Spongies Cafe

Bakery · Little Italy

Spongies Cafe

Bakery · Little Italy

3

121 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013

Photos

Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by Kate Previte
Spongies Cafe by Kate Previte
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null
Spongies Cafe by null

Highlights

Airy, fluffy sponge cakes in a variety of flavors.  

121 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013 Get directions

google.com
@spongiescafe

$1–10

Information

Static Map

121 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013 Get directions

+1 646 666 0036
google.com
@spongiescafe

$1–10

Features

payment credit card
Tap to pay

Last updated

Oct 25, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@infatuation

The 17 Best Asian Dessert Spots In NYC - New York - The Infatuation

"Here it is, The Infatuation’s foolproof, three-step guide to becoming the most popular person in your workplace. Step 1: Get off the subway at Canal Street and walk a block to Spongies Cafe. Step 2: Pick up a dozen assorted Hong Kong-style steamed sponge cakes (you can’t go wrong with any of the flavors, but we really dig the Lovely Butterscotch) for an eye-poppingly reasonable price ($12 for original sponge cakes, $15 for flavored), neatly packaged in a cute pink box. Step 3: Bask in the adoration of your colleagues, and enjoy the moist, satisfyingly squishy cakes with coffee or tea." - molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, will hartman, willa moore, neha talreja

https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/best-asian-desserts-nyc
View Postcard for Spongies Cafe
@infatuation

Spongies Cafe - Review - Chinatown - New York - The Infatuation

"Spongies Cafe’s Hong Kong-style steamed cakes are one of the most delicious ways you can spend a dollar in New York City. Baked fresh every morning, the sponge cakes have a thin, crispy crust that gives way to a fluffy, almost custardy interior. Imagine a stress relief ball even more pleasurable to eat than it is to squeeze. Decorated with fairy lights, the storefront just off Canal Street has four small bistro tables and serves reasonably priced drinks, including thai teas, matcha lattes, and vietnamese coffees at $4 each. The original spongies are $1, and while they’re delicious as is, we’d recommend dropping an extra quarter for the $1.25 naturally flavored ones. The menu rotates frequently, but our favorites include Lovely Butterscotch, which contains secret chunks of brown sugary goodness, and the fragrant, extra-moist Purple Yam, which is a pretty (and also natural) shade of lavender on the inside. photo credit: Kate Previte" - Molly Fitzpatrick

https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/reviews/spongies-cafe
View Postcard for Spongies Cafe
@foodandwine

"There's also a pair of cafés across the street from each other: Spongies (121 Baxter St.) and Kam Hing (118 Baxter St.). Both serve outrageously airy sponge cakes for 85 cents apiece. On my morning grocery runs, I try to get them fresh when they're still warm and enjoy them with a cup of yuenyeung, which is coffee and milk tea, half and half."

Lucas Sin's New York City Guide
View Postcard for Spongies Cafe

Juju C

Google
Super cute spot! The sponge cakes were super fluffy and delicious! I got the pandan coconut, purple yam, black sesame, and original. They were all great but I think I liked the panned coconut the most. Insane value for just $1.5!!

Travel With Chyna

Google
I was craving something sweet and was recommended to try their sponge cake, which is only $1.50. I choose the red velvet sponge cake. It was soft, fluffy, and absolutely delicious. The shop itself is really charming with beautiful décor and cozy seating, it has a coffee shop vibe where you can sit back and enjoy desserts.

Hamza Elsayed

Google
I LOVE THIS PLACE! We tried the green tea ($1.50) and the banana chocolate chip ($.150) spongies and they were AMAZING! Quality for price is so good. The spongies were so fluffy, airy and tasted a little bit like a muffin. I highly recommend this place if you want little snack or dessert without breaking the bank.

John Allie

Google
Spongies Cafe is a local institution—quietly tucked away from the chaos of Canal Street and serving up Hong Kong–style sponge cakes that are downright addictive. These little pastries (think muffin shape, but way fluffier) are soft, warm, and perfectly spongy. I had the blueberry and it was top notch—light, flavorful, and just the right amount of sweet. Paired it with a refreshing Thai iced tea and couldn’t have been happier. Pro tip: Get there early. It’s a small spot and they tend to sell out by around 3pm. If you’re exploring the Lower East Side, skip the line at Katz and come here instead—you won’t regret

Fresh Williams

Google
I visited this cafe and tried their original spongie cake. It had a delightful flavor, but I couldn’t help but feel like I was biting into air every time I took a bite. Unfortunately, they were out of every other flavor I was interested in. Despite this, the cafe itself is a lovely place to sit down and enjoy a meal. The price for the sponge cake is quite reasonable, and I would definitely recommend this cafe to friends and family. Just remember to bring $10 with you. Come early.

