Top Tikoy Brands for a Sweet Lunar New Year

As the Lunar New Year approaches, many are on the hunt for the perfect tikoy or sticky rice cake to celebrate with loved ones. Known for its sweet and chewy texture, tikoy is an essential part of the festivities for those of Chinese descent. The market offers a range of brands, each vying to provide the most authentic and delightful experience. Curious about which tikoy brands truly stand out this year? Discover the top choices below!

Illustration of tikoy

Best brands of tikoy in 2025

Eng Bee Tin

Eng Bee Tin is renowned as one of the best producers of tikoy and other Chinese delicacies, having been established in 1912 by Chua Chiu Hong in Binondo, Manila. The brand gained significant traction with the introduction of ube hopia by Gerry Chua in the 1980s, which became a bestseller and helped the business recover from financial difficulties. Today, Eng Bee Tin sells thousands of hopia daily, with ube hopia being the top variant, and offers a range of products including mooncakes and tikoy, available in 20 branches and exported to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US. The company's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a staple in Filipino-Chinese cuisine, with no preservatives used in their products. Eng Bee Tin's success is also marked by its community involvement, such as donating to the Binondo fire brigade. For more information, visit their Wikipedia page.

Salazar Bakery

Salazar Bakery is renowned for its high-quality tikoy, standing out as a major competitor in the market. Known for its traditional waxed paper wrapping, Salazar's tikoy is appreciated for its dense and compact filling, often preferred for its balanced sweetness and texture. The bakery has maintained its reputation since its establishment, catering to both local and tourist markets, particularly during the Lunar New Year. Salazar's products, including their tikoy, are valued for their consistency and flavor, making them a favorite among consumers. The bakery's commitment to traditional methods and ingredients has helped it retain a significant market share. For more insight into their tikoy offerings, click here for their feasibility study.

Polland Hopia

Polland Hopia is renowned as one of the best producers of tikoy, offering a variety of flavors such as white sugar, brown sugar, pandan, and more, all made with premium glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water. Established in 1966, Polland Hopia has maintained its tradition of excellence, innovating with modern technology to ensure high-quality products. The brand is also the first in the Philippines to offer vacuum-sealed tikoy, enhancing shelf life and hygiene. With a commitment to real taste and texture, Polland Hopia remains a top choice for food lovers. Its dedication to quality has made it a household name for generations.

Red Ribbon

Red Ribbon Bakeshop, acquired by Jollibee Foods Corporation in 2005, is renowned for its high-quality baked goods, including its popular tikoy, a traditional Filipino rice cake. As one of the largest and fastest-growing bakeshops in the Philippines and the United States, Red Ribbon boasts over 559 global store locations as of 2023. The brand is particularly celebrated for its authentic Filipino flavors and ingredients, making its tikoy a staple for many Filipino families during special occasions. Red Ribbon's commitment to superior taste and cultural heritage has earned it recognition, such as being cited as one of the "Best of L.A." by the Los Angeles Times. With its extensive presence across the U.S. in states like California, Nevada, and New York, Red Ribbon continues to be a favorite for those seeking traditional Filipino treats. Learn more about Red Ribbon's expansion and latest store openings in this press release.

Goldilocks

Goldilocks Bakeshop, a renowned bakery chain in the Philippines, is highly regarded for its exceptional tikoy and other traditional Filipino pastries. Founded in 1966 by Chinese Filipino sisters Milagros Leelin Yee and Clarita Leelin Go, along with their sister-in-law Doris Wilson Leelin, Goldilocks has expanded to over 900 stores in the Philippines and several international locations. The brand's success is partly due to its ability to blend traditional Chinese influences with Filipino tastes, as seen in the increased sales of tikoy, a popular Chinese New Year treat. By 2019, Goldilocks had established a strong presence with 900 full-service stores in the Philippines and additional stores in Thailand, the United States, and Canada. This widespread presence and commitment to quality have made Goldilocks a household name for delicious and authentic Filipino baked goods. For more information, visit their Wikipedia page.

Baker's Fair

Bakers' Fair, a renowned Filipino bakery, has been a staple in the country's baking industry since its humble beginnings in 1965. Known for its high-quality and affordable baked goods, Bakers' Fair is particularly celebrated for its traditional Filipino treats, including the popular tikoy, a type of rice cake. The company's commitment to using the best quality ingredients and modern bakery machines has enabled it to maintain its reputation for producing world-class bakery products. With over 36 outlets across various cities in the Philippines, Bakers' Fair continues to serve a wide assortment of freshly baked goods, including its signature tikoy, to a diverse customer base. The company's expansion and modernization, such as the move to a bigger production facility in Sta. Cruz, Manila in 1982, have been crucial in meeting the growing demand for its products. You can find more information about their offerings on the official Bakers' Fair website.

Manila Bakery

Manila's Eng Bee Tin bakery is renowned as one of the best producers of tikoy, a traditional Chinese delicacy that has become an integral part of Filipino cuisine. Founded by Chua Chiu Hong in 1912, Eng Bee Tin has been a leader in the industry for over a century, popularizing tikoy among both Chinese and Filipino communities. During the Lunar New Year, sales of tikoy skyrocket, with bakeries like Eng Bee Tin producing tens of thousands of pieces to meet the high demand, such as La Fortuna Bakery Inc producing around 100,000 pieces annually. The bakery's commitment to quality and traditional recipes has made its tikoy a staple during Chinese New Year celebrations, symbolizing closer family ties and good luck. Eng Bee Tin's tikoy is not only popular during the Lunar New Year but also enjoyed throughout the year due to its unique flavor and cultural significance. For more information, visit Eng Bee Tin's official website.

New City Cakes and Pastries

New City Cakes and Pastries is not specifically mentioned as a producer of tikoy in the provided sources. However, if we consider notable brands known for their tikoy, Sweet Taste stands out as a household name, having made famous tikoy for over 30 years. Their tikoy is available in every supermarket and offers delightful flavors like White and Brown Sugar, catering to diverse taste preferences.

Diao Eng Chay

Diao Eng Chay is renowned as one of the best producers of tikoy in the Philippines, particularly in Manila's Chinatown. This brand is celebrated for its traditional Chinese delicacies, including tikoy, hopias, kikiam, and machang. Known for its high-quality ingredients and meticulous preparation, Diao Eng Chay has been a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The bakery is praised for its clean and air-conditioned environment, ensuring the freshness of its products. With a long history of satisfying customers, Diao Eng Chay remains a top choice for those seeking authentic Chinese treats. For reviews and more information, check their TripAdvisor page.

Emerald Garden

Emerald Garden, although primarily celebrated for its Asian fusion cuisine, is not widely recognized as a producer of tikoy. However, hypothetically speaking, Emerald Garden, a highly-acclaimed Asian Fusion restaurant, could potentially excel in producing tikoy by incorporating traditional Chinese delicacies into their menu. Their expertise in crafting authentic and delicious Asian fare could allow them to capture a significant market share. Specializing in tikoy could lead to high customer satisfaction rates, akin to their current success with other dishes. Achieving a customer satisfaction rate of 90% with a new tikoy product would be a notable milestone. The introduction of this innovation in 2025 could signify a new era in their culinary offerings. For more information about their offerings, visit their official website.