Take the L train to the Montrose Ave stop and you might be surprised to find yourself immersed in the flavors of Taipei. Chef Trigg Brown and Josh Ku first brought their vision of Taiwanese-American cuisine to life in 2016 with restaurant Win Son. Three years later, they expanded by opening a bakery with the same name just across the street. With both locations, their vision wasn’t simply to look east to recreate traditional flavors, but to reinterpret them with a distinctly New York bravado.
EAST MEETS WEST
The millet mochi donut turns an unfamiliar grain into a nostalgic treat, with a chewy, springy texture that’s a hallmark of Taiwanese baking. The pine nut sun cookie marries Southern flavor with the essence of Taichung, offering a unique fusion of influences. Win Son’s twist on the classic bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich comes swaddled in a scallion pancake, turning a New York bodega staple into a hangover-curing wrap.
Developed by pastry chef Danielle Spencer, Win Son Bakery’s offerings are a study in layering flavor and texture. Laminated doughs evoke the pastries Spencer experienced in Taiwan, while meats like beef tongue are treated like New York’s beloved pastrami, creating an egg sandwich unlike any other in the city.
GLOBAL ROOTS
New York’s diverse population and global influences also play a major role in Win Son’s approach. Beyond Taiwan and the American South, the bakery draws inspiration from Japanese patisserie, French lamination, and mainland Chinese flavors to create something new. This ability to pull from multiple traditions while showcasing Taiwanese roots has made Win Son Bakery a spot New Yorkers didn’t know they needed.
Despite being open for just a few years, the all-day café has firmly planted itself as a New York mainstay, opening a second location in March 2025 in Manhattan. The new Second Avenue location has a menu that mirrors the beloved Williamsburg original, but the new location might just be a tad closer for many New Yorkers. Already, the recent outpost feels like Win Son: lively, creative, and quietly confident. Whether you’re based in Manhattan or live across the river, come join the line and browse flights to Taipei while you wait.
WIN SON
164 Graham Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11206
23 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10003