Everything to Try at NYC’s Modern Vietnamese Bakery: Là Lá Bakeshop
Explore the standout savory and sweet specialties at Là Lá Bakeshop, NYC’s celebrated modern Vietnamese bakery in the East Village.
Everything You Should Try at NYC’s Vietnamese Bakery: Là Lá Bakeshop
As part of the Snack Shop trendwatch, we dive into Là Lá Bakeshop, a buzzworthy modern Vietnamese bakery drawing crowds in New York’s East Village. Here’s what makes it special, and a guide for what to order if you love inventive pastries and unique flavors.
The Story Behind Là Lá Bakeshop
Founded by Brian Tran and Harry Pham, Là Lá Bakeshop originates from Canada and has delighted patrons with its bold Vietnamese flavors throughout Ontario. Their New York debut brings a fresh take on traditional and innovative Southeast Asian pastries and drinks, emphasizing salted egg yolk, pork floss, and vibrant ingredients like pandan and taro. The bakery’s decor—a sunlit space awash in yellow hues—is a nod to the salted egg, a star ingredient in their lineup.
“Là lá” means “it’s a leaf” in Vietnamese, and the bakery’s golden ginkgo leaf logo signifies Asian roots blossoming in North America.
Why Là Lá Stands Out
- Modern reinterpretations of Vietnamese favorites with inspiration from both sweet and savory traditions.
- Inventive use of ingredients like salted egg, taro, coconut pandan, pork floss, and matcha, bringing balance and nuance to every bite.
- Atmosphere: A line often wraps the block on weekdays, but the warm, welcoming service and inventive flavor profiles are worth the wait.
- Inclusive menu addressing diverse palates, including those who crave less sweetness balanced by gentle salty or umami undertones.
The Snacks: What to Order at Là Lá Bakeshop
Là Lá Bakeshop’s pastries are as visually appealing as they are delicious. Below, we break down their can’t-miss specialties—focused on savory star players, with a few sweet surprises.
1. Salted Cream Iced Coffee
If you appreciate Vietnamese coffee—rich, intense, and just a touch sweet—this is a must-try. Là Lá’s best-selling drink features an iced latte base, crowned with a generous topping of salty sea salt cold foam and a flourish of cocoa powder.
Why you’ll love it: The interplay of creamy salt, bold coffee, and sweet undertone is reminiscent of both Vietnamese favorites and Cuban café versions. It’s bracing, energizing, and extremely popular.
- Pro tip: Pair it with a savory bun to amp up the experience.
2. Salted Egg Lava Bun
A leading signature of Là Lá Bakeshop, the Salted Egg Lava Bun is a tender milk bread bun filled with a savory-sweet molten salted egg sauce, then topped with pork floss. Each bite delivers the perfect contrast between the pillowy bun, the luscious, salty yolk filling, and the umami of pork floss.
Texture and flavor: Like the best breakfast sandwich, but Southeast Asian: sweet bread with a runny, deeply flavorful center.
- For adventurous eaters: Don’t shy away if you haven’t tried pork floss or salted egg—these flavors win over many new fans.
- If runny yolk fillings aren’t your preference, consider trying other buns instead, but the salted egg lava is a house specialty for a reason.
3. Butter Garlic Cream Cheese Bun
This savory bun is a standout for anyone who adores a good biscuit. The base: soft, buttery bread, filled generously with garlic cream cheese and portioned into petite slices perfect for sharing.
- Flavor notes: Tangy, creamy, and deeply aromatic from the garlic—designed with biscuit lovers and fans of savory pastries in mind.
- The dough can tend toward dryness, but the rich filling more than compensates. If bakery biscuits and Japanese cheese breads appeal to you, this delivers.
4. Taro Lava Bun
A visual and taste delight, the Taro Lava Bun is a two-bite wonder filled with lush, house-made taro cream encased in soft purple-tinged dough. Carefully balanced, this treat brings out the natural, nutty sweetness of taro without overwhelming sugar.
- Great for those who prefer gentler sweetness in their pastries.
- Texture: Pillowy, with a smooth creamy filling.
5. Other Notable Savory & Sweet Offerings
While the bakeshop shines with the items above, several menu staples and seasonal picks are worth your attention as well:
- Scallion & Cured Sausage Bun: Nostalgic for many, this features sweet and savory custard, pork floss, scallion, and lap xuong (Chinese cured sausage).
- Salted Egg Croissant: Flaky French pastry with Southeast Asian flair, packed with rich salted egg yolk sauce.
- Crème Brûlée Lava Bun: A pillowy milk bun with a velvety, vanilla-scented filling worthy of its French inspiration.
- Matcha Lava Bun: Infused with premium Japanese matcha and a creamy, earthy green filling.
- Pistachio Lava Bun: Slathered inside and out with fresh pistachio cream—aromatic and nutty.
6. Mini Cakes and Chiffon Creations
Là Lá’s modern Vietnamese cakes blend chiffon, sticky rice, creamy toppings, and Southeast Asian infusions:
| Cake | Description |
|---|---|
| Coconut Pandan Sticky Rice | Pandan chiffon layered with coconut sauce, sticky rice, and toasted coconut flakes. |
| Taro Sticky Rice | Chiffon cake layered with taro-scented sticky rice, taro cream, purple yam powder. |
| Durian Chiffon Cake | Pandan chiffon with a creamy, real-fruit durian filling. For connoisseurs of Southeast Asian flavors. |
| Matcha Pandan Tiramisu | Lush tiramisu with pandan-dipped ladyfingers, mascarpone, and premium matcha. |
| Vietnamese Coffee Tiramisu | Classic tiramisu reimagined with strong Vietnamese coffee. |
Dietary Considerations
Là Lá Bakeshop strives to inform customers about ingredient content, but be aware:
- Contains dairy & eggs: All cakes and breads include these.
- Contains gluten: Wheat flour is a main ingredient.
- Nuts: Some products (especially cakes) may contain peanuts or other nuts; cross-contamination is possible.
- Meat in savory buns: Pork sausage and pork floss figure in several savory bakes.
- Gelatin: Some seasonal offerings may contain gelatin.
Location, Hours & Practical Info
- Address: 73 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
- Hours: Mon: Closed, Tue–Thu: 11am–8pm, Fri–Sun: 11am–9pm
- Preorders: Birthday cakes and larger orders can be preordered online; daily snacks are walk-in only.
- Contact: (646) 705-2774, nyc@lalabakeshop.com
Final Thoughts: Is Là Lá Worth the Hype?
The combination of inventive flavor mashups, welcoming atmosphere, and consistent quality makes Là Lá Bakeshop a gem in NYC’s pastry landscape. Despite viral moments and weekday queues, the bakery remains an underrated destination that delivers on both flavor and creativity—salty, sweet, or both.
Whether you’re a devotee of Vietnamese coffee, a fan of runny yolks and pork floss, or just in search of something unique for brunch, Là Lá is worth the visit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the most popular item at Là Lá Bakeshop?
A: The Salted Egg Lava Bun and the Salted Cream Iced Coffee are customer favorites, often selling out during busy hours.
Q: Are the pastries very sweet?
A: No, most items are intentionally less sweet than typical Western desserts, with a focus on balanced flavor and subtle saltiness.
Q: Can I preorder baked goods or cakes?
A: Whole cakes (such as birthday cakes) can be preordered online, but snack items like buns and croissants are available for walk-in customers only.
Q: Are there options for people with nut allergies?
A: Là Lá Bakeshop is not a nut-free environment. Some items contain peanuts, and cross-contamination is possible.
Q: Is there seating available?
A: The bakery has modest seating, but many customers take their pastries to go, especially during peak hours.
