffy bread inside. Their tea with milk is very good and they get your stuff quick. Order only takes about like 30 seconds and everything is super cheap. I come here almost all the time when I'm at Chinatown.
(4)
Karin G.
Many similar spots, but Ho Won is reliable and always full of locals. Good mooncakes. Not a place to sit and relax though
(3)
Athena C.
Got the regular Milk Tea here. It is 90 cents and very hot. The bakery doesn't have much selection and is quite cramped. I would probably go somewhere else for more selection of Chinese buns and drinks.
(3)
Jade H.
Prices are creeping up to keep up with the other bakeries. Ranks amongst the other bakeries. Baked on premises which is a plus. They do offer a larger and small coffee size.
(3)
Tina L.
If I'm in the area during breakfast time, I usually get my milk tea and pineapple bun here. They do not offer as great a variety as other chinatown bakeries, but most are fresh and the prices haven't skyrocketed as much as the others have. There are two tables pushed up against the window, tolerable for a quick sit down and gobble, but there's too much customer turnover and movement for enjoyment.
I love bubble tea. I also love bubble coffee, too. The price is cheap. Only thing I have to say is that tapioca perles are too big that they got stuck in a straw.
(3)
Brian P.
Let me preface this review by saying that I only tried the coconut buns when I was here. What I can tell you is that the coconut buns are buttery, warm and delicious and are heavy enough to be a meal in itself... and they're only about 80 cents each!
(5)
Miles B.
I don't normally give five star reviews, but this little bakery had me sold. My first venture into Ho Won was thanks to my search for a red bean bun, one that was immediately satisfied with the flaky, buttery crust of the large bun centered with delicious red bean paste. Chinese deserts really play on textures, so when I saw a large, soft pastry with a red bean center, I pointed at the mysterious baked good: "Peanut", the old lady responded. Great, I'll take two. This was my favorite desert. I've no clue what you would call it, but it's like a translucent gluttonous rice pastry with a red bean or pineapple custard center. I haven't seen this at other bakeries, and I highly recommend it. The next time I went, I had one thing in mind, my translucent gluttonous pastry for the glutton I am. I asked for two red bean and one pineapple, paid two bucks, and two seconds and one wink later I and ended up with 5 delicious cookies stuffed into a bag! Ho Won, you may be more limited than the other bakeries, but your pastries are fresh and your prices even sweeter.
(5)
Anna L.
I just came here this morning for breakfast. I love their steamed vegetable and meat buns. The portion is small but inexpensive.
(4)
May Y.
Oh how I love this little bakery (called Ho Won Bake Shoppe) and the old school Chinese ladies that serve me my bao and ice coffee every morning/afternoon/late evening. I room (roommate- grams ha) right above it and it's great I tell you that I can run downstairs and grab a quick breakfast...all for under $2.00. Slammin'. The right-out-of-oven ball lor bao is slammin' too, make sure you catch that in the early morning. This bakery might not have a huge variety like Fay Da with their suspiciously buttery (but sort of good) eats but it's so ludicrously inexpensive and not the inexpensive-because-we're-so-damn-rundown type. Although Ho Won does have a good iced drinks selection- red bean ice, flavored ice, strawberry smoothie, etc. Come here for a quick eat or snack. You gotta love them baos.
(5)
Anhella S.
Love this place's red bean ice. My favorite thing to order here. Its sweet and the red bean is so soft and melts in your mouth good. They make a really tasty egg tart, other places make the crust flaky but here they make it like a pie. I also love sticky rice wrapped in white bun- really really good. Its soft, hot and chewy. Filled with loads of sticky rice and flavored with parsley, Chinese sausage and some dried shrimp. Their dried shrimp rolls on the counter are the best. For $1 they taste so damn good. Freshly made and delicious!!
Olena P.
Fresh buns!!!! I mean fresh buns!!! Fantastic!!!!
(4)The S.
Better know what u want when you walk in - line moves fast. The same old ToySen ladies taking order. Hilarious! If u want the Chinatown experience, this is it. People calling out - menu in English but the good stuff is in Chinese. Price is awesome. Very little sitting area. I had been coming here for years! Steamed buns, freshly baked bread for the wheat lover in you, congee, traditional sweet water like red or green mung beans, summer grass, tapioca, egg custards! The counter ladies like sugar so when u order the drink- be sure to say little sugar. Iced drinks are yummy!