Leonardo Torres

Google
This is certainly an interesting cafe. Tucked into Baxter Street near the corner of Canal Street it's easy to find this location. The prices of the sponge cake and other items are a great bargain. The original sponge cake wasn't too sweet and had a fluffy mouthfeel. I look forward to tasting the other flavors.

Jeff T. Critic

Google
Spongies Cafe Pandan Coconut Sponge Cake Sprinkles Sponge Cake To conclude my mission, I stopped at a local dessert place for sponge cakes. Once again, my prediction about this Chinese bakery was wrong! The light, airy cake had a puffy texture. It was not too sweet, but not too bland. The sponge cake tasted just right! The coconut flavored cake gave it a small, but effective flavor boost.

Patrick Zajac

Google
I LOVE a sponge cake like I used to get these all the time in Houston they’re so fun to eat. Originally we were gonna get one each but then we saw the extensive flavor list and went a bit crazy… I got THREE! First flavor: Red Velvet. This was really good. I wouldn’t really equate the flavor to be red velvet but whatever the flavor was I liked it! Second flavor: Thai Tea. A bit of a let down not gonna lie. I didn’t get any thai tea flavoring in this one and it was pretty dry. Sad because this was the one I was most excited about. Third flavor: Banana Chocolate Chip. EXCELLENT! This one was fire!!! Banana flavor was on point and the chocolate chips were super mini but at the right ratio. Sponge was moist!
google avatar

Ted P.

Yelp
A classic spot to stop by in Chinatown! They have a big variety of fun flavors and everything is super cheap. The regular ones are $1 and the flavored are $1.50! The sponge cakes are super light and airy while not being too sweet. Perfect to pair with a coffee or tea! My favorite is definitely the Pandan coconut!
google avatar

Matthew S.

Yelp
When you see multiple police officers stopping here at 6:30 am, and for a good reason (they were all getting their breakfast), you know you have something good. It also helps the New York Times did a story on this little shop earlier in the year. This sponge cake shop focuses squarely on, well, sponge cakes, along with other hot beverages. The cakes are well priced and you can order them like donuts. There is a $5 credit card minimum for each purchase, but you can easily hit it with two items. If not, it is still very much a deal at a time when prices for everything are through the roof. The cakes (start simple if you must) are light, but full of flavor. Despite the lightness, you must be careful because the density of the milk in the mixture will make you go to bathroom, as I learned the hard way. That is why you have to eat it slowly and preferably with a hot beverage to make it easier to digest. My mistake was getting a Snapple with it. Sugar with sugar only compounds the issue, not mitigate it. A big whoops on my part. I can also appreciate the early hours, as they open at 6 am daily. That is great for the early commuter like myself, and probably why I saw all the cops that I did. It is the perfect pick me up for that rush to get you going early in the morning. My reason for a three star review is that it is just it. Simple, but too simple. Sure, a hamburger is simple too, but you can get a four or five star review because of the art that makes it more than a hamburger. This is a simple sponge cake that feels like a donut in sponge form, with an Asian twist. It is not a bad thing, it just is what it is. That should not detract you from stopping by. The cute and friendly staff (I was helped by Sasinee, the owner's wife), was great in her assistance. Fernando, the owner, was not there or not visible, but I certainly would have loved to meet him. Maybe next time, maybe next time.
google avatar

Janet L.

Yelp
I absolutely love sponge cakes exactly like the ones that Sponges sells so I cannot rate this place highly enough. I was shocked by the variety of flavors they had to offer and ended up buying a mixed dozen of plain and flavored sponges. Please note when you mix and match like this that the price will vary from the domain dozen. The seating area is small but it's easy to take these sponges on the go and enjoy them all week! Service is super fast so you'll get in and out quickly.
google avatar

Liz B.

