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No-frills, cozy Chinese restaurant & bakery serving traditional buns, congee & rice noodle rolls.
Hours
| Tuesday | 8:30 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 8:30 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 8:30 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 8:30 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 8:30 AM–8 PM |
| Monday | 8:30 AM–8 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 41 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 966-7866
Website: http://meilaiwah.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
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Reviews
Firestrike
Got the popular pineapple pork bun, and a steamed pork bun to compare. I’ll be honest, I like sweet things, but wow the pineapple bun was verrrrry sweet. The pork filling inside is already sweet, so adding sweet bread on top of that pushed it a bit over my threshold for sugar content.
That being said, for the same reason, the steamed bun was excellent! It wasn’t too sweet on its own, which helped highlight the sweet and savory pork without making the whole thing too cloying.
Of course, the steamed bun was softer and squishier, while the roast one was crispier and chewier. Both were awesome texturally, it just comes down to personal preference. The pork filling on its own was also delicious: sweet, savory, rich, and tender!
Would definitely recommend this place, the buns are awesome for the price! I preferred the steamed bun over the pineapple one, but if you like things ultra sweet then maybe go pineapple. Next time I’ll try the regular baked pork bun too!
… moreThat being said, for the same reason, the steamed bun was excellent! It wasn’t too sweet on its own, which helped highlight the sweet and savory pork without making the whole thing too cloying.
Of course, the steamed bun was softer and squishier, while the roast one was crispier and chewier. Both were awesome texturally, it just comes down to personal preference. The pork filling on its own was also delicious: sweet, savory, rich, and tender!
Would definitely recommend this place, the buns are awesome for the price! I preferred the steamed bun over the pineapple one, but if you like things ultra sweet then maybe go pineapple. Next time I’ll try the regular baked pork bun too!
Tanner Leavitt
We had to try the famous baked pork bun here, we had just walked the Brooklyn bridge and Chinatown is close by on the Manhattan side. There was a ton of people inside the little store, we ordered on one of the tablets they had set up, it was easy to use. And then we were surprised at how fast the order was ready! The bun itself is delicious, filled with a sweet pork mixture. I would definitely recommend!
… moreT HA
4-Star Google Review:
Stopped by Mei Lai Wah Bakery while in New York and had a really good experience. I ordered the baked pork bun and it was delicious—soft, fresh, and full of flavor. Service was fast and the staff kept the line moving quickly. A great spot to grab a quick, tasty bite if you’re in the area. Would definitely stop by again.
… moreStopped by Mei Lai Wah Bakery while in New York and had a really good experience. I ordered the baked pork bun and it was delicious—soft, fresh, and full of flavor. Service was fast and the staff kept the line moving quickly. A great spot to grab a quick, tasty bite if you’re in the area. Would definitely stop by again.
humansdidit
If the only thing they served was pork buns I would give it five stars however that’s not the case, giving it four stars is too much for just one item. The best thing about this place is what I’ll start with
The wings in the photo only looks slightly crispy because I put them in an air fryer after a 10 minute commute but they’re putting a plastic container with no holes.
The pork buns are made fresh to order which at most spots you’re getting something that’s been on the counter for a while, but because the line is so long and frequent here pork buns need to made to order which is great because they’re fresh but there’s not much that sets apart the regular pork button from the pineapple one other than the fact that the pineapple one has a Mexican concha style bread covering on top.
The egg yolk buns were also very good.
However the wings were not that great they tasted all right however for $7.50 I could be sold for regular wings not what equates to two wings. I’m getting four flats for $7.50 and they’re not even crispy which is fine but the flavor is not worth. Close to $2 per “wing” it’s kind of crazy.
The atmosphere was just a bunch of people getting online so that they don’t know what they’re for there’s a cash line a card line and a line for people who already paid it seems straightforward but for most people it’s not.
You barely talk to staff. If you pay with car do you have the option of waiting outside and getting texted when your order is ready but you won’t get a text message for about an hour after your order is ready, and let’s be honest by that point your food is probably garbage because it’s just not fresh and a lot of these things need to be eaten fresh especially the wings.
Pork buns super okay probably the best spot to get them in Chinatown right now unless you know a spot that make some fresh to order other than that probably save your money $3 for a pork bun seems like quite a bit to some people personally know to me if you go here just get pork buttons don’t touch anything else on the menu I assume everything else is for tourists. And if you are a tourist and you’re reading this $7.50 is not what you should be paying for wings let alone for flats
… moreThe wings in the photo only looks slightly crispy because I put them in an air fryer after a 10 minute commute but they’re putting a plastic container with no holes.
The pork buns are made fresh to order which at most spots you’re getting something that’s been on the counter for a while, but because the line is so long and frequent here pork buns need to made to order which is great because they’re fresh but there’s not much that sets apart the regular pork button from the pineapple one other than the fact that the pineapple one has a Mexican concha style bread covering on top.
The egg yolk buns were also very good.
However the wings were not that great they tasted all right however for $7.50 I could be sold for regular wings not what equates to two wings. I’m getting four flats for $7.50 and they’re not even crispy which is fine but the flavor is not worth. Close to $2 per “wing” it’s kind of crazy.
The atmosphere was just a bunch of people getting online so that they don’t know what they’re for there’s a cash line a card line and a line for people who already paid it seems straightforward but for most people it’s not.
You barely talk to staff. If you pay with car do you have the option of waiting outside and getting texted when your order is ready but you won’t get a text message for about an hour after your order is ready, and let’s be honest by that point your food is probably garbage because it’s just not fresh and a lot of these things need to be eaten fresh especially the wings.
