S Wan Cafe: A True Taste of Hong Kong in New York's Chinatown

S Wan Cafe Introduce

Nestled in the bustling heart of New York City's vibrant Chinatown, S Wan Cafe offers a genuine taste of Hong Kong-style cuisine. Known by locals as a "cha cha tang," this cafe is a beloved neighborhood spot that brings the authentic flavors and casual atmosphere of a traditional Hong Kong eatery to the Lower East Side. S Wan Cafe is not just a Chinese restaurant; it's a breakfast and lunch haven, a place where the community gathers for comforting meals and classic drinks. The establishment is Asian-owned and has built a reputation for its straightforward, delicious food that feels both authentic and satisfying. From morning till night, it serves as a reliable destination for a quick bite, a full meal, or just a great cup of tea, making it a cornerstone of the local culinary scene.

The atmosphere at S Wan Cafe is decidedly casual and no-frills, focusing on the quality of the food and the speed of service. This is a place where you can relax and enjoy a simple, well-prepared meal without any pretense. It’s a popular spot for breakfast and lunch, often bustling with people, which means there can sometimes be a wait—a testament to its popularity and the high demand for its delicious food. This cozy and lively environment makes it a great choice for solo diners and for families with children. The menu, filled with comfort food favorites and quick bites, caters to a wide range of tastes and needs, solidifying its place as a go-to spot for many New Yorkers seeking an authentic taste of Hong Kong in the city.

S Wan Cafe is conveniently located at 85 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002, USA. This prime address places it squarely within the vibrant and culturally rich Chinatown neighborhood. The area is exceptionally well-served by New York City's public transportation network, with multiple subway lines and bus routes running nearby, making it easily accessible from almost anywhere in the city. For those who choose to drive, paid street parking is available, though it’s always a good idea to factor in the busy nature of the neighborhood when planning your visit. The central location in Chinatown ensures that S Wan Cafe is not just a destination for a meal, but a part of a larger, immersive experience in one of the city's most historic and dynamic communities.

The accessibility of the cafe is one of its many strengths. Its presence on a busy street corner means it’s easy to find and step into for a meal. The continuous flow of locals and visitors alike speaks to its reputation as a reliable spot for quality food and a friendly atmosphere. While the establishment itself may be simple, its location and the ease with which one can get there from various parts of the city make it a highly convenient option for anyone craving authentic Hong Kong flavors without a long journey. The surrounding area is also full of other attractions, making S Wan Cafe an excellent place to start or end a day of exploring Chinatown.

S Wan Cafe offers a variety of convenient services to its customers, ensuring a seamless dining experience whether you're in a hurry or planning to sit down and enjoy a meal.

Dine-in: The casual dining room is perfect for enjoying a meal right on site, soaking in the local atmosphere.
Takeout: For those on the go, the cafe provides quick and efficient takeout service, allowing you to enjoy your favorite dishes anywhere.
Delivery: The option for delivery means you can get S Wan Cafe’s delicious food brought directly to your home or office.
Cash-only: It is important to note that S Wan Cafe operates on a cash-only basis, so it's best to come prepared with cash for your payment.

S Wan Cafe stands out for several key highlights that make it a local favorite and a worthy destination for anyone in the city.

Authentic Hong Kong-Style Cuisine: The cafe is celebrated for its genuine Hong Kong Cantonese-style dishes, particularly its "cha cha tang" offerings that capture the true essence of this unique culinary tradition.
Great Coffee and Tea: S Wan Cafe is well-regarded for its beverages, especially its authentic Hong Kong milk tea, which is always a highlight for customers.
Comfort Food Focus: The menu is centered around comforting and familiar dishes, from classic breakfast sandwiches and omelettes to hearty chow fun and stir-fried noodles.
Fresh, Made-to-Order Food: A key feature of the cafe is that all food is made to order, ensuring freshness and quality in every dish. The stir-fry dishes are particularly noted for their "wok he," a highly sought-after smoky flavor achieved from the wok.
Popularity for Breakfast and Lunch: S Wan Cafe is a go-to spot for both breakfast and lunch, offering a wide array of options that are perfect for a quick, satisfying meal at any time of day.
Good for Kids: The casual, family-friendly atmosphere and menu options make it a great choice for dining with children.
Solo Dining: Its relaxed and unassuming environment makes it an excellent place for those who prefer to dine alone.

