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The master cooks are in overdrive, making the first round of baked buns and pastries before most of us wake up. A huge batch of egg custard tarts, made at 6AM, will be sold out by mid-day. Mei Lai Wah's signature buns are so delicious that during peak hours, the queue for them spills out onto the sidewalk. The most popular buns are the "Cha-Sui-Bao" (pork buns), and the "Da-Bao" (literally 'big bun'), packed with pork, Chinese sausage, mushroom and egg-guaranteed to fill you up and jump-start your day. For those with a sweet tooth, the 'Honey Bow' is a sweet, crispy, sticky dessert that deserves a taste or two.
Mei Lai Wah Coffee Tea House opened its doors over 34 years ago, and is still considered one of the best in Chinatown. It is also the only establishment in Chinatown whose work force is composed entirely of senior citizens-the oldest is 82 and has worked there for over 30 years. The ambience is nostalgic, mainly because the décor hasn't changed in 34 years. The selling points are the pastries, buns and coffee, all freshly made and constantly restocked from the bustling kitchen.
New York Times, The Rough Guide to New York City Restaurants, and invAsian Journal
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