Honey Bakery

I was referred to try this place out by a friend after mentioning how I love chinese baked pork stuffed buns. I stopped off here on my lunch break one day and picked a couple up to try. First I didn’t realize that they were cash only but luckily it happened to be a rare occasion where I had a couple of bucks on me. Next time I will know to get cash first because their buns were definitely worth it. I loved them. They were just as I had remembered from previous places several years ago. I’ll be stopping back by here again to pick up a larger order and to try out some more of they delicious looking selections. After stopping iff at the ATM of course to make sure i have enough money for a full testing order of several options.

This review is based on a local Asian bakery. It’s staffed by the owner and I think, his wife. There’s no way they can compete with a franchise or large bakery in California. That said, it’s still a little gem tucked away in a small strip mall off Keystone and 5^th street. While most people that visit, get the traditional cha siu bao (bbq pork bun), the secret is that this place has the best cakes ever. Nothing is old or premade. Cakes have to be ordered 24 hours in advance but it’s fluffy and guilt free tasting, so it’s oh so worth it. Our family always order their cakes for all occasions. If you don’t have time or need to order a whole cake, then their pastries will do and those too, are never old. If they run out, they run out. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow for a fresh batch, so get there early!

Honey Bakery… Will you marry me? Some of the BEST buns in town! Delicious semi sweet buns covering a variety of fillings like curry, mushroom, BBQ pork, ham and onion, pineapple, coconut etc. Theres too many to name, their all delicious! Roughly $ 1.50 a bun, grab a couple bags full, eat some now, eat some later, store in the fridge for tomorrow. They have sweet and savory buns, desserts, boba and they make customs cakes as well. The staff are very nice, there isn’t any seating here, so you take it to go. The display cases show you all the yummy offerings they have. They have other little bagged cookies and breads as well. I have been coming here for years and have never been disappointed, only when their closed.

4.5
I’m updating my review. The pork buns were pretty not fully inside, it was only in the middle side. But the taste still pretty dang good. Mostly bread, pretty disappointing.
The only thing is good was the bread which topping on top is the best! The egg custard was yummy.
Service was always nice & friendly.

Even though that they are the only Chinese bakery in town, they do not lack in freshness and quality of product. I’ve had many of their buns (during a period of time and also at one sitting). The char siu bao has a good mix of BBQ pork and the veggies. The bun is slightly sweet, soft and light to eat. Another bun I like to get is the curry chicken bun, similar to the char siu bao, the bun itself is light and soft. The filling has a little bite of spicy since it is curry, the chicken is tender and full of curry flavor. This time I tried the green tea su, which is consistent with a filo type of pastry with green tea filling. The pastry is flaky and lightly sweeten. I’m already planning my next visit! I saw that they have a juice bar, I’ll have to ask next time if they have boba. I’m excited just thinking about!

It’s the best Chinese buns I’ve had in Reno. I always get their curry buns and their BBQ pork buns. Their stuff always sells out fast so go early in the day, it also tastes sooooooo good when it’s fresh. Their boba isn’t the best I’ve had but it’s still really tasty :3.

Ordered a cake from here a couple of times, it was very good, and their prices are not bad either! Highly recommended!

My favorite place for my Chinese bun fix. They have both savory and sweet: Bbq pork/​dry pork, chicken curry/​chicken mushroom, taro and creamy milk bun just to list of few of my favorites. They also serve boba and make cakes. I have yet to try their cakes because I make my own, but one day in the near future I will. Each bun ranges from $ 1.25 to $ 1.75. If there is a specific bun you want, I suggest getting there early or calling ahead, the owner is nice enough he’ll reserve buns for me, but when I go I have to leave with a box!

The mark of a great city, in my book, rests in the presence of a solid Chinese bakery. Blessed be Honey Bakery for keeping me a believer in Reno’s food scene.
My metrics for Asian bakeries typically hone in on the quality of tarts, buns, rolls, and cakes (in that order via personal preference); this place does them all solidly well. I’ve found that the tarts, egg and coconut as per standard Asian offerings, are a little inconsistent as they’ve ranged from decent to exceptional in the few times I’ve stopped by. Not a hard and fast complaint by any means as the tarts are always satisfying, but it definitely stops me just short of really raving about this place. The buns are also pretty good, pork and taro in particular. They come in a LOT of different flavors to suit really any kind of hankering. Honey’s great at offering quality in sweet AND savory.
Needing a quick moon cake fix? Pick up some black bean treats. For Taro lovers, I’d definitely suggest the taro swirls; great bite. Ham and onion buns are a surprising delight. They also have boba/​bubble tea for those that like it. Everything else is pretty standard from my experience, and I usually hold off on getting larger rolls since I get my fix of Cali’s Chinese bakeries every few months anyway. Even still, super glad to have a great place so close to home. Honey Bakery’s definitely a solid spot for sweet tooths and meaty hunger pangs alike.
NOTABLE: their tarts and buns are typically the quickest to sell out on a daily basis. On a busier day, you’d be hard pressed to get a box full of much past mid afternoon — swing by sooner than later if you’re fixing to pick up a batch for the week!