(5)Steven L.
This place has been open since I can remember. Really old school, and it is a real mom and pop shop. The steamed cha siew bow, Shrimp fun churn, and grass jelly slush are my top favs and what keeps me coming back for more. The char siew bow is kept inside the steamers and it's what separate this bakery from the others like Fai da and taipan where they just leave it on shelves to get cold. You will see your usual regulars and people sitting on the tables. The service is quick, they take your order fast and get your buns into your hands fast. Great place to grab and go.
(4)Yifen J.
Not a large, sparkly bakery. Looks like every other non-brand bakery in Chinatown. Howeverrr. They have the most fantastic red bean bun with the sweet custard crust on the top and a great filling to bun ratio whereas most other places (except Fayda) half-ass their topping and makes you feel like you're eating air. Yummy 90cent breakfast when you're craving something with red bean. Quick efficient service, no frills.
(3)Michael C.
I walk over the Manhattan Bridge all the time, and stopping at Ho Won for coffee and a pork bun is a weekly ritual for me. I don't know what they're doing in there, but the coffee is super hot and strong without tasting the least bit burnt. When I dream of NYC diners in the late 1970s, this is how I imagine the coffee tastes. Fortunately, the owners have never heard of inflation, because a small coffee is just $1 and a pork bun is just 90 cents. 90 cents! Why would they not just round it up to $1? I'll tell you why -- because these are good people!
(5)Marcus Z.
A simple little bakery with great iced coffee and Chinese pastries (sweet and savory). Nothing too special here, just simple, cheap baked goods. Small place, so good for pick up! Not much space to eat in.
(3)Polly H.
It is located about 2 blocks from the B/D train and has traditional Chinese beverages. I walked in with my heart set on a tea with milk (with sugar, of course!). I saw bo bo cha cha (tapioca, coconut milk, taro dessert) and also some jung (leaf wrapped sticky rice with salty preserved yolk and pork). I am excited to see some interesting bean filled goodies, but I never yearn for them. I'm more of the almond twist, cha siu (bbq pork) bun, and egg tart kind of girl.
(3)Kevin W.
Yes to the fresh baked goods ... and a no-thanks to the bubble tea offering ... Their baked goods are solid, the bo loh buns are great and you can't really go wrong with any of that. As someone else pointed out, it's a Chinese bakery in Chinatown, so if you've been to any you'll know what to expect. Nothing particularly outstanding here but their stuff is pretty fresh and tasty. I was far from impressed from the drinks and the tapioca bubble tea was very meh. It was not very sweet and just lacked the richness that you'd expect from a bubble tea. I would not recommend coming here if you're looking for drinks, but if you're in the market for baked goods, you can't go wrong here.
(3)Soph N.
Honestly, I'm surprised people even know this place. As a patron for over 30 years, I've come to love and hate this place. The cashier ladies are always stoned faced and sometimes you have to shout your order because there is no queuing policy. HOWEVER, I will reiterate (like my other posts about Chinatown) that this is the old-timey culture of the neighborhood. You can't change the older generation, might as well just adapt to them-you'll get less stress driven gray hairs that way. Anyway, back to baos, they're cheap and decent. The slushies are favorite of teens in summer. But my favorite are the shrimp and scallion rolls. Go to Taipan or Fayda for something fancier. Trust this review...I patron them 80% of the week.
(4)Isabel L.
Never knew how fresh baked buns tasted liked, till I made it here..a sweet taste of Bun heaven ...I know other places may have more variety but you really can't beat anything fresh out of the oven. Two items I always get here, the Ham and Egg bun, or the Pineapple bun aka the king of Cantonese buns. It is essentially a crispy crust of cookie custard baked on top of a soft, doughy bun, and has nothing to do with pineapples so I never understood the name. I highly recommend it if its your first time here and you want something a little sweet. They also have a small variety of Chinese desserts, slushies and milk tea/coffee. All are good as well. The old ladies who work here may appear cranky or impatient at times, but I'm really starting to believe this is a result of being overworked and stressed for over 30 years. For the delicious buns I will stomach the occasional yelling and rushing by these ladies, cuz its worth it. p.s. Super inexpensive ... I can never spend more than 5 dollars here, no matter how much I buy
(4)Tina C.
