Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes

Bakery · Chinatown

Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes

Bakery · Chinatown

2

263 Canal St B, New York, NY 10013

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Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by Infatuation - Reviews
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null
Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes by null

Highlights

For over 30 years, Ling's in Chinatown has been dishing out irresistible mini sweet cakes that blend nostalgia with modern toppings—all for just $1.50 for 15!  

Featured in The Infatuation
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263 Canal St B, New York, NY 10013 Get directions

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263 Canal St B, New York, NY 10013 Get directions

+1 917 657 8748

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Last updated

Jul 6, 2025

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@infatuation

"If you’ve ever walked through Manhattan’s Chinatown during the day, you’ve probably been overtaken by the smell of warm, fried dough on the sidewalk near the corner of Mulberry and Canal. That’s Ling’s, a cart that’s been serving soft, spherical dough puffs since 1982. We like to keep it simple and order the original, which cost $1.50 and comes with 15 piping hot cakes in a white paper bag. But Ling’s also sells mini cakes covered in condensed milk and chocolate syrup, if you want to really shake up your life." - hannah albertine

The Best Food Trucks & Carts In NYC
View Postcard for Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes
@infatuation

"If you’ve ever walked through Manhattan’s Chinatown during the day, you’ve probably been overtaken by the smell of warm, fried dough on the sidewalk near the corner of Mulberry and Canal. That’s Ling’s, a cart that’s been serving soft, spherical dough puffs since 1982. We like to keep it simple and order the original, which cost $1.50 and comes with 15 piping hot cakes in a white paper bag. But Ling’s also sells mini cakes covered in condensed milk and chocolate syrup, if you want to really shake up your life." - Hannah Albertine

Ling’s Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes Review - Chinatown - New York - The Infatuation
View Postcard for Ling's Fresh Made Sweet Mini Cakes

Fatima

Google
On the corner of mulberry and canal. Tiny shop has been selling sweet mini cakes (basically 15 delicious balls of dough and sugar in a tray). You can add different toppings like Nutella, condensed milk, peanut butter, or even honey coconut. There are chocolate filled ones and original ones and the real miracle? $2.25 for 15 pieces. It's insane. They also have bugger cakes for $5. Among all the insanely expensive shops that have popped up around Chinatown having a delicious, affordable snack right on canal Street is so nostalgic and a breath of fresh air.

myyydeardiary

Google
Peanut butter is the best !!! This one is just 3$ not expensive and delicious ❤️❤️

Mollie Jayne

Google
5 stars. great price at just $3, you have to try if you are visiting Chinatown

Charlie

Google
The smell gets me every time! Make sure you have cash handy cause once you walk by Ling’s you must get a bag of mini cakes. MUST!

Ladiny P

Google
Little stand located on the corner of Mulberry Street and Canal Street, is home to the most affordable and yummiest mini sweet cakes. Definitely recommend coming here if you are in the mood for a light snack and if you have $2 on you (15 of these mini vanilla cakes are only $1.50) I got the plain mini vanilla cakes because I was not in the mood to make a mess, but they do offer various toppings: condensed milk, honey coconut, peanut butter, chocolate syrup and nutella for an additional dollar.

Angie Grimes

Google
Grabbed these on the spur of the moment on my last trip to NYC/Chinatown. Oh my gosh....I keep thinking about them, months later! Tasty light and slightly sweet treat. Will be back soon!!!

Christine Polanco

Google
They’re pretty much just little pancakes, which is perfect if you’re in the mood for that.

Janet Flores

Google
my daughters love to get them every time we go to NY.

Alyson Y.

Yelp
A cart on a street corner in Chinatown that sells individual egg waffles. There can sometimes be a line as there is just only person making these individually. Cash only! The batter is all the original flavor but you can choose various drizzles/flavors of toppings. Went with the original. You get 10 pieces (or basically have a waffle) for a couple dollars. We got a mix of fresh/just-made and from the previous batch. The waffles are super fluffy but but batter was a little liquidy for my preference. I also wish the exterior was a little crunchier so it didn't taste as soggy. Still a quick and nice snack for on-the-go but I wish there were fresher and more flavorful egg waffles in the area.

Melody C.

