My heart sank when I heard their old shop was closing. For a moment, it felt like another irreplaceable piece of Chinatown's soul was fading away. But that sadness turned to pure relief when I discovered Ho Won had not just survived, but risen again in a bigger, brighter space on Forsyth Street.
This is it. This is the classic, old-school Cantonese bakery many of us grew up with, serving pastries and treats you fear might not exist in 20 years. Walking in is a wave of warm nostalgia. It's a connection to the village bakeries of Guangzhou, right here in NYC.
If it's your first time, the absolute must-tries are:
-Pineapple Buns (Bo Lo Bao): The classic. Sweet, crumbly top, soft, fluffy interior.
-Sa-Yong (Egg Puffs): These addictive, hollow Cantonese fried dough puffs are a perfect, lightly sweet snack.
-Hakka-style Rice Rolls: Savory and perfect on its own - no soy sauce necessary- maybe some hot sauce.
-Sesame Balls (Jian Dui): The sesame balls are perfectly crisp outside with that chewy, airy interior filled with sweet red bean.
-Pork Fried Dumplings (Ham Sui Gok): The fried dumplings are savory, crescent-shaped pockets with a glutinous, slightly sticky shell and a juicy pork filling.
Pro-Tip: If you haven't been in a while, be sure to check for their seasonal treats , especially around Chinese New Year. They'll make traditional items like Neen Go (New Year cake), Fot Gao (steamed fortune cake) and Lo Bok Go (turnip cake). A consistent bestseller is their Joong --the massive, savory tamale stuffed with Chinese sausage, green beans, egg yolk, braised pork.
Ho Won is more than just a bake shop. It's a living archive. In a neighborhood changing at lightning speed, this place must be protected at all costs. It preserves a tangible piece of Chinatown's history and heart.
What I appreciate just as much is that they've kept their prices incredibly affordable. It means the kids from the neighboring junior high can still pop in for a snack after school. They can build their own memories and taste the same flavors we cherish. That's how this nostalgia survives, by being passed on.
Thank you, Ho Won, for holding steady. Thank you for expanding so you can continue your legacy. This isn't just a bakery; it's an institution. Please support them, so future generations can know what real, old-school Chinatown tastes like. read more