Many Los Angeles locals know that when you’re looking for authentic Asian cuisine, you can skip Chinatown and head towards San Gabriel Valley instead. Not that there’s anything wrong with Chinatown, it’s just that throughout the years, the area has slowly transformed into a tourist trap. By the time the 90s rolled around, most of Chinatown’s longtime residents had already moved into the Valley, bringing signature cuisines along with them. 

Here’s a guide to the best Chinese pastry shops in the Valley, where you’re sure to find freshly-baked pineapple buns, creamy fruit angel cakes, savory hot dog pastries, and many more of popular desserts.

Courtesy of Duke Bakery / Yelp

Duke Bakery – Arcadia

One of the standout Asian pastry shops in Arcadia is the sleekly decorated and innovative Duke Bakery. The original shop first opened in Singapore and it became wildly popular because of its combination of Japanese, European, and Taiwanese artisan bread-making styles. As part of the pastry eatery’s unique experience, customers can fill their trays with scones, chocolate buns, pizza onion toasts, raisin rolls, and even walnut cheesy breads — all while pushing around a nifty mini shopping cart.

Phoenix Dessert – Alhambra

Unlike many of the Valley’s other pastry shops originating from Asia, the original Phoenix Dessert first opened in 1965 in LA’s very own Chinatown. Phoenix remained a staple in Chinatown for decades before finally opening its second location in Alhambra, and that’s when it exploded in popularity. From mango and durian rolls to mini egg tarts and mochi, this store is a favorite with many longtime residents and even their parents.

Courtesy of the 626

O’ My Buns – Rowland Heights

If you find yourself in Rowland Heights, be sure to visit O’ My Buns if you’re craving a fresh-out-of-the-oven coffee bun. Not only are the buns both fluffy but they also come in miniature sizes in case you want to eat only one before taking the rest home. The bakery is located inside the Tutti Frutti between Stone Creek and Walnut.

Royal Bakery – Rosemead

If you’re craving homemade pork buns and you’re in Rosemead, head towards Royal Bakery. This mom-and-pop establishment makes their famous pork banh baos with the traditional quail egg, pork sausage, and ground pork fillings, but sets itself apart from competitors due to its ideal proportion of bread to filling. Large and freshly made buns sell for less than two dollars each.

Courtesy of Bake Code

Bake Code – San Gabriel & Rowland Heights

Bake Code is a pastry boutique that began in Taiwan but established prominence in California at its San Gabriel location. The made-from-scratch cakes and desserts, such as the red bean mochi buns, Earl Grey bread, and Hokkaido Chiffon cupcakes combine Asian pastry recipes with European baking methods. This destination is a regular go-to spot for locals.

Sunmerry Bakery – Monterey Park, Temple City, City of Industry

With various locations throughout the Valley, including in Monterey Park, Temple City, and the City of Industry, Sunmerry Bakery offers customers over 80 types of bread and cakes. All-time favorite pastries include the green tea croissant, taro milk cake, and its barbeque chashu pork buns. Even the birthday cakes are baked fresh daily.

Courtesy of Oh My Pan / Instagram

Oh My Pan Bakery & Tea – San Gabriel & Pasadena

This place is buns galore. Featuring a multitude of hybrid flavors, such as matcha mochi buttercream, coffee with sea salt, seaweed sausage, and hot dog corn, Oh My Pan Bakery serves patrons in San Gabriel and Pasadena a variety of sweet and savory Asian breads. The owner decided to start its second location in Pasadena after seeing the success of the original San Gabriel location during the recession.

Kee Wah Bakery – Monterey Park & More

Kee Wah Bakery was founded in 1938 in Hong Kong, and it made its U.S. debut in 1985 in Monterey Park as a response to the neighborhood’s increasing need for an artisanal Chinese pastry shop. Although the bakery features chicken and curry puff pastries, various styles of egg tarts, and pineapple buns, it's known for its mooncakes, which is a signature dessert eaten during annual Mid-Autumn celebrations throughout the world.

Courtesy of 85C Bakery

85°C Bakery – Pasadena, Irvine, and more

Over the past couple years, 85°C Bakery has expanded from it’s first U.S. location in Irvine, which opened in 2008. It’s a well-known franchise throughout the world, but despite its status as a chain bakery, it’s innovative recipes and memorable pastries continue to stand out from other shops. After 85°C set up its Pasadena shop, it’s popularity grew and now are all over LA.

JJ Squared Bakery – Hacienda Heights & more

After originally opening in Hacienda Heights back in 1996, JJ Bakery, which is calling itself JJ Squared these days, drew a loyal customer base with its handmade breads and creamy fruit-filled cakes. It combines French baking techniques with popular Asian recipes, and it’s become a staple for many in the Valley and Los Angeles.