Pork buns super okay probably the best spot to get them in Chinatown right now unless you know a spot that make some fresh to order other than that probably save your money $3 for a pork bun seems like quite a bit to some people personally know to me if you go here just get pork buttons don’t touch anything else on the menu I assume everything else is for tourists. And if you are a tourist and you’re reading this $7.50 is not what you should be paying for wings let alone for flats
Kymble Johnson
I came in just before the were closing, and they only had pork buns left, so I got two of them. I take it as a good sign when they run out of food.
This place is just pickup and to-go, no inside seating. The staff was friendly and pleasant. The pork bun was alright, a bit too fatty for my preference, but the bread was sweet and fluffy. I’d love to come back and try other things on their menu.
… moreThis place is just pickup and to-go, no inside seating. The staff was friendly and pleasant. The pork bun was alright, a bit too fatty for my preference, but the bread was sweet and fluffy. I’d love to come back and try other things on their menu.
Kevin Ng
I really enjoyed the Baked Roasted Pork Bun here. The bun had a delightfully flaky and slightly sweet crust, giving it a wonderful texture contrast, striking a perfect balance of flavor.
However, if I had to choose, I still prefer the Traditional Steamed Roasted Pork Bun. While the baked one was excellent, the classic steamed version—with its pillowy soft texture and equally juicy and savory filling—remains my personal favorite.
The service was super fast. I was impressed by how quickly the food was prepared and delivered.
The restaurant has a very efficient system, especially for card users. They offer a kiosk order option specifically for credit card payments, which made the whole process incredibly smooth and quick.
… moreHowever, if I had to choose, I still prefer the Traditional Steamed Roasted Pork Bun. While the baked one was excellent, the classic steamed version—with its pillowy soft texture and equally juicy and savory filling—remains my personal favorite.
The service was super fast. I was impressed by how quickly the food was prepared and delivered.
The restaurant has a very efficient system, especially for card users. They offer a kiosk order option specifically for credit card payments, which made the whole process incredibly smooth and quick.
Joseph A
I was here with my buddy today and we stopped in for a quick bite. This is one of the best roast pork buns and shumai I ever had. Interestingly the fusion Chinese food I had in Peru might still be my favorite but this was great. The roast pork was tender and sweet, and the bun was nice and soft. I would have easily devoured another one but we still had other places to try. The shumai was packed with flavor and I enjoyed those just as much.
They’re very busy as they should be, but the line moved fast. Within 2 minutes my order was taken and I got the food very fast. The roast pork bun was $2.50 and shumai was $6.50. The menu online shows $3 and $7.50 so the prices must have recently gone down or the menu is just wrong. I would definitely come back here and try the pineapple pork bun.
… moreThey’re very busy as they should be, but the line moved fast. Within 2 minutes my order was taken and I got the food very fast. The roast pork bun was $2.50 and shumai was $6.50. The menu online shows $3 and $7.50 so the prices must have recently gone down or the menu is just wrong. I would definitely come back here and try the pineapple pork bun.
CJ M
The legendary “pineapple” bbq pork bun lives up to its reputation Glad that we came early while there’s no line but it’s a treat that’s worth the wait. The bun has perfect crust, generous tasty juicy filling in a thin sweet bun roll. And the size is decently large. Also highly recommend the “Big” special bun. It’s basically a meal in large steam bun with tons of filling with pork, chicken, Veggies, Chinese sausage, even eggs. Very very tasty and a real low cost and quick power-up as a refill for touring NYC and Chinatown and nearby areas. We did not sit down and just inhaled the buns next to the shop and moved onto the next destination Overall a great visit for the bun. Totally worth the trip
… moreBrian Hah
Pineapple bun with roast pork, and baked roast pork bun is the recommended choice which is what we got. Both were fire! Be prepared to wait in line which is always a good sign.
Five stars easily and two thumbs up.
Ambiance is great by the way.
… moreFive stars easily and two thumbs up.
Ambiance is great by the way.
Debisree Ray
This is one of the most famous Chinese bakeries in Manhattan’s Chinatown, and I’d heard so much about it from food vloggers that I had to try it for myself. I went with a friend on a weekend afternoon, and even though it was later in the day, the place was still packed. We waited about 10 minutes in line, but the staff kept things moving quickly, and once we ordered, our food came right away since everything is freshly baked and ready to go.
The selection is huge, but we decided to stick with their signature items: the pineapple-crusted pork bun and the original pork bun. Both were delicious, but the pineapple version really stood out. It’s essentially the same soft, savory pork bun, but topped with a golden pineapple crust that adds a crunchy texture and a subtle sweetness—it feels like a deluxe upgrade of the classic. The original pork bun was flavorful and satisfying as well, filled generously with savory pork.
These buns work great as a snack or can easily be shared between two people. Overall, it was a fun and tasty stop, and I’d definitely come back to try more of their offerings.
… moreThe selection is huge, but we decided to stick with their signature items: the pineapple-crusted pork bun and the original pork bun. Both were delicious, but the pineapple version really stood out. It’s essentially the same soft, savory pork bun, but topped with a golden pineapple crust that adds a crunchy texture and a subtle sweetness—it feels like a deluxe upgrade of the classic. The original pork bun was flavorful and satisfying as well, filled generously with savory pork.
These buns work great as a snack or can easily be shared between two people. Overall, it was a fun and tasty stop, and I’d definitely come back to try more of their offerings.