Golden Steamer Introduce
In the bustling, sensory-rich streets of New York City's Chinatown, a food scene that is both deeply traditional and constantly evolving thrives. Golden Steamer, a beloved bakery on Mott Street, is a prime example of a place that has mastered a simple craft and earned a loyal following for it. Unlike a traditional sit-down restaurant, Golden Steamer operates with a laser focus on one thing: creating delicious, authentic Chinese steamed buns. This straightforward business model has made it a go-to spot for locals and a must-visit for anyone looking for a quick, affordable, and deeply satisfying snack or breakfast. While its appearance may be unassuming, as one reviewer noted, the quality and value of the food speak for themselves. The bakery is a testament to the fact that you don't need a fancy space to deliver incredible flavor. For many New Yorkers, Golden Steamer represents a comforting slice of local life, a place to grab a freshly steamed bun that is just as good, or even better, than the ones you can get from a full-service dim sum restaurant.
Golden Steamer has cultivated a reputation based on its commitment to its core product. The bakery is known for its wide variety of steamed buns, each one crafted to be soft, fluffy, and perfectly balanced. The focus on quality is evident in customer reviews, where patrons often mention the freshness of the buns and their ability to be reheated at home without losing their texture. This is a key detail for those who buy in convenient prepackaged boxes to enjoy later. The business model is designed for a "quick visit," which perfectly suits the fast-paced life of New York City. You can walk in, select your favorite buns from a steaming hot box, and be on your way in minutes. The affordable price point is another significant draw. In a city where a meal can easily cost a small fortune, Golden Steamer offers a chance to enjoy high-quality food at an incredibly low price, making it accessible to everyone. This combination of speed, quality, and value makes Golden Steamer an iconic part of the Chinatown food scene and a true urban gem.
Golden Steamer is strategically located at 143A Mott St, New York, NY 10013, USA. Mott Street is a central artery of Chinatown, known for its vibrant atmosphere and endless array of shops and eateries. The bakery’s location makes it highly accessible from many parts of downtown Manhattan. It is a short walk from several key subway stations, including the Canal Street station, which serves a variety of lines (N, Q, R, W, J, Z, 6). This connectivity makes Golden Steamer a convenient stop for commuters, residents, and tourists exploring the neighborhood. The "little shop on a busy street full of shops" atmosphere described by a customer adds to the authentic Chinatown experience. The bakery operates with a focus on takeaway, which is ideal for its location. The area's dense foot traffic means that customers can easily grab a bag of buns to enjoy while they continue their exploration of the neighborhood. The convenience of its location is a major factor in its popularity and makes it a quick and easy destination for a delicious bite.
Golden Steamer's service model is built around efficiency and simplicity, catering to customers who want to enjoy delicious food on the go.
- Takeout: The primary service offered is takeout. The bakery is designed for a fast, in-and-out experience, allowing customers to quickly grab their desired buns and other items. Many customers buy the prepackaged boxes of six buns to steam at home, which is a testament to the convenience and quality of the product.
- Breakfast Offerings: While the bakery is a great spot for a snack at any time of day, it's particularly known for its breakfast offerings. The steamed buns are a perfect, warm start to the day. The "Hot Single Steamed Bun" menu is a key part of their breakfast appeal.
- Diverse Payment Options: Unlike some other local establishments, Golden Steamer is not strictly cash-only. While cash is accepted, it also takes SNAP/EBT payments, making it an accessible option for a wider range of customers.
- Beverage Offerings: The bakery offers a selection of hot and cold drinks, including coffee, H.K. Style Tea, and Ovaltine. These beverages are the perfect complement to their steamed buns, providing a complete, on-the-go meal.
The entire service experience at Golden Steamer is designed to be quick, efficient, and hassle-free, which is precisely what many New Yorkers look for in a local food spot.
Golden Steamer stands out for several key features and highlights that have earned it a reputation as a local gem.
- Incredibly Inexpensive: A major highlight is the low cost of the food. With single steamed buns priced as low as $0.80, Golden Steamer offers incredible value for money. One reviewer was "shocked at the steal" of buying five buns for less than $12.
- Specialized in Steamed Buns: The bakery's specialization in steamed buns allows it to focus on perfecting its craft. The buns are freshly made, with fillings that, while not always abundant, are praised for being "very sweet" and having a good flavor balance with the soft bread. Favorites include the custard, pumpkin, and roast pork buns.
- Freshness and Quality: Customers frequently note the freshness of the buns, often seeing condensation in the prepackaged boxes. The ability to reheat the buns at home and have them "soft and fluffy like the first day" is a testament to their quality.
