Eastern Bakery

Eastern Bakery is definitely a piece of Chinatown history and a treasure in the neighborhood. I have been going there for over 30 years. I have fond memories as a kid going there and having one of their "Bow Tie" pastries. It is a sticky, sweet fried pastry that goes really well with tea. Back in the day, they had a coffee shop in the back that served good breakfast and lunch. I hope that it can be brought back some day. Currently, the interior of the bakery is closed since covid, and customers are served at a table outside of the front door. There still seems to be a good variety of products though. The elderly gentleman that owns and runs the place is really friendly. I really hope that someday he will find someone to pass the business on to who cares about it's history and unique products. It would be a real shame if the business closed when he retired.

Favorite bakery to get fresh mooncakes! I always visit during the Midautumn festival, around August and September. They are definitely pricey, around $7-8 per mooncake depending on whether you want one or two yolks, which are extra, but I think it's worth it for the quality. Factory made mooncakes are often $30 or more per box of 4 anyway, so I consider the price to be comparable. I always get the traditional lotus paste with one yolk, red bean, fruit and nut, and mung bean. I've tried wintermelon; not my favorite flavor. They're so fresh sometimes they're warm! Paste is very soft and smooth, yolks seem to be house made as well, with the way they crumble. There are way more fillings and flavors during the Midautumn festival, but other times of year, generally they only have lotus and maybe red bean. Haven't tried the other pastries, other than the egg tarts, which are good! Cash only!

The kindness of a stranger! I was in SFO for the day and wandered here with only my credit cards at hand. I had a craving for red bean buns because they are honestly my fave. After a failed attempt to get cash from my CC, the owner - Mr Orlando- was so kind in giving me the buns, only with a promise to return in the future. Totally melted my heart because he didn’t have to do this! In the end, I was able to find my bank a little further down the street and caught them just as they were closing shop, to give him his money. I will never forget his generosity and will gladly return when I visit again! Thank you Mr Orlando! Red bean buns are great!