For more information or to inquire about services, you can contact S Wan Cafe at the following information.

Address: 85 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002, USA

Phone: (212) 966-8269

When choosing S Wan Cafe, you are opting for a truly authentic culinary experience that feels like a trip to Hong Kong without leaving New York. The restaurant's appeal lies in its unwavering commitment to authentic flavors and simple, high-quality food. The star of the show for many regulars is the Hong Kong milk tea, which is always available and perfectly complements the food. For those who appreciate the art of stir-frying, the Beef Chow Fun is a must-try, often praised for its "wok he," a difficult-to-achieve smoky flavor that indicates expert cooking. The menu is a treasure trove of comfort foods, from the various sandwiches and toasts to the hearty Chinese-style breakfast, which offers a unique and satisfying start to the day.

Another reason S Wan Cafe is worth choosing is its role as a genuine neighborhood institution. It's the kind of place where the food is consistently good and the atmosphere is always down-to-earth. The fact that food is always made to order speaks volumes about their dedication to freshness and customer satisfaction. While some might find the cash-only policy and occasional wait a small inconvenience, these elements are part of the authentic, no-frills charm that makes the place so special. For anyone looking to escape the overly polished, tourist-heavy restaurants and find a spot where locals truly eat, S Wan Cafe is the perfect destination. It's a place where you can enjoy a classic Hong Kong meal that is both affordable and delicious, making it an easy choice for a quick bite or a satisfying meal at any time.

S Wan Cafe Food & drink

Munchie Menu
Curry Fish Ball $1.50
Curry Fish Ball Rice Noodle $3.00
Pork Chop
Chicken Chop
Fried Rice Noodle Roll $2.50
Soy Sauce Chow Mein $3.00
Fried Chicken Wing W. French Fries $6.50
Fried Chicken Wing $5.25
(6 pcs)
French Fries $3.75

Sandwiches
Toast With Butter $1.00
Toast With Butter And Jam $1.25
Toast W. Peanut Butter And Butter $1.25
Toast W. Butter And Sweetened Milk $1.25
Toast W. Peanut Butter & Sweetened Milk $1.25
Egg Sandwich $1.50
Ham Sandwich $1.50
Spam Sandwich $1.75
Corned Beef Sandwich $2.25
Ham With Egg Sandwich $2.00
Spam With Egg Sandwich $2.25
Corned Beef With Egg Sandwich $2.75
Ham With Cheese Sandwich $2.00
Tuna Fish Sandwich $1.75
Bacon. Tomato And Lettuce Sandwich $2.75
Beef Sandwich $1.75
Turkey Sandwich $1.75
Turkey With Cheese Sandwich $2.00
Turkey With Ham Sandwich $2.00
Turkey With Egg Sandwich $2.00
Beef With Cheese Sandwich $2.25
Beef With Ham Sandwich $2.25
Beef With Egg Sandwich $2.25
Pork Chop Sandwich $3.50
Pork Chop Tomato Lettuce Sandwich $4.00
Club Sandwich $5.25
Waffle $1.75
(Hong kong style)
French Toast $3.50
Chicken Chop Sandwich $3.50
Chicken Chop Tomato Lettuce Sandwich $4.00
Pancake $1.50

Chef's Specieal
Beef Chow Fun $8.25
Beef Chow Fun With Sauce $9.00
Beef Chow Fun W. Vegetable $9.50
Sate Beef Chow Fun $9.75
Stir Fry Seasonal Vegetable $7.50

Omelette
Onion Omelette $3.50
Ham Omelette $4.00
Beef Omelette $4.50
Spam Omelette $4.25

Hot Drinks
Coffee $1.25
Milk With Tea Bag $1.25
(American style)
Tea With Milk $1.50
(Hong kong style)
Ovaltine $1.25
Horlicks $1.50
Chocolate $1.25
Tea With Lemon $1.25
Hot Water With Lemon $1.25
Boiled Egg $1.25
Honey With Lemon $1.50
Coke With Lemon $2.25

Ice
Iced Milk Tea & Coffee Mixed $2.50
Pineapple Ice $2.75
Longan Ice $2.75
Red Bean & Grass Jelly Ice $3.25
Red Bean Ice $2.75
Grass Jelly Ice $2.75

