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Kwan Lac Bakery: Discover the Delight of Authentic Asian Treats

Kwan Lac Bakery is a cherished gem in Monterey Park, specializing in delightful Chinese pastries and sponge cakes. This community-focused bakery has gained a loyal following for its perfectly crafted sponge cakes and steam buns, particularly their wheat man tou, praised for its sweetness. With a no-frills approach, customers are greeted by friendly staff in a cozy atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for quick, delicious bites. The bakery’s commitment to quality shines through in every dish, satisfying cravings for authentic dim sum-style treats. Whether you’re grabbing a treat for yourself or catering a celebration, Kwan Lac Bakery promises a memorable experience.

Kwan Lac Bakery at a glance

  • Address 357 E Garvey Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91755
  • Phone (626) 288-3262
  • Restaurant type Chinese bakery .

Photos & Gallery

Kwan Lac Bakery: Reviews & Ratings

Tony Vo
5

My family pre-ordered some buns for a special occasion. Everything was ready we I got there to pick up. The lady there speaks good English which was easy to communicate with.

Willow Justin
5

Best sponge cake in the whole world people lining up at 8am to buy the fresh roll cake, sponge cake, meat bao, and pork tamale. Opening hours are 7am-3pm go early!

Hue Soo
5

Stopped by this longtime local Cantonese bakery on a Sunday morning to grab Chinese cruellers. Unfortunately, they stopped making it due to the high labor cost and the fact the they are laborious to make. However, I did grab a sponge cake and some deep fried sesame dough (don’t know what they’re called in English). Spongecake was divine - super fluffy, moist, just a tad of sweetness and affordable. It was nice chatting with the lady behind the counter.

My T Pham
5

Great pastries! Usually buy the mantau, sponge cake, Chinese donut, sesame balls, and the sesame flat Chinese donut there. Mantau is a plain steamed bread. These come in white or wheat. Love them both. They are moist and freeze well. Just make sure to steam the frozen ones when you want to eat them. Rehydrates them nicely. The sponge cake is very eggy so if you like the strong smell of whipped eggs in your sponge cake, you will love these! These cakes come plain with no decorations. Don't need any. They come in two sizes. I always get the bigger cakes. Can't get enough of them and one is good to share. Otherwise, I will eat the whole smaller one. The Chinese donut is the long fried salty donut. The hollow pockets inside are great for filling with rice porridge or coffee with condense milk or the condense milk by itself. In the rice porridge, it becomes a dumpling and adds texture to the smooth and tasty porridge. Yum! This donut needs to be eaten on the same day or it isn't great the second day. Since it is fried, the donut gets hard and oily on the second day. Can be baked and then eaten with porridge but not as good the second day. The chewiness is gone. The sesame ball came in two flavors: red bean filling (black sesame on the outside) or mung bean filling ( white sesame on the outside). Both are tasty. Wrap is a rice dough similar in texture to mochi. The flat sesame Chinese donut is a sweet fried dough. This also needs to be eaten the same day. Very tender with a slight sweetness to the dough. Great eaten alone or with a cup of coffee with condense milk. Yum! Today, I tried the pork bao and the sweet rice with pork wrapped in bamboo leaves. These were not bad. The pork bao just has season pork and onions in it. Usually there is half an egg, a piece of black Chinese mushroom, Chinese sausage slice, and the seasoned ground pork. This one didn't have the egg, black Chinese mushroom, or Chinese sausage slice. Pork was seasoned with salt and pepper. The dough part was fluffy. These can be frozen and resteamed before eating. The wrapped sweet rice and filling was good too. The fatty pork in the sweet rice made the rice flavorful. Also has a piece of Chinese sausage and a salted egg yolk in it. Salted egg yolk is one of my favorites! These don't last so they must be eaten right away or refrigerated a day or two at most and resteamed before eating. Keeping them longer runs the risk of them going bad. This bakery also sells great filled sweet buns too. They have lotus seed, taro, or mung bean paste in the buns. Great on the day purchased or they can be frozen and resteamed prior to consumption.

