A wildly popular 'cream puffs' restaurant is shut down owing almost $1million to the ATO... yet Aussies are defending the owners and demanding it be reopened

Published: 16:05, 12 August 2026 | Updated: 16:16, 12 August 2026 Aussies have fiercely defended a popular 'cream puffs' restaurant that closed after owing almost $1million to the Australian Tax Office (ATO), with many demanding it be reopened.  Emperor's Garden on Dixon Street in Sydney's Haymarket, is known for its dim sim, deep fried specialties, seafood dishes and custard-filled puffs and 'offers a wide selection of dishes that celebrate Cantonese style cooking'. Emperor's Garden Pty Ltd allegedly owes the ATO $845,133.11 in unpaid tax, with a letter of demand sent to the company in March, the ABC reported.  The tax office has since taken the company to the Federal Court, asking to wind it up and arguing it may be insolvent. Court documents show the ATO is seeking to have a liquidator appointed to the company behind the restaurant, which was founded in 1979, to recover the debt. The tax office is also asking for the company to cover its court costs.   The company, run by Stanley and May Ho Yee, hasn't formally responded to the ATO's court action.   Daily Mail has contacted Emperor's Garden's general manager Jonathan Yee and chief financial officer Valentine Yee for comment. Aussies have fiercely defended a popular 'cream puffs' restaurant that closed after owing almost $1million to the Australian Tax Office (ATO), with many demanding it be reopened Despite the restaurant's financial woes, many Aussies jumped to its defence, with some wanting to protect it at all costs.  'Hear me out... what if we nationalised it,' one said. 'Would vote yes [to nationalise it] in the referendum,' a second said. Some also encouraged the ATO to turn a blind eye.  'They were just blessing us with perfect melt-in-your-mouth cream puffs, it was their love language,' a commenter said. 'The ATO serves us and we say release them from this burden so we can all pursue happiness!' 'Tax gas (exports), but give us our cream puffs,'  another said. 'Surely if churches are tax-exempt a cream puff can be too,' a third said.  Operators of Emperor's Garden on Dixon Street in Sydney 's Haymarket, allegedly owe the ATO $845,133.11 in unpaid tax, with a letter of demand sent to the company in March, the ABC reported 'Aw, forgive and forget, those cream puffs were the GOAT,' a fourth said.  Early last week, customers at the restaurant were met with a notice, stating the premises had been 'lawfully re-entered and possession taken'.  It also stated that the locks of the business had been changed.  Emperor's owners quickly eased worries that it had closed down for good, promising it would return. 'Plot twist: we're not closing,' they said on Instagram. 'We're just making a few moves behind the scenes.' 'More memes have been green-lit though. This is where the fun begins. 'Although our doors are taking a short break, our social media isn't.'  Despite the restaurant's financial woes, many Aussies jumped to its defence, with some wanting to protect it at all costs In further signs of encouragement that the restaurant hadn't reached the end of the road, they said there were big plans for its 47th year.  'As we celebrate our 47th year, we'll continue sharing the stories, flavours and memories that have made Emperor's Garden part of Sydney for generations,' they said in a Facebook post. 'Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to staying connected with you.'