Yelp
I stopped in on a rainy day to try out the black sesame sponge cake and it was really good! super airy and you had a little bit of a texture from the sesame. It was the perfect amount of sweetness for me (which is a little on the sweeter side for an Asian dessert) and a perfect snack for $1.50!
google avatar

Jenna L.

Yelp
This place changed my life. I don't even like muffins, but my eyes have been opened with this place. The lightest, fluffiest, most sponge-like muffins I've ever had in my life. The Thai tea, banana chocolate chip, and black sesame were all phenomenal. Reminds me of Korean castella, but in lighter and fluffier form. You also can't beat the price point of $1.5/muffin.
google avatar

Kelly L.

Yelp
I wanted try our Spongies to see if it could compare to my go to place for sponge cakes. I ordered the pandan and ube. There are pandan strands and coconut flakes incorporated into the pandan sponge cake, and small pieces of purple yam inside the ube sponge cake, so you know they utilize the actual plant. Gives it some texture despite it being airy, but the flavor for both is mild. I just prefer the taste and denser texture of other sponge cakes that I have had. Price is very affordable ($1.25 for original, $1.50 for flavored). There are 3 small tables for seating. Minimum $5 purchase needed to use credit card.
google avatar

Sonali P.

Yelp
I highly recommend watching the NYT video about Spongies. The story is heartwarming and inspired me to go try their sponge cakes. Spongies is a small cafe in Chinatown. They have about 3-4 small tables and offer coffee, tea, and sponge cakes. The decor is very cute and open air. You order at the counter and they make your drink and give you your food immediately. I tried the banana chocolate chip sponge cake and the pandan coconut. This was my first sponge cake and it was so fluffy and addicting. The flavor is mild and not-too-sweet. It tasted like a light fluffy muffin. Price-wise it was extremely inexpensive at around $1 for a cake. Overall, it was a great sponge cake with a great story. I will definitely be back again.
google avatar

Kitty H.

Yelp
Price is still 12 for $12 for original flavor!!! Flavored cake is 12 for $18. It's still very soft and rich in egg flavor. My whole family loves them!
google avatar

Angelo B.

Yelp
Usually go to Kam Kam coffee shop for sponge cakes, but decided to give this place a try since I was close and it was well reviewed. I do prefer these! I think they are actually a little cheaper than Kam Kam (if not, similarly priced). The cakes are a little bigger, and there is a large variety of flavors. I may just get the plain next time, since the flavored ones have an extremely subtle flavor (almost non existent), so probably not worth a 50% premium imo.
google avatar

Maxwell L.

Yelp
A quaint little bakery/cafe specializing in sponge cake morsel, I enjoyed my brief experiencing relaxing and enjoying a mid day snack. I'm not going to lie, I definitely bookmarked this place after seeing the NYT video on YouTube about this lovely establishment and the great, hardworking ownership. Food: Yum! I got 2 different spongies, the purple yam and the pandan coconut. Both were delightfully pillowy, moist, and lightly sweet. Is this how it feels like to sink your teeth in a fluffy cloud? I could see myself eating one every day as breakfast! Also love how affordable they are. Kids can come in with a buck and get a small tasty treat. The only complaint I would have is that I wish the flavorings I had were more impactful and distinct as it felt like they were more like essence of ube and pandan coconut. However, I totally get they were going for something on the lighter pleasant side. The best compliment I can say is not too sweet! I also got a large Thai iced tea which was standard, nothing crazy. Service: Fast and friendly! They clearly adore their local customers and I wished I lived close enough to subscribe to the club. Ambiance: Quaint and cute. From its salmon colored walls to the warm glow of the globe lights, this place feels whimsical in a down to earth way.
google avatar

Rose D.

Yelp
I tried the original and red velvet cupcakes from Spongies and was pleasantly surprised. Both cupcakes were very reasonably priced at just \$1 and \$1.50. They were incredibly light and airy with just the right texture. I appreciated that they were very light on sweetness. They're not buttery, but I actually like that about them. It makes for an easy snack without feeling heavy. I also ordered an iced coffee and asked for it to be light on the sugar. It came out perfectly. Strong and bold just the way I like it without being too sweet. Overall a great experience. Simple flavors done right.
google avatar

Kayla P.

