LeLeCha New York

Update Review, December 2025

Last summer, a friend checked out Lelecha soon after they first opened, and brought me day-old pieces of everything she got.  I was impressed then, even with day-olds, so I was excited to try more items.

This time, I got to try all three of the danish tarts they make: the butter caramel egg tart I had previously, plus the chocolate and tiramisu versions.  I remain impressed, and can't wait to try even more of the menu.

Butter Caramel Egg Tart. $6.30.

"Crafted with a rich 1:1.8 egg-to-milk ratio, the custard center is exceptionally silky and smooth. Hand-laminated pastry ensures long-lasting crispness, while the caramel sauce is slow-cooked by hand for deep, layered flavor."

This is the item I'd had before, but was more than happy to have again.

The custard really is what sets it apart.  Sooo silky smooth.  Barely eggy.  Beautifully burnt on top.  The large tart size means you get tons of custard filling, it is like eating an entire crème brûlée (... along with a nice pastry).  No notes really.  The flaky pastry shell is a nice vessel for it.

4/5, higher end.

Chocolate Tart. $7.25.

"Dusted with a thick layer of cocoa powder, this tart features a crisp, airy crust and a pudding-like custard center. Topped with rich dark chocolate and handcrafted chocolate crisps, it delivers deep, satisfying indulgence in every bite."

Next up, the chocolate sibling to the fantastic butter caramel egg tart I've enjoyed before.  Same flaky crust surrounding an oversized custard filling, this time a chocolate version, with plenty of cocoa powder and dark chocolate curls on top.  (Beware of the cocoa powder and accidentally inhaling, lol.)

I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this as I do like chocolate desserts, but tend to not care for chocolate cheesecakes and similar things.

Except ... well, this wasn't a chocolate custard as I expected.  The filling was just the same egg custard, just smothered in cocoa powder.  I did love the chocolate curls, but, this wasn't really a dessert that delivered in the chocolate indulgence department, if that is what you are looking for.  For a "chocolate tart", really this gets a 3/5 or lower, but, that custard really is so good I didn't mind once I reset my expectations, so still a 4/5 overall.

Tiramisu Tart. $7.25.

"Infused with a signature coffee aroma, this tart offers a rich, multi-layered flavor experience. The handmade pastry is paired with a velvety cheese and egg custard center—together creating an indulgent, lava-like burst of creamy richness in every bite."

And finally, the tiramisu version.  

And ... yeah, this too was the same base egg custard (so good, but not tiramisu infused or anything), but then it did come topped with thick, rich, presumably mascarpone cream AND ladyfingers AND yes, tons of cocoa powder.  I didn't taste any coffee though, so not very tiramisu forward, but it was definitely the most unique of the tarts, and had so much at play: flaky pastry, silky egg custard, thick rich cream, light ladyfingers.

I really enjoyed this, even higher 4/5.  

Original Review, August 2025

I have wonderful friends.  Like ones who scope out new Asian bakeries, get more goodies than they can possibly eat, and bring me some to try.  In this case, from LeLeCha, a Taiwanese bubble tea and baked goods shop that recently opened in the US, with its first location in New York in July.

"Get ready for an extraordinary tea & pastry experience, where East meets West in every bite and sip.  From iconic Dirty Buns to artisan tea creations — we’re bringing something truly special to the streets of New York."

LeLeCha does focus on the tea side of things, as you'd probably guess from their name, but both my friend and I were drawn to their Asian baked goods.  The lineup includes sweet and savory breads, loaves, buns, a few other danish style pastries.  I got to try one item from each of the Toasts, Breads & Buns, and Danishes sections of the menu.  I did try them a day old, so, I try to take that into account, but they were still fantastic, and I'm sure even better a day sooner.  I'd gladly have more goodies from this place anytime.

Branding.

The goodies came in a Wonder branded box, which I'm not entirely sure I understand.  The brand is LeLeCha, but they have "Wonder" scattered about their materials too.  And no clue what the dog thing is about.  But it was a distinctive box!

Buttery Cloud Loaf, Dirty Bun,
Butter Caramel Egg Tart (all pieces).

My friend brought me a sampler box of hunks of each of the items she got.  These are just the small pieces that she saved me, which still filled up a full box!  Most of the items are quite large in full form.

Buttery Cloud Loaf.  $8.49.

"Wheat flour and butter are thoroughly mixed and kneaded for a soft, fluffy texture. The homemade milk custard filling adds creamy sweetness, making every bite tender and rich."

The one right in front is the buttery cloud loaf.  Such a soft and fluffy loaf!  It was lightly sweet in the way that most Asian sweet breads are, and the custard filling was just the right amount of creamy goodness inside.  I really enjoyed it just as a snack, ripping off pieces of the soft fluffy bread, and I think it would be great for breakfast too.  I imagine you could toast or warm it, but I didn't find that necessary.  Very simple, but very enjoyable.  High 4/5.

They also make a loaf in a chocolate version (with cocoa-hazelnut filling and dark chocolate glaze), one with azuki red beans and pork floss (!), another one with coconut milk filling and coffee crumble topping, and a more plain one.

Dirty Bun. $8.49.

"Flaky pastry filled with rich chocolate cream, topped with a layer of green matcha powder."

Next is the dark one, the dirty bun. 

The bread itself had reasonable cocoa flavor, not super dark, but definitely chocolatey, and was standard Asian style slightly sweet bread.  As a day-old, it was a touch stale, but I can't blame them for that.  The chocolate cream filling was fantastic, great chocolate pudding flavor, and it added the strong hit of chocolate I was looking for.  The shards of dark chocolate that flaked off the top were high quality and delightful too.  4/5, good execution of a chocolate cream bun.

They also make a matcha version of this.

Butter Caramel Egg Tart. $4.99.

"Crafted with a rich 1:1.8 egg-to-milk ratio, the custard center is exceptionally silky and smooth. Hand-laminated pastry ensures long-lasting crispness, while the caramel sauce is slow-cooked by hand for deep, layered flavor."

And finally, hiding in the back, a hunk of the egg tart, which is nothing like any egg tart I've ever had before.  In fact, I had to search through the menu, and ask my friend who got it what this was, as it didn't seem possible it was the egg tart.  But it was.  And, she said it was massive, this was just a tiny hunk.  But if you had asked me what it was, I would have told you a creme brulee inside a croissant/danish crust.  

So yeah, what we had was a thick laminated pastry base, formed into a shell.  It wasn't flaky exactly, perhaps as it was a day old, but it was very well laminated, and clearly high butter.  The flavor was fabulous.  A very good pastry, just on its own.

But that filling!  Zomg.  Such a rich custard.  I guess, yes, an 1:1.8 egg to milk ratio does it as they say.  It was so thick and rich.  But not eggy at all. Sweet but not too sweet.  Really, really fantastic.  

Put it all together, and this one just hit all the high marks.  I think my favorite of the items I tried, and definitely the most dessert-like, 4.5/5.