They may stay open til 7PM, but don’t let that fool you, theres no reason to go in the late afternoon or evening. I was in town and was told about the pork buns here so I decided to go at least once. That didn’t work out since it took 2 visits to actually get something. I went at 3PM the first time and all that was left was 1 coconut bun. I hate coconut so I left empty handed with the hopes of trying my luck the next day. The next day I got there by noon and luckily there was still some available. I grabbed the pork bun, curry chicken, and ham/​green onions.
I barely made it back to the car before biting into that still warm pork bun. Real soft othere shell with fairly generous size pieces of pork for the price. It was up there with some of the better pork buns ive had. The other two were tasty as well, but I saved them for breakfast the next day. I’m sure it would of been even better fresh, but the next day warmed in a toaster oven were still good. The price is hard to beat.

If you are looking for some yummy Chinese treats or an authentic Chinese fruit filled cake, this is THE place to go in Reno! Make sure that you don’t wait too late in the day for the buns, etc. They are made fresh daily and they fly out the door. Cakes are custom made and must be ordered ahead of time. If you miss the cakes from LA’ s famous Phoenix Bakery, this it the place to get your fix!

This place is freakin amazing! The owners are so nice and such hard workers, and are always pumped when I come in and order all of the chicken curry rolls. Honestly though, the chicken curry rolls are amazing!!! They have amazing boba tea too. Definitely give this place a try! Cheap and delicious snacks that are a great alternative to any of the «fast food» on this side of town.

Favorite place to get our bun fix! Highly recommend the onion and ham buns and the egg custard buns. Also great milk tea!

Hand made Bubble Tea with fresh fruit every time! It’s perfect! Not like the other place the use artificial flavors and powder. Love it! I come here every time I come to Reno! Also, the bakery goods are amazing, it’s a traditional Asian bakery like the ones in Chinatown NYC!

I’m surprised to have found Chinese buns in Reno. It really is the biggest little city.
I’m from San Francisco and Chinese bakeries are plentiful so I’ve had some really great buns.
Note: their buns taste best warm. If you have left overs, pop them in the microwave for 20 – 30 sec each.
Store them in Ziploc bags to keep the moisture in and the paper lining easily comes off while the buns are warm. When cold, the paper lining is hard to completely take off.
First of all, the bread on most of their buns is super fluffy and just the right thickness. This bread, makes up for mediocre filling. Though their filling is tasty, it is on the starchy side. They coat their buns with a bit of sweetness so if you’re going to chow down on them right away, make sure you have wet naps handy.
My absolute favorite is the ham, corn, and green onion bun. It’s perfection!!! It’s actually the best I’ve ever had. The filling is flavorful and in generous portion and the bread is just the right amount. Other bakeries can’t seem to get the portions right with this bun.
Another bun I suggest is the dry pork bun, a bun filled with dehydrated pork. It’s a Chinese ingredient so you’ll have to try it out to know what in talking about. I’m not talking about dried pork as in pork jerky.
I also tried the BBQ pork, it was just avg. I wouldn’t get it again. The curry bun is also avg. I would stay away from the tuna bun. It’s weird and too sweet.
On the sweet side, the taro bun is rich and yummy and egg custard tart, I’m not a fan of. I’m used to a richer custard and a more of a buttery shortbread kind of crust. Their crust is more like puff pastry.
For being the only Chinese bakery here, I’m impressed. I will definitely be back. My Chinese husband is going to be so happy when I bring these buns home to him.
They also have a variety of fresh baked soft fluffy loaves of bread, a wide range of cakes to order for special occasions, and other misc Chinese items like sesame balls, mung beans cakes, moon cakes, Napoleon’s, cookies, and soft mocha and fruit rolls (like pound cake).

