Kora Bakery Review: Is this Filipino Bakery Worth the Hype?
Quick Summary: Kora is a Filipino-inspired bakery in Sunnyside that has quickly become one of my favorite pastry spots in New York City. Officially named Queens’ Best Bakery in 2025 by the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Kora takes traditional Filipino flavors—like ube, leche flan, and kalabasa—and transforms them into high-end fried brioche, danishes, and croissants. While it's pricey (I spent over $60) and popular items sell out early, the balanced, non-overly-sweet flavors make it well worth a visit.
And this bakery has a lot of hype behind it. In 2025, Kora was officially named Queens’ Best Bakery in the Queens Chamber of Commerce's inaugural competition after a public nomination and voting process. After trying it myself, I completely understand why people love this place.
I ordered more than $60 worth of pastries, including the Leche Flan Fried Brioche, Ube Fried Brioche, Leche Flan Brioche With Kalabasa, Tres Leches Danish, Ensaymada Croissant, Plain Croissant, and Lumpia Turon. My favorite was easily the Leche Flan Fried Brioche, followed closely by the Ube Fried Brioche.
What I especially like about Kora is that the pastries aren't overly sweet. You can taste familiar Filipino ingredients like ube, leche flan, ensaymada, and turon, but they're presented in a completely modern way.
Good to Know
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 45-12 Greenpoint Ave, Sunnyside, NY 11104 |
| Type | Filipino-inspired specialty bakery |
| Price | $$–$$$ (Expensive for a bakery) |
| My Total Spend | $60+ |
| Nearest Subway | 7 train to 46 St–Bliss St (5-minute walk) |
| Best Time to Visit | Around 9 AM for full selection |
| Must-Try Items | Leche Flan Fried Brioche, Ube Fried Brioche |
| Overall Rating | 9.6 / 10 |
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Watch My Video Experience
Why You Need to Arrive Early
There's a practical reason I arrived at Kora early in the morning: I wanted access to the full menu selection. Kora starts putting out its full pastry menu around 9 AM, and popular items sell out quickly. When I arrived, there was already a line outside the door.
If you see a specific pastry online that you really want to try, don't wait until late afternoon. While I wish the full selection stayed stocked throughout the day, I understand why small-batch, specialty items sell out when demand is this high.
Queens’ Best Bakery Award
Calling any spot the “best bakery in Queens” is a bold claim, but Kora actually has the title to back it up. The Queens Chamber of Commerce named Kora Queens’ Best Bakery in July 2025 after a competitive public nomination and voting process involving 22 local bakeries.
While awards don't automatically guarantee great food, it made me even more eager to test it out myself. After spending $60+ and tasting seven different items, I think Kora genuinely deserves the recognition.
The Atmosphere & Open Kitchen
Kora is bright, modern, clean, and surprisingly spacious inside. The layout features light walls and a long pastry counter showcasing what's fresh for the day.
My favorite detail is the large glass window looking directly into the kitchen behind the counter. Watching the bakers work with trays of fresh brioche and pastry dough gives the space an energetic, transparent feel. It feels much more like a high-end specialty bakery than a standard neighborhood doughnut shop.
How to Get to Kora Bakery
Kora is located at 45-12 Greenpoint Ave in Sunnyside, Queens.
- By Subway: Take the 7 train to 46 St–Bliss St. From the exit, it's an easy 5-minute walk down Greenpoint Avenue.
- By Car: Street parking is very limited around Greenpoint Ave. Taking the subway is significantly easier.
Filipino Flavors in Modern Pastry Form
What sets Kora apart is how it translates classic Filipino flavors into western pastry techniques. Instead of just putting purple icing on a basic doughnut and calling it "ube," Kora incorporates ingredients like leche flan, ube, ensaymada, and kalabasa directly into brioche, danishes, and croissants.
If you're looking for traditional savory Filipino food in Queens, check out my review of Tyang Gelay's Grill in Woodside for Chicken Inasal and Lumpia. While Tyang Gelay offers home-style comfort meals, Kora shows how versatile Filipino flavors can be in modern baking.