Cold Drinks
Natural Spring Water $1.00
Soda $1.00
(Can)
Iced Coffee $2.50
Iced Tea With Milk $2.50
(H.k style)
Iced Ovaltine $2.50
Iced Horlicks $2.75
Iced Chocolate $2.50
Iced Tea With Lemon $2.50
Iced Water With Lemon $2.50
Iced Honey With Lemon $2.75
Iced Coke With Lemon $2.50

Others
Chinese Style Breakfast $4.50
Includes congee & soy sauce chow mein or fried dried shrimp rice noodle

S Wan Cafe Details

From the business
Identifies as Asian-owned

Service options
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Great coffee
Great tea selection

Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Coffee
Comfort food
Quick bite
Small plates

Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner

Amenities
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual

Planning
Usually a wait
Accepts reservations

Payments
Cash-only

Children
Good for kids

Parking
Paid street parking

S Wan Cafe Photos

S Wan Cafe Location

S Wan Cafe

New York New York County New York Eldridge Street

85 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002, USA

S Wan Cafe Reviews

An average rating of ★4.5 from 341 user reviews.

breakfastpricehk milk teawallcurrypork chopfast foodrice rollsbeef stew with riceegg sandwich

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

My friend Mike referred me to this establishment. I made it my regular spot. I would always order the same order: beef stew over rice with an iced lemonade. I came here many times to spend my hard earned money. One day I found a blue rubber band in my food and called and notified the management; they apologized and the next time I came they gave me a free meal to make up for it. I still came back after that. Recently, I found a piece of hair in my food. This time I came back, I ordered no food except an iced tea and the lady behind the counter tried to charge me. Both women had a very suspicious look on their face like I was trying to get over on them for a $10 plate of food. First off, I am an honest person, second my family is in the food business. I guess it’s xenophobia because I’m Not Chinese and they don’t trust me. See attached photos of the hair and rubber band in food. I will never come here again or refer anyone here. Bad business all around and rude people who don’t treat their customers right.
April 22 · Andrew & Dylan Rosenthal
Great local Hong Kong Cantonese style cha cha tang.Always have great Hong Kong milk tea availableFood is always made to orderStir fry is on point with “wok he”
April 29 · George Wong
S Wan is a diamond in the rough. Found this place close to home and has quickly become my go to for breakfast. Ordered the eggs, bacon and toast A2 that comes with coffee and it’s amazing for $6. Staff is very friendly and place is very clean. Not a lot of seating although not a long wait to sit the times I’ve been there. Will definitely keep going back, and will have to try for lunch and/or dinner soon.
August 03 · Danny V
FRIDAY March_15_2024TIME: 2:04pmMy order: (#D2) 2 Fried Eggs, Beautifully Seasoned Chicken Chop(chicken breast)Substitute toast with waffles plus a small coffee.After a long stressful exam I had taken earlier in the day. I was in the mood for a legit breakfast. To me breakfast in the afternoon; should ALWAYS have eggs included on your plate. Everything else is just extra. So as I was walking around the financial district/near Brooklyn Bridge area. I was immediately reminded of Chinatown. Why? Because I was craving breakfast but nothing heavy on my plate. So it’s Friday; I was making my way downtown walking fast through Chinatown; I came across “S WAN CAFE”. I heard through the grapevines of social media that this local “hole in the wall” delicacy serves quite the most unique SUPER AFFORDABLE dishes. I had the breakfast combo (D2) with some modifications. But here’s what I want to focus on. The food was of course absolutely filling with a side of coffee (condensed milk and coffee). But the customer service itself and the actual atmosphere.. wasn’t tooo intimidating; it was a peaceful busy quiet small “quick bite” to order breakfast, lunch and dinner. I believe they do offer door dash and the usually delivery services. But overall customer service and my time there…superb..Please support the local!!!
March 17 · Andrew Augustus
1st time trying based on goggle review. Generally, the breakfast is reasonably priced at $5.75 for porridge + Cheong fun or fried noodles. For the price & quantity, I will give it a 4.5 stars. However, the food is generally plain and not that tasty. For the quality, I will give it a 3 stars. Overall, perhaps a 3.5 for price, quantity and quality.
March 25 · Chris