Ming Xiang Bakery

Of all the bakeries in 8^th ave, this is one of the oldest one. The bread and buns there are traditional and it’s at a reasonable price. They have dim sum here in the morning, and it’s served until it’s sold out. The old chinese ladies here are very nice. I love their strawberry milkshakes! Blended with fresh strawberries and milk, only $ 2! You guys gotta try it.

Awesome bakery! They ladies are always friendly and the buns are always fresh. The only reason they do not get 5 stars from me is because my favorite bao (veggie meat) does not taste as good as a competitor further down 8^th ave. Otherwise, everything else is good, tasty, and cheap.

Typical chinese bakery. Got my iced coffee here. So refreshing.

For all of the dime a dozen bakeries lining up 8^th Avenue, Brooklyn Chinatown has a mini gem in Ming Xiang. Chinese for «Famous aromatic /​fragrant bakery» Ming Xiang always has a decent variety of baked goods — most of which I’m happy to report is reasonably priced and consistently fresh.
It’s never too crowded, not even on the weekends as most folks are just stopping in to get a bun and a drink. There isn’t a ton of seating and a majority of the staff doesn’t speak a lot of English. These two attributes would also apply to the rest of the mediocre competition, but Ming Xiang has most of them beat on quality alone.
I usually am a fan of their hot dog buns, pineapple buns, and curry puffs (ca lei so!). The egg tarts (dan tat) is often heralded as one of the best on the block, but after a few misfires, I wouldn’t be so quick to jump on the gun just yet. While folks are quick to invade the hot baked goods, I also wouldn’t sell their cakes /​pastries short. They look delicious and I can vouch for their halfway decent fruit tarts and napoleon cakes.
Lovin the milk tea? Get it here. I am a fan of their HK tea (tea, condensed milk), best enjoyed cold and sweet. While boba is on the menu, I’m almost convinced they (like 80% of all other bubble tea shops) use powder to achieve their fruity variety there. Hot tea drinks tend to do well here. Often times, customers will come ordering only that.
And of course, it’s cash only. What joint isn’t in Chinatown?

This is a decent local bakery. The women working there are much more friendly than the other bakeries. They speak Cantonese and minimal English, but they are happy to fill your order. Their prices are less expensive than the dominating Dragon Bay Bakery chain and their service is much better. They have the standard items for a Chinese bakery like egg tarts, raisin twists, pineapple buns, hot dog buns, etc. Their egg tarts are above average in my book and worth a try when you’re in the 8^th ave area, but it’s not exactly worth a subway ride if you are interested in the egg tart. It’s the best egg tart out of the many mediocre bakeries around the area.
If you’re looking for a crash course in Chinese pastries, let me suggest this website:
Happy Eating!

Whenever I walk by a Chinese bakery, there are always two things I have to get: a can of Coke and a hot dog in a baked bun. Yes, it takes simple things like a soda and a pig in a blanket to make me giddy. But that’s what happened today.
This was my first excursion into Chinatown in Brooklyn and it really opened my eyes. Yes it is crowded but it’s not as congested and not nearly as claustrophobia-​inducing as the Chinatown in Manhattan. Granted, this isn’t going to be a regular stop on Rod’s Tour of Foodness but he will have to consult with his roadies and tour manager to possibly set up some future dates here.