Melting Hearts in Chinatown: How Jean’s Pinklady Cheese Tart Brings Japanese Treats Home
This is the story of the first cheese tart bakery in NYC.
Jean brought Japanese cheese tarts to New York Chinatown, blending her love of baking with flavors inspired by trips to Malaysia and Japan. (Photo credits for P1 & P2: joncarrdp.com)
Inspired by Travel, Born in Chinatown
Jean’s journey began in Malaysia, traveling to Japan where she discovered Japanese cheese tarts and thought they were only “okay, but could be cheesier.” Armed with baking tools at home and after months of recipe testing, she launched Pinklady Cheese Tart in Chinatown in summer 2020. What was once a craving became a small, cozy shop where pink-hued, molten cheese tarts melted hearts and Instagram feeds alike.
Simple Flavors with Serious Craft
At Pinklady, the menu stays lean and mean: classic cheese, chocolate, matcha, and ube tarts, each sporting a delicately crisp, double-baked crust and a creamy molten center. Jean learned every technique through online courses and mentorship, even signing up for Japanese baking courses to deepen her skills. She also rolls out seasonal flavors like lemon, strawberry, pandan, apple pie, and during Chinese New Year, a special blood orange tart to keeping fans guessing and returning for more. Now, the vanilla and ube burnt Basque cheesecakes have become fan favorites.
Community-Focused Growth, No Hype
Everything, from baking to shipping online, is done by Jean and her team—keeping things personal and hands-on. There’s hardly any marketing; the buzz came slowly through word of mouth and a viral video during the pandemic. Now, locals and tourists stream in—drawn by the shop’s cozy charm and the tart itself, described as “fluffy, rich, creamy, and cute”
Advice from the Oven
Before opening, Jean worked at a boba shop to learn the ropes of food service. Her advice to aspiring bakery owners is pure and practical: know your numbers, plan logistics, and prepare to handle whatever comes your way especially when you’re baking your dreams into reality. She believes in keeping things simple, focused, and rooted in quality.