What do English custard tarts, Portuguese pastries, and Cantonese bakeries have in common?
More than you might think.
If you’ve spent any time exploring Boston’s Chinatown, you’ve probably noticed the colorful bakery displays filled with steamed buns, pastries, cakes, and other tempting treats. Among them, one pastry with a particularly fascinating history is the humble egg tart.
And naturally, we had to go down the rabbit hole.
Welcome to Egg Tart Wars. 🍮
From the Cannoli Wars to the Egg Tart Wars
Boston loves a good food rivalry. Just look at the North End, where the ongoing cannoli wars between the neighborhood’s famous pastry shops have become part of Boston food lore. Locals and visitors alike have strong opinions about who makes the best cannoli, and everyone seems to have a favorite. (Psst, ours is the Florentine Cannoli at Bova’s - come on our North End Pizza, Pasta, Pastry Tour to taste it and learn more about the neighborhood).
So we decided to put our own spin on the tradition.
Instead of debating cannoli in the North End, we’re heading into Chinatown to explore the world of egg tarts. It’s our way of celebrating another one of Boston’s incredible food neighborhoods and the delicious debates that happen when you put two great bites head-to-head.
Because if Boston can have a cannoli rivalry, why shouldn’t Chinatown have an egg tart war?
A Little Pastry With a Big History
The egg tart may seem like a simple combination of pastry and custard, but its story spans continents.
Custard tarts have a long history in England, with recipes appearing in English cookbooks as far back as the Middle Ages. Portugal developed its own iconic version, the pastel de nata, with flaky puff pastry and a rich, caramelized custard filling.
But the egg tart we know from Chinese bakeries has its own story.
Cantonese-style egg tarts, known as “daan tat,” are thought to have emerged in Guangzhou in the early 20th century, influenced in part by Western-style custard tarts. Chinese bakers adapted the concept to local tastes and techniques, eventually creating the smooth, delicate custard and pastry combination that became a staple of Cantonese bakeries and dim sum restaurants.
The story continued through Hong Kong and eventually traveled around the world, including to Boston.
Egg Custard: A Beloved Asian Sweet
Egg custard is much more than a filling for tarts. Across Asian cuisines, silky egg custard appears in all kinds of beloved sweets, from steamed custard buns, and baked pastries to puddings and other delicate desserts. Its appeal is in its simplicity: rich eggs, creamy texture, and just enough sweetness to make it satisfying without being overwhelming. In Chinese cuisine especially, custard-filled pastries and buns have long been a favorite at bakeries and dim sum restaurants, making that familiar combination of soft dough and sweet, silky custard a quintessential Chinatown treat.
So… What Makes a Good Egg Tart?
This is where things get fun.
There are different styles of egg tarts, and even within Cantonese bakeries, you’ll find variations in the crust, custard, sweetness, and texture.
Some have a flaky, layered pastry shell. Others use a more tender shortcrust. The custard might be barely sweet, rich and eggy, or incredibly silky.
There’s plenty to debate.
And while we may not be settling the egg-tart debate for you, we certainly have opinions. If you’re exploring Boston’s Chinatown and want to track down an egg tart for yourself, just ask your Bites of Boston tour guide. They’ll be happy to point you in the right direction!
And Yes, We Have Custard on the Tour
While egg tarts aren’t one of our official tour tastings, you will get to try an egg custard bun as part of our Chinatown Culture & Cuisine experience.
And that’s really what we love about Chinatown: one dish can lead you down an entire culinary rabbit hole.
You might start with a steamed bun and end up learning about centuries of culinary exchange between East and West. You might walk into a bakery you’ve passed a dozen times and discover something completely new. Or you might leave with a new favorite treat in hand.
That’s the beauty of exploring Chinatown with someone who knows the neighborhood.
Come Hungry. Leave Curious.
Our Chinatown Culture & Cuisine Tour explores the neighborhood through its food, history, and culture, introducing you to both traditional favorites and modern flavors along the way.
We’ll share the stories behind what you’re eating, introduce you to some of the local spots we love, and help you see Chinatown from a different perspective. And if our Egg Tart Wars have you craving one of your own? Just ask your guide where to find one.
Because in Chinatown, there’s always another delicious discovery waiting around the corner.
