121 Baxter St · Chinatown, NYC

Fresh-baked, paper-wrapped, family-run.

Hong Kong–style sponge cakes, baked every morning by the same family that's welcomed Baxter Street since 2020. Simple ingredients, honest prices, a little cake in a paper cup.

6am – 7pmOpen daily
$1.00+Per spongie
Baked freshEvery morning
Original spongie cake held up in front of the Spongies Cafe neon sign
fresh daily
paper-wrapped
Our Story

A mom-and-pop shop, in the truest sense.

🧡 Family owned & run since November 2020

Spongies started with one thing: the Hong Kong–style sponge cake we grew up with — light, a little chewy at the edge, faintly sweet, baked fresh every morning and handed to you still warm in its paper cup. No fuss, no frills, just the recipe our family has always trusted.

We're a small operation on Baxter Street — the kind of place where the same hands that mix the batter are the ones ringing you up. We started as a Mom and Pop shop in Chinatown, and that's still exactly what we are.

"Come support your local mom & pop shop — we appreciate it."

A spongie cake served on a glass cake stand alongside coffee
On the counter today

Flavors worth the trip

Baked fresh every morning in small batches — once they're gone, they're gone until tomorrow.

Original spongie cake, sliced open

Original

$1.00The classic — caramelized top, custardy center.

Pandan Coconut

$2.00Fan favorite — grassy-sweet with toasted coconut.

Purple Yam

$2.00Earthy and lightly sweet, gorgeous violet crumb.

Matcha

$2.00Real ceremonial-grade bitterness, not too sweet.

Banana Chocolate Chip

$2.00Ripe banana batter, studded with chips.
Black sesame spongie cake, sliced open showing speckled grey crumb

Black Sesame

$2.00Toasty and nutty, a little bitter-sweet.
Pistachio spongie cakes on a bed of shelled pistachios

Pistachio

$2.25Rich and nutty, topped with real crushed pistachios.
Holiday Sprinkles spongie cakes covered in rainbow sprinkles

Holiday Sprinkles

$2.00Sprinkles baked in and on top. Pure fun.

Cappuccino

$2.00A shot of espresso swirled right into the batter.

Triple Chocolate

$2.50Cocoa batter, dark chocolate chips, and a chocolate drizzle.

Chocolate Chip

$2.00Our classic batter, studded with mini chocolate chips.

Butterscotch

$2.00Buttery caramel sweetness in every bite.

Thai Tea

$2.00Fragrant Thai tea baked right into the crumb.
To sip alongside

Drinks Menu

Hong Kong–style teas and coffees, brewed fresh and served hot or over ice.

Hong Kong Milk Tea

$3.50Strong black tea, silky and smooth with milk.

Yuenyeung

$3.75Half coffee, half milk tea — a Hong Kong classic.

Thai Iced Tea

$3.50Sweet, spiced, and bright orange — served over ice.

Taro Milk Tea

$4.00Creamy and lightly nutty, the color of our purple yam cakes.

Iced Coffee

$3.25Bold and smooth, brewed strong and served cold.

Winter Melon Tea

$3.25Lightly sweet and caramel-toned, a Cantonese favorite.
While they last

Seasonal Specials

Limited-time flavors and drinks that rotate with the seasons.

Sponge Cakes

Seasonal batch, while supplies last
  • Pumpkin Spice
  • Peppermint Mocha
  • Strawberry Shortcake
  • Mango Coconut

Drinks

Seasonal batch, while supplies last
  • Pumpkin Spice Milk Tea
  • Peppermint Mocha Latte
  • Iced Strawberry Matcha
  • Fresh Mango Slush

Seasonal items rotate throughout the year — follow @spongiescafe to catch them while they last.

What the neighborhood says

Word travels fast on Baxter Street

★★★★★

"One of the most delicious ways you can spend a dollar in New York City."

— The Infatuation, NYC Review
★★★★★

"Such a nice vibe to it — an equally interesting crowd of customers."

— Local food blogger, Dining on a Shoestring
★★★★★

Reviewers consistently highlight the pandan and coconut flavors as standouts — light, moist, and never too sweet.

— Summarized from customer reviews
4.8★Yelp · 370 reviews
4.8★Google reviews
5.0★Tripadvisor
5.0★Facebook
Come say hi

Visit us on Baxter Street

121 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013Chinatown, between Hester & Canal · Get directions
(646) 666-0036Call ahead for large orders
Leave us a review We'd love to hear from you

Hours

Monday – Sunday6:00 AM – 7:00 PM