Menu Review: What I Tried at Kora
1. Leche Flan Fried Brioche (My Favorite)
If you only order one thing at Kora, make it the Leche Flan Fried Brioche. Leche flan is a traditional Filipino custard dessert similar to crème caramel—rich, creamy, and coated in caramel syrup. Combining that silky custard inside a light, fried brioche shell is pure genius. The textures complement each other perfectly, and it delivers a rich flavor profile without feeling excessively heavy or sugary.
2. Ube Fried Brioche (Second Favorite)
The Ube Fried Brioche was my second favorite pastry of the visit. Ube (purple yam) is a staple in Filipino desserts, but many bakeries overload it with extra sugar. Kora's version keeps the natural, earthy sweetness of the ube front and center. The brioche remains fluffy, and the filling is generous without being cloying.
3. Leche Flan Brioche With Kalabasa
This donut is my third favorite alongside with lechan flan fried brioche and ube fried brioche. Kalabasa is the Tagalog word for squash/pumpkin. While squash might sound like an unexpected addition to a dessert, it adds a subtle earthiness and moisture that works surprisingly well alongside the rich flan filling. It highlights Kora's willingness to experiment with authentic Filipino staples in unexpected ways.
4. Tres Leches Danish
The Tres Leches Danish converts the classic three-milk soaked cake into a flaky pastry wrapper. It was creamy and fun to try, providing a nice contrast to the fried brioches, though it didn't quite reach the heights of the signature Leche Flan brioche.
5. Ensaymada Croissant
Traditional ensaymada is a soft, sweet brioche-like bread topped with butter, sugar, and grated cheese. Kora combines those sweet-and-savory toppings with a flaky croissant base. While it's a clever concept, this was my least favorite of the lineup simply because the brioche-style pastries outshined it.
6. Plain Croissant
I ordered a plain croissant specifically to test Kora's foundational pastry skills without sweet fillings or toppings to hide behind. The lamination and butteriness were solid, but unless you're buying for someone who dislikes sweet flavors, focus your budget on their signature Filipino creations instead.
Although this croissant tasted good, I wouldn’t order it again since it was pretty ordinary. You can find croissants all around New York that taste even better than this.
7. Lumpia Turon
I was lucky to catch the Lumpia Turon on the menu, as availability varies day to day. Traditional turon consists of saba bananas wrapped in a spring roll wrapper and fried with caramelized sugar. Kora’s version captures that crispy, caramelized banana flavor closely in a laminated twist format
The Downsides: High Prices & Limited Stock
There are two main drawbacks to keep in mind before visiting Kora:
- It Is Expensive: I spent over $60 on seven pastries. While these are artisan, labor-intensive items using specialty imported ingredients, they are still high-end luxury treats rather than daily budget doughnuts.
- Items Sell Out Fast: Because everything is baked fresh on-site in limited batches, popular items like the Leche Flan Brioche often sell out by early afternoon. Plan to arrive around 9 AM if you want full menu access.
Final Verdict
Rating: 9.6 / 10
Kora easily earns its title as one of the best pastry shops in New York City. Despite the high price tag and early sell-out times, the creativity and flavor balance make it worth every penny.
If you visit, get there around 9 AM, grab a Leche Flan Fried Brioche, and pair it with an Ube Fried Brioche. You won't regret it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the single best item to order at Kora Bakery?
The Leche Flan Fried Brioche is the absolute must-order item. It features a light fried brioche filled with rich, creamy Filipino custard.
Was Kora really named the best bakery in Queens?
Yes. Kora won the Queens Chamber of Commerce "Queens' Best Bakery" award in July 2025 following a borough-wide public nomination and vote.
What time should I arrive at Kora Bakery?
Arrive around 9:00 AM. This is when the kitchen finishes putting out the full daily selection, giving you the best chance to get popular items before they sell out.
How expensive is Kora Bakery?
Most specialty brioches and danishes cost between $6 and $9 each. Expect to spend $15–$30 per person for a couple of pastries and a drink.
How do I get to Kora Bakery via public transportation?
Take the 7 train to 46 St–Bliss St station in Queens. Kora is a 5-minute walk from the subway platform at 45-12 Greenpoint Ave.
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