Yelp
I love this small cafe in China town. It's very cozy and a great place to sit down and chat or relax for a bit. We got the iced matcha latte, bangkok iced tea, and a pandan sponge cake while we waited for our order at yi ji shi mo. The order comes out fast and sometimes there is a line depending on the time or day you go. There wasn't a line when we arrived but it did build up while we were just sitting. I liked the sponge cake a lot and I recommend it and maybe even trying the other flavors! The taste wasn't too strong and the cake was light and fluffy. The matcha was pretty sweet, but personally I love sweet matchas more. The iced bangkok tea was basically thai iced tea with lemons. Super refreshing on a hot day in nyc. This place is also cheap for what you're getting compared to other places in nyc/chains. I recommend stopping by!
google avatar

Morgan K.

Yelp
I absolutely adore visiting New York City because...... I then get to come here to Spongies Cafe for some delicious and freaking good sponge cakes. Whether you are in a rush, doing take out ....or hanging in their cozy dining area to people watch, the immediate aroma of fresh sponge cakes being baked quickly calms you down and reminds you that life is going to be ok....especially after you eat one of these! During the city's daily hustle and bustle, it's easy to get caught in all the distractions but you cannot deny how flavorful, yummy and delicious these sponge cakes really are. They got all types of flavors to choose from and all are delicious! You really can't make a bad decision here! Fernando Ponce Sosa & Sasinee are absolutely masters of their craft and are the best!!!! They are the earliest to arrive and the latest to leave! They also know the most important ingredient of these Spongie cakes are....LOVE! See you here!
google avatar

Brandon Y.

Yelp
After watching a video about this place, I was surprised by the location, moreso because I grew up around that area and never actually went here! It's like, one street off of the main path. It's kind of wild to think what you used to miss out on when you weren't in the know about things. I came by and picked up a strawberry, purple yam,holiday, and butterscotch spongie and each one was only a $1.50. Growing up, I used to get these from bakeries all the time when they were about 80 cents so being at this price in 2025 is pretty damn good. Service was quick and I was in and out in a flash. Giving each of them a taste, the base flavor itself is pretty mild, as is characteristic of chinese sponge cake but the actual texture of the cake is much better than the typical ones I grew up with. It's softer and almost has a little bit of a mochi feel to it, in a good way. Light and airy with a good chew and mild flavor but the flavoring does come out a bit! It's subtle but you do taste it, in particular in the butterscotch one which is definitely my favorite. Overall, a good,cheap, and tasty snack that's basically an elevated version of what I grew up eating. Whether it's a quick morning breakfast or a light snack after school, this is a good place to get the quintessential chinese sponge cake!
google avatar

Joelle L.

Yelp
Yummy sponge cakes and iced drinks for a good price! Stopped in with a friend during a chinatown food run and this spot is just off the main streets making it a good place to take a break from the chaos. I love all the different sponge cake flavors they have here and how they rotate. $1-1.5/ sponge cake which is super reasonable. Staff are friendly and quick to serve guests which is great for when it gets busy. The cakes themselves are soft and bouncy and a good size. The flavors are subtle but still good. I preferred the green tea and black sesame to the fruit ones. I loved seeing so many different classic asian drinks available and grabbed the chrysanthemum tea which was refreshing and exactly what I hoped for. The shop is small but there are a couple seats available. Can't wait to return to try more sponge cake flavors.
google avatar

Mei C.

Yelp
Loved the unique sponge cake flavors from this Chinatown bakery. The decor serves up some cute Parisian Cafe vibes with gourmet coffee and teas and of course the authentic sponge cakes. Got the original/ Thai tea/Matcha/ and Ube flavored spongie cakes and devoured them while seated near the floral decorated window. Cakes are moist and eggy with the hint of the flavored scent- yummy. The price is a bit more expensive than the typical Asian bakery sponge cakes
google avatar

Edna L.

Yelp
More like a 4.5 star review. I've always loved these types of sponge cakes as a child.... But we ever only got the original one. Glad there are other flavors too! I tried the Pandan Coconut and the Green Tea one since I absolutely love other desserts and snacks in these flavors. For Spongies, the flavors are very subtle so don't expect a whole ton of flavor! But you can definitely taste it and it pairs perfectly well with a cup of hot tea, for breakfast or as a snack. Prices are reasonable and service is fast.
google avatar

Emily G.