Yelp
Literally grew up on gai dan jai (mini cakes), so I've always preferred the ones from the street carts rather than those trendy dessert shops. I'm really impressed with how these mini cake carts adapted to the times and introduced more flavors rather than just the original. Don't get me wrong though, the original is still the best! I tried the seaweed flavor recently and it was so good. I like how they provide sticks to eat with now!

Yu P.

Yelp
My first "mini cakes" experience was several decades ago at the Pacific Mall in Markham, ON, an hour north of Toronto. We eat things for various reasons--to nourish, to engage socially, to share an experience, to bond, to mourn, to celebrate, to forget, to dissolve... "Mini cakes" for me is eaten for memory--to bring me back to a different time when I was younger, naive, perhaps experiencing things more passionately as youth permits as more experiences are novel to us including taste and texture. Memory eating is not just of the experience of that food, but of a mind-state that was your lens in the perception of your experiences, that is your life. I delight in memory eating because often we forget the past as we are consumed with our current lives. Memory eating is in many ways a time capsule or a hologram that beams you back into your past life that has made you become the person you are today with all the decisions along all the forks on the road to now. Thank you Lina for existing since 1982 and going strong. Being in Manhattan's Chinatown and eating your "mini cakes" is a journey for me without psychedelics or a plane ride that takes me into my own limbic system through the sense of taste, smell, touch that includes texture and the visual.

YingLinn C.

Yelp
Always happy to support small businesses! He has been in the community for over 20+ years. These cakes are made fresh in front of you and now he can add toppings and fillings. We added chocolate but it wasn't super sweet, so it was perfect for an after lunch snack.

Charlie C.

Yelp
The smell gets me every time! Make sure you have cash handy cause once you walk by Ling's you must get a bag of mini cakes. MUST!

Fox E.

Yelp
You know I'm such a fool for you You've got me wrapped around your finger Do you have to let it Ling's? Do you have to, do you have to? Do you have to let it Ling's? Yes, you do have to let it Ling's, if you're in Chinatown Manhattan and you know what's good for you. I've had some bad egg waffles (aka egg puffs) and some good ones. But these are great. Now this is what I'm talking about. Having experienced some truly awful Asian egg waffles in Houston it's great to have some of the real thing sold right off a street cart. Not sure if they are quite as delicious as the Egg Puffs in Boston (at the wildly imaginatively named Egg Puffs, which is shockingly and surprisingly located in Boston's Chinatown), but they're up there. Much like Lucy, when she was in the atmosphere with precious gemstones. You know, a lot of hipster shops and fancy dessert places will charge 5, 7, even TEN freaking dollars for one of these things. This woman? Charges a dollar or two. And the portion is bigger, they're softer, gooier, sexier, better. Given the price and the big portion, and especially how delicious they are, it could only be five stars. It would probably be six stars if it were available. You will find her on the south side of Canal Street but only when you're lucky. Speaking of lucky, I'll be up all night to get lucky with you bae.

Annie Y.

Yelp
Hong Kong egg cakes were a staple in my after school snacking needs but Ling's cart is definitely the best cart to get them from! They're clean and efficient, but most importantly, their egg cakes are always made fresh! They do a good job at keeping them light, fluffy, and golden brown. I've never once gotten a cold or burnt batch from them. They've even added in new menu items and toppings to keep up with the times. My friend ordered the Condensed Milk Chocolate but I stuck to my childhood order: the Original.

Eric Y.

Yelp
I don't really remember when I first had one of these sweet cakes, but I'll always remember the smell of them. Theres always going to be something about that freshly made toasted cake that will invoke some kind of childhood memories (and begging my mom to get me some). Ling's Sweet Mini Cakes continues that tradition of me smelling that freshly baked mini cake, except now I don't have to ask my mom for permission. Although the prices have gotten a bit more inflated since I last remember them, i'd still consider it as a cheap eat. The dough is still light and fluffy and wonderfully aromatic. I see a lot of people complaining that the cakes aren't sweet and tasteless. Keep in mind that the cakes are not meant to be overly sweet and overpowering, the cakes are supposed to be subtle. On top of the traditional, Ling's Sweet Mini Cakes is also modernizing by adding different toppings to your mini cakes. Nutella with some condensed milk on top definitely brings the sweetness up. Normally my friend is a chocoholic that will opt for anything with extra sweetness but this time the tables were turned and I got the Nutella version (she did steal one of mine though... and said that her traditional one was better). If you ever find yourself in Chinatown and find yourself smelling some freshly baked mini cakes, you can follow the smell to Ling's Sweet Mini Cakes and eat these delicious snack.

