Egg tart
In its own language: 蛋撻
A small pastry tart with a sweet egg custard filling, found in Cantonese cuisine
Egg tart is a pastry with a flaky or shortbread crust and a smooth egg custard center. Originating in early 20th-century Guangzhou, it blends English and Portuguese influences and is now a staple in Hong Kong, Macau, and beyond. Egg tarts are enjoyed as snacks in bakeries, dim sum restaurants, and Hong Kong–style cafes.
- Egg tarts have a sweet egg custard filling in a pastry shell
- Originated in Guangzhou in the early 20th century
- Hong Kong and Macau each have their own popular versions
- Macau-style tarts have a caramelized top
- Included in Hong Kong's Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory
What is Egg tart?
Egg tarts are small pastries with a golden, flaky or crumbly crust and a glossy, yellow egg custard filling. The custard is soft and sweet, made from eggs, sugar, and milk, and sits inside a shell of either puff pastry or shortbread-style dough. Some versions have a caramelized surface. They are usually round and fit in the palm of your hand. Egg tarts are served as snacks or desserts in Chinese bakeries, dim sum restaurants, and Hong Kong–style cafes.
Where does Egg tart come from?
Egg tarts first appeared in Guangzhou, China, in the early 20th century. They were inspired by English custard tarts, which arrived through trade and Western-style department stores. Chefs in Guangzhou created their own versions to attract customers, using a lard-based puff pastry and a custard similar to steamed egg pudding. The Hong Kong version came from Guangzhou in the 1940s, while Macau developed its own style based on the Portuguese pastel de nata, reflecting Macau's colonial history.
How is Egg tart made?
To make egg tarts, a dough is prepared for the crust, which can be either a crumbly shortbread or a flaky puff pastry. The crust is shaped into small tart molds. The filling is a mixture of eggs, sugar, and milk, sometimes with added flavors like chocolate or green tea. The custard is poured into the shells and baked until set. Macau-style egg tarts are baked at a higher temperature to create a caramelized top.
How and when is Egg tart eaten?
Egg tarts are eaten as a snack or dessert, often served warm or at room temperature. In Hong Kong and southern China, they are found in bakeries, dim sum parlours, and cha chaan tengs, where they are sometimes enjoyed with tea. They are typically sold in pairs or small batches. There are no specific customs tied to eating egg tarts, and they are enjoyed by people of all ages as an everyday treat.
Kinds of Egg tart
There are two main types: the Hong Kong–style, with a smooth yellow custard and either a shortcrust or puff pastry shell, and the Macau–style, which has a caramelized, browned top and is inspired by Portuguese pastel de nata. Fillings may be flavored with chocolate, green tea, or bird's nest. Macau-style tarts are now found in places like Singapore and Taiwan, especially after being introduced by international chains.
What Egg tart means
Egg tarts are a familiar part of daily life in Hong Kong, Macau, and southern China, often associated with local bakeries and tea houses. In Hong Kong, the technique of making egg tarts is recognized as part of the city's Intangible Cultural Heritage. The pastry reflects the region's history of cultural exchange, blending European and Chinese influences. Macau's version is linked to its Portuguese colonial past.
Questions people ask about Egg tart
What is an egg tart made of?
An egg tart is made with a pastry crust, usually shortbread or puff pastry, and a filling of eggs, sugar, and milk to form a sweet custard.
Where did egg tarts originate?
Egg tarts originated in Guangzhou, China, in the early 20th century, inspired by English custard tarts and later developed into local versions in Hong Kong and Macau.
How are Hong Kong and Macau egg tarts different?
Hong Kong egg tarts usually have a smooth yellow custard and a shortcrust or puff pastry shell, while Macau egg tarts feature a caramelized, browned top inspired by Portuguese pastel de nata.
Where can you find egg tarts?
Egg tarts are commonly found in Chinese bakeries, dim sum restaurants, and Hong Kong–style cafes, especially in Hong Kong, Macau, and southern China.
Are egg tarts vegetarian?
Egg tarts are typically vegetarian, as they are made with eggs, milk, sugar, and flour, but do not contain meat or fish.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Egg tart", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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