Mei Lai Wah

62 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013, United States
$$$ Chinese restaurant
(3015 Reviews)
Price Range $1–10

If you find yourself wandering the vibrant streets of Chinatown in New York City, one gastronomic gem you simply must visit is Mei Lai Wah. This charming Chinese restaurant, located at 62 Bayard St, is a beloved hotspot for both locals and tourists alike, renowned for its unparalleled offerings of dim sum, steamed buns, and more.

The moment you step inside Mei Lai Wah, you're enveloped in an inviting atmosphere filled with the sizzling sounds of freshly prepared delicacies and the tantalizing aromas that waft through the air. The restaurant embodies a modern yet cozy vibe, making it an ideal spot for a quick bite or a leisurely meal with friends and family.

When it comes to the menu, Mei Lai Wah shines brightest with its signature steamed buns and dim sum. The famed Pineapple Bun with Roast Pork ($3.10) is a must-try, often hailed as one of the best in the city. Its sweet, fluffy exterior is beautifully contrasted by the tender, savory pork nestled within. Patrons rave about the bun's crispy, caramelized top—it's a texture experience that you won't forget! Meanwhile, the Shumai (4 pieces for $7.50) is another standout, expertly steamed and bursting with flavor, making it a favorite for returning customers.

For those craving something crispy, the Fried Sesame Balls ($2.90) and the Swiss Style Chicken Wings ($9.00) provide the perfect crunch, delivering a delightful contrast to the restaurant's signature steamed dishes. If you're feeling adventurous, the Stuffed Fried Fritter with Beef ($8.10) showcases an exquisite balance of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds dancing.

What truly sets Mei Lai Wah apart is the commitment to quality and the rich heritage behind their recipes. Customers like Angelica rave about the efficiency and speed of the ordering process, especially if you pay with cash, which often leads to shorter wait times. In fact, many reviews highlight the restaurant's bustling energy—there's generally a line outside, but it's a testament to the delicious experience waiting inside.

Regulars like Mau Calm, who has been coming here since the 1990s, attest to the restaurant's consistent quality and cleanliness, particularly since its latest location is larger and more organized. The place fills up quickly, especially during peak hours, but it's all part of the exciting charm that Mei Lai Wah offers.

In a city brimming with culinary choices, recognizing what’s worth waiting for is an art. With mouth-watering options and a vibrant ambiance, Mei Lai Wah stands out as a definitive stop for any food lover exploring New York City’s Chinatown. Do yourself a favor and swing by for a meal that’s sure to enrich your culinary journey!

Be sure to keep some cash handy if you're in a hurry, and prepare yourself for a flavor explosion that will keep you coming back for more!

Accessibility
No wheelchair-accessible car park
No wheelchair-accessible seating
Service options
Offers delivery
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Amenities
No toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Trendy
Crowd
Popular with tourists
Planning
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid street parking
Difficult to find a space
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

8:30 AM - 7:30 PM

Tuesday

8:30 AM - 7:30 PM

Wednesday

8:30 AM - 7:30 PM

Thursday

8:30 AM - 7:30 PM

Friday

8:30 AM - 7:30 PM

Saturday

8:30 AM - 7:30 PM

Sunday

8:30 AM - 7:30 PM

3015 Reviews
Angelica Le

24 Sep 2025

Rating: 4.4/5 I've been wanting to try their Pineapple Bun with Roasted Pork ($3.10) for the longest time, but there's usually a long line whenever we pass by. This time, we came on a Tuesday around 10 AM and luckily, there was no wait. We ordered through the kiosk since we paid with credit card. The estimated wait was 20-30 minutes, but our order came out in about 5 minutes. If you pay with cash, it seems you get your food even faster. The price is amazing for the value. We ate the bun right away, and it was so good! The pineapple crust had that nice textured crisp, while the inside was soft and airy. It wasn't as sweet as I expected, which I liked. The pork filling was flavorful and generously portioned. While I really enjoyed it, I wouldn't wait more than 20-30 minutes for it.

tofu .h

20 Sep 2025

I went around during lunchtime, and there was an insane line—two lines, actually: one for cash and one for credit card payments. If you're using a card, you can place your order through the iPad. a must try was the pork bun since its been trending it's sweet but better with hotsauce for a bit kick. siomai is good too. I recommend skipping the spring roll because it has barely any filling, and the rice roll was just average too.

Kristina Kelley

04 Sep 2025

If you’re visiting or live here, you have to visit Mei Lai Wah. The pineapple pork bun is the best in the city. The bun is slightly sweet, crispy on the outside, soft and steamy in the center, and topped with a crispy, sugary, caramelized top (that only resembles pineapple skin in look, it has no pineapple, in case you’re allergic). It is filled with savory, tender pork and sauce that creates a well-balanced flavor profile. Everything is delicious and reasonably priced. You can easily grab things to walk around Chinatown with and eat or meet friends at a park for a picnic. Depending on the time of day, you may have to wait in line. Note that many people ignore the kiosk outside and the one right when you walk in. Use those to order and pay even faster. It is worth the wait if you have to. It’s always a highlight to people who are looking for something amazing while they walk through Chinatown. Please go and please tell your friends.

Linet P. (Lily)

01 Sep 2025

I first heard about this place through my boyfriend and his sister. She came on vacation and came back from NY with 2 bags of these delicious pork buns!!! I tell you one of the BEST flavors I’ve tried in my life! The buns are soft and fresh, and the pork is deliciously flavored! BRING CASH!!! Because it’s faster to pay at the end; line for cards is usually slower. (If you are in a hurry that is) PS: The buns are only $2.50 each !!!!!

ReedH

29 Aug 2025

This place is always a great stop for easy and delicious lunch. It is popular though so expect a line pretty much any time but if you have cash you can often go right up to the counter. The pineapple roast pork buns are famous for a reason - nice crust on the bun and the sweet and savory flavor combo is awesome and took me back to Shanghai. But as good as those were, I tried the fried sticky rice with chicken and that blew me away with how good it was. So definitely get a pineapple bun but it’s worth trying some of their other items too! It’s a great spot!

Taka H

23 Aug 2025

FOOD 4/5 Egg yolk bun = solid Pineapple bun w/roast pork = yum! Famous bun = delish for a plain version Baked roast pork bun = yum! SERVICE 4/5 Quick and easy, just ordered outside via iPad and picked up inside. Would I come back? Yes it's affordable, quick and overall delish!

Mau Calm

19 Aug 2025

I have been going to Mei Lai Wah since the 1990s. They are my favorite bakery in Chinatown. They have the best pork buns. The filling is not too sweet unlike the other pork buns that I had. Today I stopped by their new location. It is bigger, cleaner, and more organized. I bought tons of buns and dim sum. By the time I finished ordering, the place got packed with tourists.

Matt Kassan

14 Jul 2025

I will dream of the pineapple pork bun at Mei Lai Wah. It was that good. It is one of the most hyped dishes in Chinatown and it is totally worth the hype. One pork bun is about $3 and it is filling. Maybe order one more dish and you will spend about $10-12. This is a must stop on your Chinatown food crawl.

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