I came here to get some buns after my Cantonese class on a Saturday afternoon as hunger dawned on me. I was in complete disappointment as they lack variety of different buns that Fay Da and Taipan Bakery has. They didn't have the usual Cha Sui Bao either the baked or steam ones either. It's a small bakery with not too many choices. I totally believe it's your typical mom and papa of the elder generation.
(2)Barbie L.
My friend introduced me to this place when we were still in school...and years later it's still where I prefer to get my Iced Milk-Tea. This is old-school Chinatown decor. They have never renovated, and it doesn't really matter...I kind of hope they never do but stay open forever :-)
(4)Neil B.
Limited seating, limited choice of bao (buns) and other baked goods but in my opinion of the many places I have had baked cha sui bao (roast pork buns), Ho Won Bake Shoppe makes the most flavorful. They also used to have pretty good gai bao (chicken buns) but that last few time I asked in Mandarin (because I know about 10 words in Mandarin and only about three that won't get me thrown out of the place in Cantonese) they answered "may yo"..."we ain't got none of those"
(4)Patricia C.
I used to be a huge fan of their "Wife's Cake" and Iced Milktea. However, later on, I discovered their Iced Watermelon SLUSH and just fell in love with that for the summertime! Kudos to them for great slushies!!!!!!!!
(3)Elizabeth D.
I have been here a few times and have sampled a decent varieties of bread. Let's start with the pros. The bakeries are huge and prices are below average in Chinatown. I can easily get stuffed with one bun from Ho Won while usually I need two from other bakeries. Egg tart and sponge cake are delicious. They also sell some varieties of Chinese sweet soup and herbal tea. A great spot to have it all. Now the cons. While the bakeries are huge in size, the filling to bread ratio is way off. I suspect one of the reasons I get so stuffed with just one bun is the large amount of dough. The filling is delicious, for example, egg custard bun and char siu bun, but most of the time I'm just chewing on dough. Speaking of dough, it is not the best I've had. It's a bit chewy and undercooked. I can still feel the sticky texture. Another con is not-so-friendly service. Employees have the deadliest stares I've ever encountered. Ahhhh....
(3)Alex H.
I've been here since I was 5 years old and they have never disappointed. I mean much of their stuff is less than $1 and their coffee is exactly $1. These people make coffee that would simply put starbucks to shame. Give their honey ginger, egg tart, wife cake glutinous rice ball wrapped in dried leaves or even steamed rice roll with shrimp a try. My favorite over there is the ham and egg bun as they have not conformed to the modern Chinese bakery style, it is hot and delicious indeed.
(5)Alexandra L.
The Quick: Absolute best pork buns and egg custards in China town for less than $1... Food 4 stars, venue 2 stars, staff 5 stars (friendliest ladies although they speak very little English) The Details: Let me be clear upfront, this is not the kind of place you want to spend any amount of time. It is a very much a "get in get your delicious food and get out" type of place. It's in the heart of Chinatown that seems very polluted and crowded. Yet the bakery is extremely clean with an A rating and welcoming staff. That being said, the pork buns and Egg custards are out of this world. Take it from someone who spent an entire day eating at every bakery in Chinatown (I was stuffed to perfection but only spend about $20) this was the best bakery and the most reasonable prices. Pro tip-- never spend more than $1 on egg custards or pork buns, the authentic ones are quick and cheap. The Damage: $3 is enough to eat a feast.
(4)H L.
Ho Won has been a neighborhood staple for many many years. I have been coming here for baked and steamed goodness for 20+ years. Coffee here is 10X better than any Starbucks. In the summer it's the best. We come for iced coffee, tea, bubble tea, all kinds of fruit smoothies. Totally awesome place. There was a comment about clerks being really angry but that's not the case at all. It's often crowded here, so they have to yell over people to get the orders and get them out quick. Definitely try the roast pork buns. If you don't want baked, they have steamed roast pork buns. The coconut butter buns are to die for. They also have steamed dumplings and, rice wrapped in Lotus leaf. They also have different types of Congee each day. Perfect place for breakfast to go. Enjoy this hidden gem of Chinatown!
(4)Chris L.
Another chinese bakery to me. Nothing more to add but my review count.
(3)Kevin Z.