Yaran S.

Yelp
The cakes I got were cold and soggy. It's very wrong of them selling leftovers to customers, regardless of the price! It would taste much better if they have cook them by order. This is my second visit and I don't think I'll ever go back :(

Tam C.

Yelp
I've been coming to this street cart for years whenever I've been in NYC Chinatown. One of my favorite moments as a kid was coming here. Egg waffles seem to be getting more hype now & lots of dessert places seem to be getting on board of making fancy egg waffles with different toppings and charging almost $10 for them. Lings has stuck to its roots and continues to and I'm forever grateful for it. I always stop by this cart whenever I'm in NYC Chinatown as an adult too. Please support this business as this is also probably one of the cheapest but delicious places to find good egg waffles.

Patricia C.

Yelp
Love the mini cakes here!! [[ $1 for 15 pcs. ]] Been coming here since I was young . Think they might have changed owners but the taste definitely hasn't changed!! Freshly made all day! A tasty treat on the go! It hits the spot! Just got myself a bag after getting off the Canal Street train station. Satisfied.

Maggie L.

Yelp
Mini cakes have been around for decades, if not longer, and Ling's cart is probably one of the longest standing one in Chinatown. Not only that, it is one of the better mini cake vendors. With just a few ingredients, they are able to create these tiny bite-sized, hot, fluffy, airy goodness that people of all ages would enjoy. Also have to give them credit for upping their game: they now have modernized the cakes to include toppings, like Nutella! For $1.50 you can get yourself a bag of 15 mini cakes and just a tad extra for toppings. What more can you ask for?! Support this little mom and pop cart!

Michael D.

Yelp
I've literally been coming here since I was in my 20's, which was in the late 90's. I love the mini cakes as a quick sweet treat snack. They're a decent price $2.50 for like 15 with toppings like Nutella, condensed milk and chocolate, coconut and condensed milk, sweet honey and coconut, and some others or you can also have them plain. Anyway they're a tasty quick treat you can have as you roam canal street. Enjoy

Calvin J.

Yelp
Good little dessert cart to stop by when exploring China Town in Manhattan. Owners are very sweet and kind and you can't go wrong with any of the stuff on their menu. Highly recommended

Gabe F.

Yelp
I randomly walked by this place on a Sunday evening around 6:30pm. There was a small line up of two people and the two workers at this cart were pretty overwhelmed by a constant stream of customers. The menu was straight forward with pictures, Chinese characters and even English for those who need the English. The staff completed the orders quickly and didn't say much during he encounter. For a quick snack, this place is very cheap $($1.50 to $2.00). I wouldn't mind coming back, but the quality of the desserts isn't the best.

Simon T.

Yelp
One of my favorite street vendor in Chinatown. A must dessert cart to try out. Run buy a lady and a gentleman (possibly a couple). Anyways what they serve are soft and fluffy egg waffles. They are made to order. They have a menue with different fillings you can add in. I'm a purist and just stick with plain. One order is 15 pieces and the plain is $1.50. If you want a filling added in an order is $2.25. Also one pro tip is to eat it right away while it's hot. They cool down pretty fast and taste totally different. Still good, I just think when they are piping hot they are the best.

Helena K.

Yelp
Food: it come if different favor which is great. Just not that impressive. I order coconut favor with honey. It was alright. Compare the amount they gave us and the price, I'm definitely think it pricy. The whole plate around 9 to 10 mini cakes for almost 3 dollars. I thought it a full mini cake but only part of it. To be honest it was alright. If I pass by again I might get it cause I love mini Cake but I hope this time it fresh because mine was cold. She cooked it and left it aside then take it out poured some coconut with honey on it. Despite the fact I ask for fresh and still give me the cold one. Hopefully next time I can get the warm fresh one

Laura N.

