New York Dearest
The guide, $35
A place · Bakery · Chinatown · on 1 of my list

Spongies Cafe.

Worth it, says Antonina. True to form, these cakes are light, airy, and downright delicious.

Antonina Pattiz
Antonina PattizI went myself · from my Best desserts in Chinatown
Where Spongies Cafe appears on New York Dearest

It's on 1 of my list. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.

Best desserts in Chinatown

No. 4 on that list
Worth it
  • Cost$2
  • Address121 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Ferdnando Ponce has been churning out Hong Kong-styled sponge cakes since 1992 and doesn’t show signs of slowing any time soon. Ponce opened his shop in 2020 and now sells up to 1,500 sponge cakes a day! True to form, these cakes are light, airy, and downright delicious. Oh, and they’re a mere $2 a pop. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more satisfying selection of desserts in Chinatown at this price.

NYC’s dessert scene is proof that this city takes its sweet tooth very seriously.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
Spongies Cafe
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Spongies Cafe

Chinatown