S Wan Cafe

This is a no frills spot but with a menu that offers everything one would expect from a Hong Kong café. I got one of the breakfast sets that came with macaroni soup, an egg sandwich, and milk tea for $7!

Family of five here dined in for $45 before flying back home to UK. We thoroughly enjoyed the food, however couple of the menu items could have been better with some sauce/gravy in it as they were a little bit dry. Portions were absolutely huge though and great value for money. Atmosphere and appearance inside reminds of a typical HK or Malaysian local no thrills cafe. We only visited this place once but wish we discovered it earlier. We had beef chow fun (10/10), sausage fried rice (10/10), scrambled egg shrimp on rice (8/10), chicken chop breakfast (8/10) and soy sauce chow mein (8/10).

Was craving for HK breakfast and this place delivered. Especially enjoyed the pork chop and milk tea. Macaroni soup and egg sandwich were standard fare and not too impressive but they do well on a cold day. Limited seating but people will let you share tables if you ask. Cash only.

S Wan Café — Chinatown, Manhattan In a neighborhood spoiled with choices, S Wan Café remains a dependable classic—less for theatrics, more for comfort done right. This is where cravings for Hong Kong–style milk tea are answered without fuss, flourish, or apology. The milk tea is the headliner: rich, assertive, and unapologetically old-school, the kind that reminds you why HK cafés still matter. The kitchen knows its strengths. The pork chop—crisp-edged and satisfying—pairs beautifully with that signature milk tea, delivering the kind of no-nonsense pleasure that locals quietly swear by. For group orders or office feasts, their party trays are a smart move: the old-fashioned Chinese sausage fried rice hits all the right savory notes, while the stir-fried mei fun is light, fragrant, and reliably crowd-pleasing. Breakfast classics round out the menu with mixed results. The macaroni soup and egg sandwich are serviceable rather than memorable—standard fare that earns its keep on cold days but doesn’t beg for a return visit. Still, when the craving is specifically Hong Kong breakfast, S Wan delivers where it counts. The room is tight, seating limited, and cash is king—but the vibe is communal and forgiving. Ask nicely, and someone will share a table. This is a neighborhood place in the truest sense: unpretentious, efficient, and deeply familiar to those who know. Final Take: Not flashy, not fussy—just a Chinatown staple that understands the assignment. Come for the milk tea, stay for the pork chop, and order the party trays when feeding a crowd.

Rating: 6.5/10 Date Last Visited: 1/24/2026 I ordered the Pork Chop w/ Onions over Rice ($9.50). The pork chop by itself is juicy, flavorful, and cooked very well. The sautéed onions elevate the dish and add the additional flavoring needed. However, I found the dish to be a bit boring since there was too much rice for just pork chops and onions. However for under $10, I think the food is good value. This place is cash only, so make sure you bring some extra cash with you. Overall, I would recommend this place if you’re in the area and want some quick food for good value.