Yelp
Growing in PA & coming to Chinatown every weekend with my parents was a big important part of my childhood. I grew up eating these because you can't really get them in PA, the suburban area where I live. I now have moved in with my boyfriend in brooklyn & i always bug him every time we come to chinatown to get at least 8-10 of these and bring them home. Now that i know they added new things to the menu, i will definitely will be coming back to try the new sauces & etc! Forever supporting the food cart instead of the trendy new dessert places

Sweenly L.

Yelp
I chanced on this the other day after reading a sweet post by the owner's daughter. The post goes, the shop has been around since 1982, one of the few standing original egg cake shops. The business is run by her parents who are immigrants and speak limited English. There has been a rise in the Asian dessert shops that sell the egg cakes with ice cream and toppings for $7. And the daughter mentioned to her parents that they should try to stay competitive. And one day, her parents showed her their new signs and menu of all these new toppings they were adding. She was really surprised and touched that her parents were working so hard, trying to adapt to something foreign and new even when they didn't know English well. She was proud of her parents and her post made it onto facebook! I'm so happy to have been able to visit! It's only $2 for egg cakes with peanut butter and condensed milk - classic hong kong toppings! It smelled delicious, and tasted even better. They don't skimp! Haha. Looking forward to coming back :)

Chengzhi W.

Yelp
Loved eating these growing up. Then this cart comes around with different flavors! I just had the peanut butter with condensed milk mini cakes. So friggin good and it's only two bucks!

Fatima L.

Yelp
On the corner of mulberry and canal. Tiny shop has been selling sweet mini cakes (basically 15 delicious balls of dough and sugar in a tray). You can add different toppings like Nutella, condensed milk, peanut butter, or even honey coconut. There are chocolate filled ones and original ones and the real miracle? $2.25 for 15 pieces. It's insane. They also have bugger cakes for $5. Among all the insanely expensive shops that have popped up around Chinatown having a delicious, affordable snack right on canal Street is so nostalgic and a breath of fresh air.

Christina P.

Yelp
Looks like the price has gone up to $1.25 for 15 pieces, but it's still a damn good deal. Sure, it's just a bunch of little dough spheres but they're fresh and piping hot and super quick. Zero nutritional value but if you're wandering down Canal and want a sweet treat to munch on it's a great choice. A much better value than a fake Fendi!

Thanh H.

Yelp
3.5 on the day I got it, but a solid 4 overall. I visited on Lunar New Year's Day to find a long line (as expected) and bodies hanging all around the cart. I didn't have high expectations as they're just a small cart with two sweet older ladies working as fast as they could to keep up with the demand on one of the busiest days. For a mere $1.50 you can get a bag with 15 original mini cakes. Bump it up to $2.25 and you now have various topping options such as chocolate, condensed milk, peanut butter, etc. If you feel like splurging a little more, it's about $5 for a more decadent waffle "cone". The line moved relatively fast, but by the time I ordered, they were running low on cakes and trying to make a fresh batch. I ended up getting the leftover/scraps, but I wasn't mad or disappointed. It still tasted good, just a tad bit colder and harder is all! Generally they're fresh, hot, and chewy, but again, important to readjust expectations on certain days :) I highly recommend spending the extra .75 cents for toppings. The condensed milk added the sweetness and creaminess it needed. I've had these since I was a kid and always come back to get some when I'm in town. These mini waffle cakes fit the bill of being a cheap and satisfying snack!

Jessica D.

Yelp
One Sunday afternoon was on my way to grab bubble tea at Kung Fu Tea when I passed by this cart and smelled the great scent of the sweet mini cakes. After I picked up my bubble tea, I decided to line up for the sweet mini cakes. By the time I was done paying, there were already 5-7 other people lined up behind me waiting for the cakes. $1.00 for 15 pieces - great deal! Freshly made, delicious, and inexpensive sweet treat. Can't ever go wrong.

Chen Z.

Yelp
This mini cake stand has been here forever! I remember coming across this cake stand since the 90's when I was a kid. It is good to see this street business still stands!

Wendy C.

Yelp
It looks like they have added new flavor options to the mini cakes besides the plain flavor. Maybe they're feeling the competition by the bougie Asian egg waffle joints. I tried the one with chocolate in it and it's classic street mini cakes. I would say they're alright but still good!