Yelp
Quick and easy service + payment; cash if under $5 (highly recommend this option, especially since the sponge cakes are $1 for original and $1.5 for the flavored) Cute cafe with seating to enjoy drink or sponge cake there. I tried the original and the banana chocolate chip. Both were quite good, banana one was a little sweeter, but wow can't beat Original. So delish.
google avatar

Stephanie C.

Yelp
Had the original sponge cake, and it was so good. Soft, moist, fluffy, but still somewhat dense and spongy, just lightly sweetened. Also tried the black sesame, pandan, and Thai tea but I liked the original flavor best.
google avatar

Vicky L.

Yelp
If you want to reminisce childhood going to Chinese bakeries full of aromatic baked goods and more, the whiff of the spongies will definitely bring you back down memory lane. The store is small but has a handful of tables inside so you can enjoy the Hong Kong style paper wrapped sponge cakes with a coffee or tea right there or take it to go (12 for $12 original spongies). The original flavor ($1 each) is always going to be my favorite, but they also have other flavors that are a slight upcharge (at $1.50 each, or $18/dz) including pandan coconut (one of my favorites), black sesame (another favorite), green tea, Thai tea, cappuccino, triple chocolate, purple yam, tamarind, strawberry, red velvet, banana chocolate chip, mr.mango, lovely butterscotch, holiday spongies (rainbow sprinkles), or holy chocolate (chocolate with sprinkles). The lines aren't long on the weekday morning times and totally manageable if you're on the way to work and want to grab something quick. However, they will run out of some flavors before noon, so if you are looking for certain ones get there early. Spongies Cafe also rotates some flavors out for new ones throughout the year so it never gets boring. For me, I appreciate the soft, fluffy, and slight egg taste of the original sponge cake and while I enjoy some of the other flavors, the original is going to forever take my heart (and my money). The taste and texture of the spongie here is better than many of NYC's Chinese bakeries and comparable to those of my favorites in Hong Kong. Next time I'm in the city, I'll be enjoying it again!
google avatar

Angela K.

Yelp
Such a gem! Could only try the original because I came in the evening but super excited to try the pandan coconut. It's an eggy cake like sponge that was also served warm. Friendly service and cozy vibes too. Would recommend!
google avatar

Monica R.

Yelp
The perfect New York breakfast ! We had to try the top yelp places to eat and spongies was on it ! They had this amazing beaked sponges of different flavor and we got to try the orginal flavor and the pandan , pair it with some Thai tea and it was just perfection ! A small little location with so much to offer and it gets full throughout the day ! Definitely a must visit hidden gem ! The owner was super friendly and make sure to be available if we had questions!
google avatar

Stephanie T.

Yelp
I've been here a few times and it's always packed! The spongies get sold out quickly. That's how you know it's good. I've tried the butterfly tea and Hong Kong lemonade and both are great. The original spongies are soft and a good dessert or a good breakfast item. I recently tried the banana spongies and it's yummy.
google avatar

Gabriel N.

Yelp
I'm literally so obsessed with the sponge cakes from Spongies, this is only half of my recent Spongies haul. I ate like 3 before I even took this picture. I'm trying to be the number ONE spongies fan FORREAL! Get the Pandan Coconut and Cappuccino Spongies.
google avatar

Ailun H.

Yelp
I love that there is a cafe that specializes in sponge cakes. My friends and I stopped by Spongies Cafe this past Saturday afternoon to enjoy some sponge cakes. The interior is on the smaller side with a few small tables that fit less than 10 customers. They also sell coffee and tea to compliment the sponge cakes. It's 1.50 per sponge cake, which is great pricing! The three of us shared four sponge cakes: Thai tea, purple yam, black sesame, and pandan. Overall, each sponge cake was super soft with a cloud-like texture. Our favorite was the pandan because its flavors was pretty prominent -- a strong vanilla, coconutty flavor with some coconut (?) bits mixed in. The black sesame cake was also pretty delicious, but it was kind of odd to have something nutty and crunchy mixed in the soft, sponge texture. The purple yam one was good, but the flavors were a bit too gentle. The Thai tea one just tasted like sugar, and if I was blindfolded, I wouldn't be able to tell that it was Thai tea. Pretty chill cafe with good sponge cake options. Would love to try other flavors in the future and get the pandan one again! I could eat a sponge cake from Spongies everyday for breakfast with my coffee.
google avatar

Norman R.