Come on guys. This is a gem in Chinatown. So many things are under $1 that might give you a full tummy. I know the clerks are always angry and yells at you if you stand around like an idiot. Stop complaining. I was yelled at on my first trip here wondering what to get. Then this Yuppie just walks in and speaking broken Chinese and walk out in 30 second was just mind blown. Definitely try their $1 white thingy in the front which is a specialty. $2 can you get those rice wrap in green bamboo left which is packed with peanut and meat. So good. Anyone complain got issue. It's a tiny place and tiny business. Don't ruin it. I consider this place a less known iconic place in Chinatown. Bring someone who speaks Chinese or let your eye guide you.
(5)Amy N.
Been coming here for the last 8 years, same great ladies working behind the counter. Consistent buns and drinks. Not a huge selection of items on the menu, but I do appreciated a warm bun everytime I come, they keep them in the warmer. They have congee as well, very rustic and has great homemade taste, unlike restaurants that uses slurries to thicken their congees. When it comes to drinks, gotta grab a cup of their sugarcane or herbal teas from the fridges to your left, all made on premises!
(4)Linda S.
Terrible, impatient, rude service at best. BUT. They serve this slushie drink in the summertime that I haven't been able to find anywhere else: a singaporean drink called momochacha: coconut milk slushie with white tapioca, and studded with tiny morsels of taro and sweet potato. It is the perfect level of sweetness. It is also delicious.
(2)PW C.
This bakery is wonderful! It's right across from the grocery store, so we always stop in before shopping on the weekends. Their roast pork bao in particular is so delicious (also, only 90 cents and satisfying enough to be a lunch!), though everything we've tried has been great--very fresh and flavorful. Seating is pretty limited, but there's room to stand on the covered/elevated area outside--since it's impossible not to eat whatever you get right away:)
(5)Angela N.
Food is better than their drinks. Old school Chinese Bakery, only a few of it's kind around...so patron and give a tip.
(3)Sasha C.
the ultra old school bakery. the ladies that work there look like your grandma or your aunt. the buns and drinks are recession prices, and theres never really a line except the summer time.. when everyone needs a cold drink. i love the red bean slush drink, as well as their milk teas. the lo por bangs here are delish as well. they have a very limited assortment of buns though so don't come expecting a full fledge bakery. theres about 3 tables that can seat 2 people.
(4)Lily C.
This is where i get my breakfast when im in chinatown. Their milk tea is delicious but what tops the cake is their steamed shrimp crepe for 1 dollar. You might have a hard time just getting one. Not a lot of selections for sweet pastry but their pork bun and winter melon cake is always warm and straight from the oven.
(4)Hideki K.
The roast pork buns are decent at Ho Won. They're a far second place to the roast pork buns at Mei Li Wah though.
(3)Peter C.
I live down the street from this bakery and I walk past it every morning on the way to work at 7AM. They're fully stocked and open even that early, and there's usually a regular or two sitting in the window, having his breakfast tea and reading the newspaper. They have a pretty wide selection of buns, most of which can be had for 90 cents and less. My favorites are the scallion bacon bun and the hot dog bun. Chinese sausage bun is another good choice, and the pineapple bun (which is only 80 cents!) has a nice cookie-like crunchy top. They also make a delicious dried shrimp cheung fun. It's not the hot kind you can buy in the cart outside (which is another excellent Chinatown institution), but rather a cold kind with a nice bouncy chew to it, and probably their most expensive menu item at (gasp!) $1. Hope this place will be around for many more years to come.
(4)Andy C.
Old school Chinese bakery, this ladies know their baos! I keep coming back for the borlor bao, it's just so damn amazing. Always fresh out of the oven, never had a stale one. Crispy glazed outside with a warm fluffy bread inside. Their tea with milk is very good and they get your stuff quick. Order only takes about like 30 seconds and everything is super cheap. I come here almost all the time when I'm at Chinatown.
(4)Karin G.
Many similar spots, but Ho Won is reliable and always full of locals. Good mooncakes. Not a place to sit and relax though
(3)Athena C.
Got the regular Milk Tea here. It is 90 cents and very hot. The bakery doesn't have much selection and is quite cramped. I would probably go somewhere else for more selection of Chinese buns and drinks.
(3)Jade H.
Prices are creeping up to keep up with the other bakeries. Ranks amongst the other bakeries. Baked on premises which is a plus. They do offer a larger and small coffee size.
(3)Tina L.
If I'm in the area during breakfast time, I usually get my milk tea and pineapple bun here. They do not offer as great a variety as other chinatown bakeries, but most are fresh and the prices haven't skyrocketed as much as the others have. There are two tables pushed up against the window, tolerable for a quick sit down and gobble, but there's too much customer turnover and movement for enjoyment.