Gloria M.

Yelp
Located in the heart of Canal Street you'll find one of the best mini egg waffles stands. I started my quest to locate them after reading a fellow sister's post about her parents story of how they began and been around since 1982. I found them and have never looked back. It's become an after school snack staple for my daughter and I. The peanut butter and Nutella are amazing. The chocolate with condensed milk is really good too. Just their original with no toppings blows some competitors out of the water. If you're in Chinatown definitely stop by. Thank me later!

Yael Y.

Yelp
Nel & I Had to try it, and we were not disappointed, its yummy snack as you walk in Chinatown, and you cant beat the price. we actually went back before we left for another one. The lady was very nice and friendly.

Shirley L.

Yelp
The cakes were hot, fresh, and well-textured. I don't expect the highest quality egg cakes but I was very satisfied given the prices. The prices are great for a quick sweet treat!

Daniel T.

Yelp
Peanut butter and Nutella is the new crack, amazing. Been eating from them like for eons seems like.

Leslie J.

Yelp
I grew up eating these amazing "cakies" -the nickname my family adopted. I am pretty sure this cart has been feeding us for 30+ years and I will never tire of it. Deliciousness!

Norman F.

Yelp
Excellent snack food while walking around Chinatown, Tribeca or Little Italy. Fun to wait on line and watch them make these inexpensive little cakes.

Jae J.

Yelp
$1 for 15 pieces. One. Dollar. Fifteen. Pieces. How can it get any better than that? I've been coming to this food cart for...gosh, 10+ years now, ever since I was a little kid! The little cakes are sweet and fluffy and airy and really light. It probably costs them way less than a dollar to make each batch, but they don't overcharge ridiculously like some other places I've been to. The line can be a bit long sometimes, but it goes very, very quickly!

Aparna K.

Yelp
The hubs gets me these cakes very often since the cart is located really close to his office. By the time it gets to Jersey City from Canal street, its nowhere near hot but it is still every bit as delicious as it is while having it at the cart. The cakes are really airy and light and even if you eat all 15 pieces of it, you will definitely have space for more.(or maybe I am just a fatty with a bottomless pit for a stomach).At 15 pieces for $1,this is going to be one of the most satisfying ways you have ever spent a dollar. Now, don't tell me that I didn't warn you but these lil munchies are addictive, so much so that you just might end up making your way to Chinatown just for these yum treats.

Katie K.

Yelp
So yummy. Perfect portions and the sweetest old man serving them. Went on a cold day and was a perfect warm snack.

Laura P.

Yelp
I ate these growing up and they've been here since i was tiny and the building i live in was being built. walking by, i would salivate and beg my parents for some waffles but they often said no. as i grew older and began to earn my own money i would occasionally walk by and buy some for my family and i to enjoy. there's another "counterfeit" cart that is here sometimes but ling's is the real deal. you can taste how much creamier their batter is compared to the other shop. and when i realized this i completely refused to purchase any minicakes if it did not belong to ling's. i must admit, when they upgraded their cart it really threw me off but i'm glad i'm able to differentiate them from other vendors. they make it the best and i will continue to support them as long as they're there. maybe one day they will open a small permanent shop or have one of those mini permanent stands so they can install some heat for the winter and some ac for the summer. :)

Claribel G.

Yelp
I became utterly obsessed with Ling's mini cakes while visiting New York. You can't beat the price and the quality! I've been searching everywhere for some in Florida. If you're in the area you MUST TRY!

Jamie C.

Yelp
I'm always happy when I find this little stall selling the best street snack! It always smells so good and even if you're full, you have to get some. They're these small round balls of fluffy goodness that taste like waffles. I think you get 15 for a dollar. It's so worth it especially when it's cold out cause they're warm and sweet. Makes your mouth happy!

Jake B.

Yelp
Picked up a bag of cakes while walking around the area. A nice tasty snack to have while you walk around. Just the right amount of sweetness.

Samuel L.

Yelp
How can you go wrong with these tasty and hot made to order mini cakes. You get 15 pieces for $1. Make sure you finish them when they're still hot and warm.