Yelp
Yelp says it's the best! So had to try it! Got four! Mr. Mango, Red Velvet, Sesame Street, and Plain.
google avatar

Patrick Z.

Yelp
I LOVE a sponge cake like I used to get these all the time in Houston they're so fun to eat. Originally we were gonna get one each but then we saw the extensive flavor list and went a bit crazy... I got THREE! First flavor: Red Velvet. This was really good. I wouldn't really equate the flavor to be red velvet but whatever the flavor was I liked it! Second flavor: Thai Tea. A bit of a let down not gonna lie. I didn't get any thai tea flavoring in this one and it was pretty dry. Sad because this was the one I was most excited about. Third flavor: Banana Chocolate Chip. EXCELLENT! This one was fire!!! Banana flavor was on point and the chocolate chips were super mini but at the right ratio. Sponge was moist!
google avatar

Julia L.

Yelp
(This is a 4.5 star review) I ran to spongies this morning on my way to work to grab some sponge cakes for a coworker's birthday. Truthfully, I stopped it solely due to convenience, given my commute, but I'm very happy I did. The woman behind the counter was very kind and gentle. I wasn't sure which flavors I wanted, and she suggested a few. The spongies are $1-$1.50 which is an amazing price for what they are. They're also individually wrapped. I ended up ordering original, pandan coconut, triple chocolate, black sesame, green tea, and purple yam. I didn't get to try all of them, but they all received good reviews from my coworkers who were astonished by how fluffy they were. Definitely a hidden gem! (I unfortunately forgot to snap pics of the cakes in my rush)
google avatar

Jeff M.

Yelp
Spongies Cafe 121 Baxter St. New York, NY 10013 Pandan Coconut Sponge Cake Sprinkles Sponge Cake The light, airy cake had a puffy texture. It was not too sweet, but not too bland. The sponge cake tasted just right! The sprinkles cake added more design instead of flavor. The coconut flavored cake gave it a small, but effective flavor boost.
google avatar

karina k.

Yelp
The sponge cakes are very good and fresh and very very reasonable. Thank you so much for making these fluffy cakes affordable bc after flying in and getting a rental car only to have no parking in nyc it's nice that this place helps us feel we are getting something great for the money. The cakes range from $1 to $1.50 which beats any Chinatown bakery. So many flavors like holiday sprinkle, strawberry, banana h chocolate chip, Mexican jackfruit, purple yam, blueberry, triple chocolate. Love then ambiance also!
google avatar

Barbara J.

Yelp
Delicious sponge cakes and a variety of flavors. Very affordable top Yelp sp cute little seating area. No restrooms would be a negative.ot.
google avatar

Kathleen W.

Yelp
I've passed by this place a million times and decided to finally try it as a small dessert after lunch. The inside is small but homey, with a list of all their sponge cake flavors on a poster. Though there was a long line? The service was quick. I decided to try the Thai Tea and Pandan Coconut flavor cakes while my friend got a whole box of various flavors. The cakes were super moist with a light airy texture. The Thai Tea one had a very very light Thai Tea flavor that I wish was a little heavier. The Black Sesame one that I sampled from my friend's box had a stronger flavor with a nutty sesame taste. She reported that the Green Tea one was also too subtle but the Cappuccino one had a stronger flavor. Overall, a great place to get HK style sponge cakes but I wish the strength of their flavors were more consistent.
google avatar

Pamela L.

Yelp
Having eaten Hong Kong style sponge cakes since I was a little girl, I was super excited to try these that have been trending all over IG, TikTok & Youtube. Menu has 12 flavors (some seasonal). I decided to choose 7. Here are my top personal favorites. 1. Triple Chocolate (OMG!! I need to go back and get a dozen of these) 2. Green Tea (for all you Matcha lovers, this one's for you) 3. Original 4. Chocolate & Banana (wished the banana flavor came through more) 5. Black Sesame 6. Pandan/Coconut (highly recommend if you like this flavor. It's not my fave but I had to try since it's one of their best sellers) 7. Purple Yam (Ube flavored) Fernando who hails from Mexico (owner & baker) uses fresh ingredients from local grocers in the Chinatown area. The texture in these sponge cakes is incredibly pillowy soft and not as dense as some others I have tried. Even after having one 3 days later, it was still very soft. Goes great with coffee or tea. I had to run across the street to Kam Hing Bakery where Fernando has worked for 3 decades since he was 14 before opening his own shop to get a sponge cake to compare. Fernando puts a Mexican & Chinese spin on his. Imo, Spongies Cafe takes the crown. Shop is small with a few tables. Large drink menu available. Super friendly staff. Constant line with fresh sponge cakes coming out of the oven. Original Spongie: $1.00 Flavored Spongies: $1.25
google avatar

Vy T.

