Welcome to Harpers Bread House
At Harper's Bread House, nestled in the heart of Chinatown, the spirit of affordable, quality baking thrives. For decades, this charming bakery has captivated locals and visitors alike with its diverse offerings, from delicious Portuguese egg tarts to an array of flavorful onigiri rice balls. Each dish reflects a commitment to quality and value, with prices that make indulgence accessible. Diners rave about the flaky egg tarts and savory seafood rice balls, complemented by friendly, efficient service. It’s a beloved gem where every bite tells a story, inviting guests to enjoy a satisfying meal without breaking the bank.
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271 Grand St, New York, NY 10002 Hotline: (212) 226-8882
Welcome to Harper's Bread House, the unassuming gem nestled at 271 Grand St, New York, NY 10002. Within the bustling streets of Manhattan's Chinatown, this charming bakery beckons with its inviting aromas and a menu that celebrates the simplicity of well-crafted baked goods. Harper's Bread House has garnered a loyal following, well-known for its quality offerings at unbeatable prices.
Stepping inside, patrons are greeted by an array of delightful treats, from fluffy Portuguese egg tarts priced at just $1.50, to a diverse selection of onigiri rice balls featuring inventive fillings like spicy salmon, teriyaki chicken, and even an intriguing curry chicken variant. The rice balls, packed generously and often still warm, are a hands-on meal that perfectly captures the essence of casual dining in the city. The best part? Most items hover around the $2-$3 mark, making it accessible for all.
The ambiance might be modest, but the atmosphere is lively. Many regulars frequent the bakery, drawn by the tactile experience of grabbing their favorite snack and heading off to their next adventure. Customers rave about the quick service — a necessity for those on the go! You may find the staff to be brisk, yet reviews suggest a warm demeanor beneath the surface, especially if you share a few words in Chinese. It's a place where you can truly feel the comfort of community in every interaction.
- Highlights of the Menu:
- Brown Sugar Collection: An array of lattes and milks that have captured the hearts of many, from the $5 C5 Brown Sugar Oat Milk Latte to the delightful C2 Brown Sugar Milk.
- Green Tea Selections: The $5 G7 Matcha Milk Tea and G5 Rose Green Tea add floral and creamy notes, perfect for those who prefer a refreshing twist.
- Black Milk Tea: For a stronger hit of flavor, try the B5 Earl Grey Black Tea or B7 Rose Tie Guayin Tea.
- Noteworthy Reviews: The bakery has been lauded for its exceptional value and mouthwatering offerings. One satisfied customer noted the octopus salad onigiri and pumpkin sticky rice as standout choices, while another enthusiastically praised the spongy cakes and crab rice rolls at remarkable prices.
Harper's Bread House captures the spirit of Chinatown with its vibrant yet laid-back atmosphere. It’s a place where culinary traditions meet affordability and convenience. Whether you’re in for a quick pick-me-up with one of their signature lattes or indulging in a savory rice ball, each bite reflects the dedication to flavor and value. The bakery isn't just a stop for a meal; it’s a delightful experience that embodies the heart of community dining.
Next time you find yourself wandering Grand Street, make sure to pop into Harper's Bread House. With a diverse menu and a cherished reputation, it's a must-visit for any food lover looking to explore the depths of Chinatown's culinary offerings.
I always end up coming here because Wah Fung's line is too long, and I need to make it to my next appointment. For how quick the service is, and how convenient it is to carry around the onigiri for later, I am forever grateful. My favorite Onigiri's by far is the spicy eel, the spicy salmon, and the spicy tuna. I just tried the pumpkin sticky rice and it was good too! The dry pork onigiri is interesting, but not something I would get again. With how cheap everything is, it's always fun to try something new for fun. Cash-only. Also everyone mentions the service being abrasive, but I think they're actually super sweet, to the point, and well-oiled!
I honestly love this place. Everything is incredibly cheap, less than $3, yet the quality of food is amazing. Some favorites of mine include the sponge cake for $2 or the delicious crab rice roll for $2.50. The employees are often Asian aunties who are super nice if you do speak Chinese, but definitely won't exclude any English speaker. The interior is nice, fit for a small bakery. Overall, the bakery's cheap prices and amazing food definitely are highlights; fit for anyone who wants a cheap meal for around ~5.