- Variety of Fillings: The menu offers a great selection of both sweet and savory fillings, including classic "Roast Pork Bun" and "Red Bean Bun," as well as unique options like "Salted Egg Yolk Bun" and "Pork And Vegetable Bun."
- Casual and Accessible: The simple, no-frills environment and the focus on takeout make it an easy and non-intimidating place to visit. It's a true neighborhood spot that fits into the daily routine of locals.
For any inquiries or to simply find the place, the contact information is straightforward. The phone number is available for any questions, and the address is the key to finding this local treasure. Note that while they accept SNAP/EBT, having cash on hand is always a good idea when visiting local spots.
Address: 143A Mott St, New York, NY 10013, USA
Phone: (212) 226-1886
Mobile Phone: +1 212-226-1886
Why is Golden Steamer worth choosing? For a true New Yorker, it’s all about the combination of authenticity, affordability, and convenience. Golden Steamer delivers on all three fronts. Its specialization in freshly made steamed buns means you're getting a product that the business has perfected over time. The prices are unbeatable, making it a go-to for a delicious and satisfying meal that is easy on the wallet. The takeout-only model is a bonus, allowing you to grab a quick snack and continue on your busy day without a long wait. While some reviews may have mixed opinions on the bun-to-filling ratio, many appreciate this balance, particularly with the very sweet fillings. The ability to purchase buns in bulk and steam them at home is a fantastic feature for locals who want to have this delicious comfort food ready at a moment's notice. In a city of endless options, Golden Steamer stands out as an honest, no-nonsense bakery that provides excellent value and authentic flavor, making it a golden choice for any New Yorker in search of a perfect steamed bun.
Golden Steamer Food & drink
Cold Drinks
- Iced Coffee $2.00
- Iced Lemon with Honey $3.00
- H.K. Style Tea $2.50
- Ovaltine $2.50
- Iced Lemon Coke $2.00
Hot Single Steamed Bun
- Plain Steam Bun $0.80
- Roast Pork Bun $0.90
- Salted Egg Yolk Bun $1.00
- Red Bean Bun $0.90
- Pork And Vegetable Bun $1.00
Golden Steamer Details
Service options
- Takeout
- Delivery
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Cash-only
- SNAP/EBT
Golden Steamer Photos










Golden Steamer Location
Golden Steamer Reviews
pork bunspumpkin bunssteamed bunscustard bunred beansalted egg bunroast porkbaked char siu baoratioso delicious
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Golden Steamer/Roast Pork Egg Bun:This pork bun was not fun to consume because there was too much bread and too little pork. At least the pigeons enjoyed feasting over the leftover bun.
July 21 · Jeff T. CriticI stumbled upon this little bakery as it was across the street from my favorite Chinese grocery store. It's a tiny shop on a busy street full of shops. It's a pretty generic looking bakery so you can easily walk past and miss it. The place specializes in all sorts of steamed buns. I visited a few times and bought several different ones. I always buy the convenient prepackaged box of 6 buns to steam at home. They are freshly made, and I often see condensation inside the lid. You don't need a fancy bamboo steamer to reheat at home either! I use a trivet inside a low stock pot and the buns heat up wonderfully! They come out soft and fluffy like the first day! Notably, there is more bun to filling. However, the fillings are very sweet, so I think the ratio is on point! My favorites include the pumpkin, custard, and roast pork buns. The buns are very inexpensive too for the quality!
February 21 · JenniferStaff was super nice and explained what each bun was. There's no seating, but we stood to the side to try out the buns.The buns were very soft and had the right amount of moisture, not soggy at all. The filling was flavorful.We ended up getting three boxes for about $20!
December 10 · Amara VI know this place got kind of popular online so I was expecting to have to shell out a little more than you do at some of the “underground” places. I was pleasantly surprised; I bought 5 buns and the total was like 8-12$ (I forgot the number but remember my shock at the steal). Not only was the food super cheap, it was also really good! I’m a fan of lean cuts of meat and normally compromise when I get a roast pork bun, but there was only 1-2 big chunks of fat. I also got the chicken bun and that was great as well. The red bean bun I liked less—definitely not sweet enough for my western tastes 😅.
March 26 · Beatrice Evans4.4 stars. Reasonably priced boxed take to take home stuffed buns. The bun is very light and fluffy. The red roast pork filling was a good amount and the taste was pretty good. We liked the smaller, slightly sweet, baked, 8-to-a-box, red roast pork buns better because of the higher meat to bun ratio. I tried the salted egg custard bun for the first time and it was pretty good. Comparable to Go Believe Bakery on Grand, which always has a consistent amount of meat but less airy bun.
March 04 · Linda M
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