Yelp
We got the original and the pandan coconut for $1.50 and $2 respectively. They were not too sweet and the portion was a good size for the price. The original has a strong eggy flavor, which I really like. The pandan coconut was subtle and delicious. These little treats live up to their hype!
google avatar

Marie S.

Yelp
I was craving something sweet and was recommended to try their sponge cake, which is only $1.50. I choose the red velvet sponge cake. It was soft, fluffy, and absolutely delicious. The shop itself is really charming with beautiful décor and cozy seating, it has a coffee shop vibe where you can sit back and enjoy desserts.
google avatar

Bonnie T.

Yelp
The value of Spongies Cafe is absolutely worth it. Almost insanely worth it. The mini sponge cakes are $1.50 a pop and come in a very vast array of flavors that are up to anyone's alley. You get the classic flavors and derivatives of them, think chocolate, strawberry, etc. But you also get the more nuanced Asian inspired flavors as well: black sesame, coconut pandan, purple yam, etc. I got four spongies and devoured them down in a snap. My own personal favorite was the coconut pandan, which had actual flakes of coconut in it. In this economy, that's rather hard to come by. The flavor was divine--not too sweet, fragrant, and nutty to the lightest degree. The sponge cakes were sooooo airy, soft, and you could bite into them straight up or take your time and pull their fluff apart bit by bit. Each way to eat them is satisfying. Staff are super nice and quick. I can't say much for the drinks as I haven't tried them, but they seem to be on the more affordable side, which I loved. There's pretty limited seating: 4 tables(ish) that might accommodate one larger party and smaller areas for groups of two. Most people seem to be okay with grabbing their treats and taking them to go. You get a discount if you buy a dozen of the original (which seems to be THE move if you want to be the popular guest at a potluck style get-together). Regardless, I'll be back anytime I'm craving a light and airy sweet treat in Chinatown. Definitely feel like this would be perfect as a little midday snack or right after your caffeine boost, whether with a latte or some kind of milk tea. Please stay open forever!
google avatar

Timothy L.

Yelp
I saw the origins of this place on either Instagram or YouTube and loved the story of how this place came about (def recommend looking it up before you go)! My friend and I were quite stuffed so we stopped by and only got 1 to share... only to later regret not buying many more as this was probably the best sponge cake we've had - very light and fluffy, and very special given that they have different varieties of flavors. I never really appreciated Hong Kong style sponge cakes until I tried this place realizing how much they tried to incorporate new and unique flavors into it. We came on a weekday so it wasn't so busy inside, but I imagine this place is a spot for locals/regulars. Ample amount of seating inside. Would come back!
google avatar

Hawkin C.

Yelp
The owner used to work across the street at a bakery that makes sponge cake. He makes original sponge cake and in many different flavors. The cakes are light and taste like flavor it is listed. We ordered one of each flavor that was available for the day. This is a good change from just having a plain sponge cakes.
google avatar

Victor C.

Yelp
Tried the pandan coconut, black sesame, and mango sponge cakes and the iced Vietnamese coffee. The black sesame cake had the best flavor, while the pandan coconut was very subtle. I could see bits of mango in the mango cake but the flavor was very faint and bordering no mango flavor at all. All the cakes were moist and very fluffy. The coffee was slightly watery but relatively cheap for a large cup so it got the job done. Overall I would come back for a quick, cheap, and fluffy sweet treat when in the mood.
google avatar

Mounir E.

Yelp
Adorable little spot known for their original sponge cakes, called Spongies which come in a wide variety of flavors. My description to these treats are spongy, fluffy, light, and airy, they literally melt in your mouth, almost like cotton candy. Just a heads-up: two or three probably won't be enough to go with your drink! There's limited seating available if you want to sit down. I also ordered a coffee, which was surprisingly good. Prices are affordable too.
google avatar

Karan L.