This is my go to place to get rice balls. They have such a wide variety ranging from egg, to various proteins for such a deal. There is usually a steady line but the service is quick. Currently no seating but they usually have a few tables and chairs. It is a bakery so you can buy buns, egg tarts and the like. The star of the show is definitely the rice balls. Good for a light lunch or to go snack with stellar prices.
Since Kam Boat Bakery closed down, I struggled to find a new go-to place for Portuguese egg tarts in Chinatown. Don't get me wrong: there's plenty of excellent Portuguese egg tarts to be found in Chinatown. But some bakeries charge $2.25 per tart, which is kind of expensive. Enter Harper's Bread House, an unassuming bakery that has been around for decades and that flies a bit under the radar due to its location on the East side of Chinatown across from Grand Street that is less busy and also less touristic than main Chinatown. The Portuguese egg tarts at Harper's Bread House may be the best bang for your buck in Chinatown, as both egg tarts and Portuguese egg tarts are the same price, $1.50. The Portuguese egg tarts have a firmer, flakier crust and a lightly burnt yellow custard that is tasty and pilllowy soft. They also sell a Brazilian version of the egg tart that uses coconut, although I still prefer the Portuguese version. They also sell an amazing variety of onigiri or Japanese rice balls: Buffalo wings, bacon & egg, octopus salad, dry pork, Korean spicy spam, purple rice crab salad, purple rice eel, shrimp tempura salad, crawfish salad, Teryaki fried chicken, curry chicken, seaweed, tuna, spicy salmon, spicy tuna. All priced $2.50-$3. I'm a fan.
The rice balls are such a steal! They pack it not only with rice but actually fill it with sufficient toppings to make it a meal! My go to a are the octopus salad and the curry chicken! Bring cash since it's cash only!
Tried the egg tarts which were perfectly custardy (but still well set) and flaky! Also $1.50 a piece and the shop had several other baked goods to sample. I will be back!
Stopped in here at the end of an outing in Chinatown where my husband and I ate way too many dumplings and steamed buns. So the pastries were taken to go. I ordered several Portuguese egg tarts, a pineapple bun and a coconut tart. Eyes way bigger than stomach. When I got home and looked at my bag full of treats, I realized that's not what I got. But I was still far too full to eat anything, and considering I spent less than $10 on a pile of baked goods, I'm not mad. When I finally did eat an egg tart (not the Portuguese ones, sadly -- they didn't make it into my bag), it was quite good. Not too sweet. Nice flaky crust and the custard wasn't overly eggy. (I haven't eaten my other items yet. And even though all I really wanted was a Portugese egg tart and I didn't get that, I'm still giving this place 4 stars -- for price and taste and convenience of being the last place to hit up before hopping on the subway. I'll tackle that pineapple bun tomorrow.)
Visited for the first time since we parked the car nearby. Surprised to find a Chinese bakery store selling onigiri rice ball. We were not paying much attention until we saw many customers coming in to buy those rice balls. So we bought a few to try. We bought eel and spicy tuna, $2.75 each. Price is definitely reasonable. The rice was nice and moist. Still luke warm, packed with ingredients. I was told they made it on site. Because of the fast turnover, they are usually fresh. We also tried some other products: the iced milk tea is only $2.95, good tea flavor. Their infamous custard is $1.50. I find it nothing special. It's good, but I'm not sure about being the king of the egg custard tart. The hot coffee..... is in the trash right now. My kids enjoyed the paper wrapped cup shape cakes. They were moist and rich in egg flavor. Other pastry/ bakery items are very reasonably priced also. We will definitely return.
This place is super affordable, especially being in Manhattan Chinatown. Come here with a mindset of affordable basics and you'll be happy. It recently expanded its space to hold bubble drinks so it looks bigger inside. Some seating available but it's mostly to go. Probably one of the only Chinese bakeries to sell onigiri rice balls, don't expect it to be Japanese taste. The onigiri comes with many flavors like teriyaki chicken, curry chicken, octopus salad, etc. Line up as you walk in and one of the workers will greet you. I think they speak enough English. Overall, I would come back for affordable goods.