Lisa Lai
5

Their sesame balls are so good! Came here with my puppy and they were so nice! The pup approves of the sesame balls as well. Crunchy, chewy, and perfect amount of sweet. Will be back soon!

Bosco Kim
5

One of the best HongKong style bakeries in town that I have recently discovered. This store is small and looks so humble. However, seeing is truly deceiving. When you have their sweet cupcake, Chinese donuts, and a cup of HongKong style milk tea is the best combination to fully enjoy and dive yourself into the quality of HongKong style bakery. See you until the next posting... Please Stay Healthy, Be Safe, and Be Well, everyone! Have a Blessed Day! Bosco :)

john t
5

Freshly steamed (Man-Tao) bread is made daily. Delicious freshly made sponge cake every morning. Other pastries are made here too. This is the only place where I would purchase sponge cake.

Diana Wei
4

Cash! Hole in the wall place. Sponage cake, Chinese donuts, $2.50-$4.50 sticky rice, $2 pork cabbage steam bun, $1.50 sesame balls, etc. Free parking lot.

Location

  • Kwan Lac Bakery
    Kwan Lac Bakery
    357 E Garvey Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91755 Hotline: (626) 288-3262

Welcome to Kwan Lac Bakery: A Hidden Gem in Monterey Park

Nestled at 357 E Garvey Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91755, Kwan Lac Bakery is a beloved destination for those craving authentic Chinese baked goods. This charming bakery stands out for its warm community vibe and an array of delicious offerings, especially their renowned sponge cakes and fluffy steamed buns known as manto.

A Culinary Experience

As you step into Kwan Lac Bakery, the sweet aroma of freshly baked goods envelops you. The bakery has gained a loyal following from locals who rave about its offerings. The multiple reviews speak favorably about its consistent quality, friendly service, and engaging atmosphere, where customers often share recommendations while waiting in line. The small space might get bustling, especially around 10 AM on weekends, but the friendly staff ensures a quick and pleasant experience.

Signature Delights

  • Sponge Cakes: Priced at approximately $2.50 each, these cakes have become a staple for families. Available in soft or denser varieties, they present a delightful treat that is mildly sweet, perfect for dessert lovers.
  • Man Tou (Steamed Buns): Sold in bags of 10 for $16, these steamed buns are a versatile delight. Customers recommend the wheat variety for its subtle sweetness, while the white option is perfect for its soft texture. Pair them with Chinese sausages for a satisfying meal!
  • Other Treats: While the sponge cakes and man tou shine brightly, don’t overlook the red bean sesame balls, rice cakes, and sticky rice. Each bite reflects the bakery's commitment to freshness.

Accessibility and Payment Options

Kwan Lac Bakery makes it easy for customers with various payment options, including cash, Zelle, Venmo, and even cryptocurrency, making the experience accessible for everyone. Though cash and Zelle are preferred, it’s wise to ensure you bring the right form of payment. Street parking and a small on-site lot enhance convenience for visitors.

A Community Favorite

Customer enthusiasm paints Kwan Lac Bakery as not just a bakery but a community hub. Patrons rave about the quick service and the delightful interaction with regulars who share secret menu items and recommendations. Despite its casual setup — noted for no visible menu and limited outdoor seating — the charm lies in its simplicity and genuine community spirit.

Final Thoughts

In a world of gourmet bakeries, Kwan Lac Bakery stands out by embodying authenticity and community spirit. Their focus on high-quality, comforting baked goods makes it a must-visit in Monterey Park. For those eager to indulge in wholesome, delicious treats, Kwan Lac Bakery is a delightful stop worth adding to your culinary journey.

For inquiries or to place an order, give them a call at (626) 288-3262. Just remember to bring cash or Zelle for a delightful experience!

Business Information

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Service options
    • Offers takeaway
    • Delivery
    • Same-day delivery
  • Payments
    • Cash only