Yelp
A nice change to the typical sponge cake (that you can get across the street funny enough). A large variety of flavors and very quick service. Overall the staff is very nice, once I came near closing and they were more than welcoming for us to grad some sponge cakes while they were closing. I love how their flavors change seasonally and every visit has a new set of things to try. They also have some drinks (I loved their iced tea) and a small seating section outside. Sometimes it's too crowded to sit down at the 4-5 mini tables they have outside, but overall the shop is a cute little spot that I love to stop by to quickly grab some sponge cakes, each visit lasting less than a minute. My personal favorite is the pandan sponge cake which normally is always there on the menu. I would wish for the sponge cake wrappers to be labeled or something similar as when I grab 4-5 I have a hard time which cake is what without tearing it open and attempting to guess based on taste. Each sponge cake is delightful and less than 2 dollars, a nice dessert for each meal. There is a minimal 5 dollar charge for credit cards, so bring cash if you only want one or two. Once I did get a pumpkin spice sponge cake and the inside wasn't fully cooked, I found myself eating raw batter and did have to throw it away, but outside of that one negative experience I look forward to trying new flavors here.
google avatar

Andrew B.

Yelp
Love their sponge cakes, if you like some cakes, you will too Smiling polite and helpful staff, great sponge, and really cute little shop.
google avatar

Kathleen S.

Yelp
Previously a Kam Hing sponge cake loyalist, I have to admit that Spongies Cafe's sponge cakes are excellent. The flavored sponge cakes that I've tried have been even better since they use noticeably good ingredients leading to more distinctive and flavorful taste. Such pillowy soft, fluffy, moist, and not too sweet yumminess. I've tried the black sesame, pandan coconut, cappuccino, and green tea. I loved that the black sesame actually had some black sesame seeds (besides black sesame powder). The pandan coconut sponge cake was subtle in its pandan flavor, but I think well-paired with coconut. I could also taste the slight bitterness of the green tea sponge cake, which along with the pandan coconut, was my favorite. I'm definitely inclined to return to try Spongie's fruit-flavored varieties. The cafe has a welcoming and pleasant ambience for dining in. The owner radiated kindness and friendliness.
google avatar

Tony C.

Yelp
Just as good as the original famous place across the street and some of our party felt like it's more moist. It's slightly cheaper as well
google avatar

Jessica L.

Yelp
I'm always right around the corner from here. My friend loves here more than the one across the street. To me they both pretty much just taste like sponge cakes. Nothing special about it. But they do maintain their consistency about it.
google avatar

Kyleigh D.

Yelp
The sponge cakes here are a 10/10! The texture is very satisfying and the flavors are delicious. I would highly recommend the pandan sponge cake!
google avatar

Ka V.

Yelp
The pandan coconut is my favorite, but we've thoroughly enjoyed all flavors from Spongies! A must stop every time we're in the area. My husband loves the blueberry flavored sponge cake but they don't always have it. We've also really liked the red velvet, banana chocolate chip and the chocolate with the sprinkles on top (my kids' all-time fav!). Small but a nice little spot with a couple tables inside. I always see at least one or two people inside each time I visit and get at least 5 cakes when I don't have cash on hand - $5 minimum credit charge. Service has always been quick and the people behind the counter are nice.
google avatar

Tiffany L.

Yelp
This is a great spot to rest and have a quick snack and drink to replenish your energy. That's exactly what I did with my friend when we were overly ambitious with our Chinatown food crawl. The sponge cake at Spongies Cafe is a classic and their drinks are a great price and a great refresher. There are a lot of different sponge cake flavors and they're really cheap, making it the perfect snack and the perfect spot to catch a quick break.
google avatar

Stacy T.

Yelp
Across the street from Kam Hing. Word on the street that this is actually the OG. They have multiple rotating flavors in this little shop. I have tasted many of them already. The biggest difference from Kam Hing is that this one less sweet and the "flavored" spongies tend to have little bits in them. For instance, the mango spongie has mango pieces, the strawberry spongies has strawberry pieces. I like to go here just because its not as sweet as the other one. The spongies are equally soft and fluffy.