Yummy yummy pastries! I ordered 4-​egg custard tarts, 1-​pineapple buns, 1-​cream milk buns, 2-​BBQ pork buns and a chicken bun. All this for $ 10!!!
The egg custard tarts were okay. Not what I was expecting. It was almost pudding like. The cream milk bun, delicious! So soft and so sweet. The BBQ Pork Bun was delicious. I’d order more of these and probably will before I leave town.
I’ll be back!!! :D

I came here roughly 30mins before they were closing, so there wasn’t much of a selection left.
–Pork Bun was ok. Compared to the Bay’s standards, it’s just ok. Though, for Reno’s standards I’d say it’s good. The pork was seasoned nicely, bun wasn’t stale and it had a good medium texture. The BF said it could’ve used a little more meat (though he’s just a piggy).
–Taro Pastry is a little dense, the flavor is not too over whelming, overall ok.
–Tiramisu was actually wasn’t what I was expecting. I thought this was a soft pastry, instead it was firm and flaky. It’s not bad, but not what I like. Doesn’t taste like tiramisu, just light cream.
–Egg Tart is really good. Not too sweet, just the perfect amount of sweet and savory. The crust was nice and flaky. When you bit into it, it didn’t crumble everywhere. And, not at all oily or soggy.
Overall I’d come back, mainly for the egg tarts and probably to try out their durian cakes.

Being from Oakland, I have a lot of places to get Chinese BBQ Pork Buns, both steamed and the baked variety along with all kind of dim sum items. But here in Reno, there is only one place, and that’s Honey Bakery in west Reno off Keystone Ave. The shop is located way in the back of this weirdly layed out shopping center at 5^th and Keystone.
I read these reviews complaining of the rude service from the guy behind the counter. It might be a cultural thing, or it just may be the person walking in the door causing the reaction. I’ve found if you are civil and nice and smile at people, they’ll be nice back. I have not once ever had unfriendly service from Honey Bakery. They guy is always friendly and willing to answer any questions I had. You want rude service, go down to any Chinatown and and fight in line with the little old ladies holding a bag with some live (not for long) animal in it.
The baked BBQ pork buns are my fave here, but they also have buns with all kinds of other fillings in them like chicken, ham and some weirder Chinesy lotus or bean paste thingys. I do like the custard tarts here. It’s the best Chinese bakery you’re gonna get without going over the hill to Sacramento. Now, the pork buns may not be the best when compared to Chinatown, but I glad they are here in Reno, so if I move here, I won’t be with out these tasty treats. The filling in these buns is more like pulled pork in consistency and texture, whereas the ones from Oakland are more of a chopped pork and have a more BBQ flavor to the meat, like little charred bits. The bread part of the bun here is sweeter than the buns in Oakland. I’m still glad to have it! The price has risen somewhat, recently. For years, the meat filled buns were $ 1.00 each, then within the last year it went to $ 1.25 and today it was $ 1.50 per bun. Food costs go up and a business has to do what it has to do. We got a box of 10 buns for the weekend. They make a super nice snack anytime. The buns are sold warm right out of the warmer case. Ready to eat on the spot! They’ll keep for a couple of days in a plastic bag. You can warm them with 30 seconds in the microwave per bun. I just know we’ll eat right through those 10 buns over the weekend. I feel like munching on one right now! If you haven’t tried these in Reno, give it a try! If you are just visiting from the Bay Area, just wait till you get home to eat some BBQ pork buns. Visa and MC are taken here as well as cash.

This is definitely the place to go if you are looking for Asian buns. They have a great selection and every baked good that I have tried was pretty good. It definitely wasn’t the best I’ve ever had, but it is the best place for Asian buns that I have found in Reno so far.
Unfortunately, I was really let down with the drink that I ordered. I probably will never order a drink again. The «fresh» boba had a really weird taste and texture and the drink itself was made using a magic bullet blender which left it very icy and not all that flavorful.

Hey you know what? I don’t really care if the guy behind the counter is brusk — my opinion is most bakery counter clerks are not very friendly… Its only uncomfortable the 1^st time — I know what to expect now… They have something I want — and I’m willing to deal with the attitude to get it… my choice.
I find myself in the Keystone Shopping Center frequently in the evening when attending a performance at the Nell J. Redfield Performing Arts Center — hence Baked Goods are not what I’m looking for — but on a recent trip to Sacramento, my breakfast neglected daughter reminded me we should grab a bite to eat before we head over the hill…
So we’ve been here a couple times now and found that several of the items we wanted shown in the display case were not available — possibly a good sign that they are popular, so looking forward to coming earlier next time to get in on the goods.
We tried several items: Ham +Corn bun & Ham+Green Onion were both delicious and my faves. Daughter will have to do her own review…
Unfortunately, the prettily pre-​packaged shortbread in bags was a little stale…
Will be back with an update next time we go…