Emperor's Garden, a popular hole-in-the-wall bakery in Sydney's Chinatown known for its fresh cream puffs, has unexpectedly closed its doors, causing distress among loyal customers. The establishment, a fixture on Dixon Street in Haymarket since 1979, drew daily crowds eager for its signature puffs, which were filled with hot custard.
Customers arriving on Sunday were met with a locked green shutter and a note stating the premises had been "lawfully re-entered and possession taken." The abrupt closure quickly spread across social media, prompting emotional reactions from patrons. "I just fell to my knees," one customer expressed upon discovering the shop was closed.
Many shared memories and expressed heartbreak, with some lamenting missing out on their childhood favorite. "This makes me incredibly sad. The lining up was worth the wait," another comment read. "I can't believe it. An iconic piece of Sydney's Chinatown gone."
Despite the initial cryptic explanation, the owners of Emperor's Garden later posted on social media, suggesting the bakery is only temporarily closed. "Plot twist: we're not closing. We're just making a few moves behind the scenes," the post stated. "Our bakery is taking a short break. That means the puffs are deflating for now... We'll be back soon." The owners also clarified that their BBQ and Meat Restaurant, located across the street, remains open.
The owners did not specify whether the bakery would reopen at its current location or relocate. The news of a potential return was met with relief from customers, many of whom expressed their eagerness for the bakery's comeback. "I have a cream puff addiction, please don't be too long or I'll have to rehab myself. Love you," one commenter wrote. "I'm so happy you're not leaving us. We can't lose a cultural institution," another added.
Daily Mail has reached out to Emperor's Garden for further comment.