(3)Au G.
The excitement from the sponge cakes at New Kam Hing had so stimulated the brain that my fellow crusader to Chinatown remembered having a terrific yuan yang in Chinatown: Yuan yang (literally meaning "Chinese ducks," which are believed to stay as a pair throughout their lives) is a quintessentially Hong Kong drink - a blend of coffee and Hong Kong-style milk tea. Why Hong Kong? Because Hong Kong milk tea is made of seriously and lengthily boiled tea, against the better esteemed English method; furthermore, it is enhanced with condensed milk. My only trial of this potent caffeine elixir, yuan yang, was in the form of a tapioca milk tea, well, tapioca coffee and tea, and my memory of it is colored by a disdainful unpleasantness. However, the exact location where the best yuan yang could be found was lost in the snow as all the streets looked similar and disorientingly clean after a massive blizzard. Cold and tired, we stopped by at Ho Won Bake Shoppe - a local favorite. Their yuan yang was heavily dosed with half-and-half and came with a tea bag. I let my fellow crusader-cum-yuan yang initiated inspect the innocuous looking thing that was not café au lait. She exclaimed immediately that the color was not right. In addition, a real yuan yang should not be made of a tea bag. As to taste, while it was not as unacceptable as in my memory - more tea than coffee - but it was nowhere near "good" because weak tea or coffee or the combination of the two cannot be more than the sum of its parts. Therefore, the half-and-half floated disjointedly in the murky water and half-and-half was what we left the store with.
(2)A K.
I love bubble tea. I also love bubble coffee, too. The price is cheap. Only thing I have to say is that tapioca perles are too big that they got stuck in a straw.
(3)Brian P.
Let me preface this review by saying that I only tried the coconut buns when I was here. What I can tell you is that the coconut buns are buttery, warm and delicious and are heavy enough to be a meal in itself... and they're only about 80 cents each!
(5)Miles B.
I don't normally give five star reviews, but this little bakery had me sold. My first venture into Ho Won was thanks to my search for a red bean bun, one that was immediately satisfied with the flaky, buttery crust of the large bun centered with delicious red bean paste. Chinese deserts really play on textures, so when I saw a large, soft pastry with a red bean center, I pointed at the mysterious baked good: "Peanut", the old lady responded. Great, I'll take two. This was my favorite desert. I've no clue what you would call it, but it's like a translucent gluttonous rice pastry with a red bean or pineapple custard center. I haven't seen this at other bakeries, and I highly recommend it. The next time I went, I had one thing in mind, my translucent gluttonous pastry for the glutton I am. I asked for two red bean and one pineapple, paid two bucks, and two seconds and one wink later I and ended up with 5 delicious cookies stuffed into a bag! Ho Won, you may be more limited than the other bakeries, but your pastries are fresh and your prices even sweeter.
(5)Anna L.
I just came here this morning for breakfast. I love their steamed vegetable and meat buns. The portion is small but inexpensive.
(4)May Y.
Oh how I love this little bakery (called Ho Won Bake Shoppe) and the old school Chinese ladies that serve me my bao and ice coffee every morning/afternoon/late evening. I room (roommate- grams ha) right above it and it's great I tell you that I can run downstairs and grab a quick breakfast...all for under $2.00. Slammin'. The right-out-of-oven ball lor bao is slammin' too, make sure you catch that in the early morning. This bakery might not have a huge variety like Fay Da with their suspiciously buttery (but sort of good) eats but it's so ludicrously inexpensive and not the inexpensive-because-we're-so-damn-rundown type. Although Ho Won does have a good iced drinks selection- red bean ice, flavored ice, strawberry smoothie, etc. Come here for a quick eat or snack. You gotta love them baos.
(5)Anhella S.
Love this place's red bean ice. My favorite thing to order here. Its sweet and the red bean is so soft and melts in your mouth good. They make a really tasty egg tart, other places make the crust flaky but here they make it like a pie. I also love sticky rice wrapped in white bun- really really good. Its soft, hot and chewy. Filled with loads of sticky rice and flavored with parsley, Chinese sausage and some dried shrimp. Their dried shrimp rolls on the counter are the best. For $1 they taste so damn good. Freshly made and delicious!!
(5)