Emperor’s Garden Cakes & Bakery
About
Bakeries, Patisserie/Cake Shop
Price Range : Under $10 ($)
Location
Adress: 96-100 Hay St, Haymarket, New South Wales 2000
Phone: +61 2 9211 2268
Work Hours
Business info
- directions_carDeliveryNo
- move_to_inboxTake-outYes
- local_parkingParkingStreet
- accessibilityGood for KidsYes
- fastfoodCatersNo
Reviews
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Yi Z.
After our lunch at Mamak and dessert at Meet Fresh, we were strolling around Chinatown and saw a line outside of a bakery. The first thought that crossed my mind was - a line must be a good sign! We stood in the line before we even figured out what we were waiting for. It turned out that there are inexpensive freshly made cream puffs. We were already full and only got $1 worth (3 puffs) but lots of other customers ordered $5 worth or more. There's no denying that it's a great value.
The filling process is fully automated and the machine is set at one steady speed. It turns out that the machine is the bottleneck that causes the queue outside. My travel buddy and I, both current MBA students who recently completed an Operations class, laughed about how this could be a case study in operations.
Were the puffs special? Not really. But seriously, for $1, I was pretty happy. -
Jody M.
Great Cantonese bakery, good cocktail buns and custard puffs, prices reasonable, always open
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Jon L.
Emperor's Garden is a bakery in Chinatown Sydney that is famously known for their Emperor's Puffs. These are custard cream puffs inside small pancakes that remind me of the Danish pancakes, ebelskiver.
The bakery is located in Haymarket a few meters away from the Chinatown gate entrance. Emperor's Garden also is a restaurant, but they have a separate storefront for their bakery. If you are looking for Chinese baked goods like egg tarts and buns, enter the store. But if you are here only for the cream puffs, make you way to the back of the line outside which is strictly for this item.
I think part of the reason why these cream puffs are so popular is because of the price. Prices start from $.35 each to $5 for 20. The more you buy, the lower the cost per puff is. I came here on a Sunday evening for some dessert and the cream puff line was long. The line moved slowly so I had to wait about 30 minutes before I reached the cream puff window to make my order.
I decided to get $3 worth of cream puffs which is a total of 11. As you look into the window, you see a machine producing the cream puffs. It reminded of a similar machine in Seattle at Pike Place Market's Daily Dozen producing fresh doughnuts on the spot as you watch.
Once you get your cream puffs, it is best to eat them as soon as possible. Though be careful if you eat them right away as the cream will burn your tongue as it is still hot. I can see why this concoction is popular. The puffs have soft breading and the custard is pleasant. You do need to eat them while they are still warm as they don't taste as good when they are cold.
While I thought the cream puffs were good, I am not sure that I would come here again. I don't think they are worth a 30 minute wait. If it was 10 minute or less, I would consider it since it is an inexpensive treat. But if you are short on time, I would skip this place or get something inside the bakery instead. -
Jon R.
Best place in Chinatown to get a sweet cream puff dessert. I come to this place anytime I'm in Chinatown. 18 for $5 is not a bad deal either.
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Connie M.
Everyone goes crazy for the fresh custard chestnut-shaped puffs, but the hidden star at Emperor's Garden? the egg tarts located inside the shop! Super flaky crust filled with smooth and creamy egg pudding-like filling. The crust has a nice bite and the best part is the super low price.