A Homage to Emperor's Garden Bakery

A Homage to: Emperor's Garden Bakery, Chinatown Sydney NSW Australia

Taken with Canon D70 DSLR and and Sigma 30mm f1.4 lens

Hello friends! Today I wanted to talk about our beloved Emperor's Garden Bakery in Chinatown. If you grew up in Sydney, you would know that this place is an institution, operating since the 1970s. It is a simple bakery tucked just behind the Chinatown Gate on the left selling Chinese baked goods, general groceries and of course, their famous Custard Puffs. 

A week ago, the Bakery suddenly announced they were closing indefinitely, without any warning to the locals. It came as a shock and everyone wondered why.

To me, it was a must-visit when I parked at Haymarket to meet my friends in Chinatown for dinner ever since I was 18 (or allowed to start going out, I can't remember). It was just easy and reliable, no fuss. I always grabbed Cocktail buns (salty and sweet coconut filled buns - my favourite!), 'Footballs' (deep fried dough balls filled with pork mince) and BBQ Pork bun baos. Classic recipes, baked fresh daily, piled up on trays inside.

Emperor's Garden Bakery also sold custard puffs in what I would describe as 'a hole in the wall' just outside the bakery to the left.

You order at the tiny window, then wait while they are freshly made, taking them away to eat while still hot. The wait was never too long and you stood outside on the footpath devouring them down. When I used to frequent, it was like $5 for 11pcs. I unfortunately don't own any photos of the Custard Puffs window because I visited so often, I never thought to photograph it.

Just like on my friends outings, I rarely took photos of the event because we just have too much fun. We end the night still remembering all the fun times though, because well, they become core memories.

A Homage to: Emperor's Garden Bakery, Chinatown Sydney NSW Australia

Taken with Canon D70 DSLR and and Sigma 30mm f1.4 lens

We learnt today, why the bakery was shut down. I don't want to write too many details because the story and facts are still unfolding (a quick Google will fill you in), but I am saddened by the closure. It was iconic and a big part of everyone's lives who grew up in Sydney. It was the place to go to after a big night out after having your fill at Super Bowl restaurant down the road.

For these photos, I took them back in maybe 2018, 2019? Not too sure, but I pulled them out as soon as I heard the news. I edited them with big grain to give it that nostalgic film look. And I felt it suited it anyways, the store still has the classic charm like it has not changed since it had opened. Even the yellow signage at the back of the store, you can see when prices changed the staff simply stuck yellow tape over the old prices. The handwritten paper sign stuck with sticky tape was peeling, holding on. Yet despite the way the bakery looked and operated, it still remains popular and a favourite. Reading the comments on Instagram is quite wholesome and everyone feels the same. I hope that the bakery pulls through and reopens soon.

Have you visited this bakery? Tried their custard puffs? Any favourite baked goods?

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

❤︎ Natalie