My go to hk cafe spot when I want a super hot plate of baked rice/spaghetti and a refreshing iced lemon tea. Eating here gives me some of the most homey vibes, the owner is super nice and checks in on you if everything's good or if you need anything. Refills anything as he comes by, 10/10 service! Definitely come for the baked rice or spaghetti dishes but the other things on the menu are good as well! I usually get a pork chop in tomato sauce over rice and the portion size will def fill you up, 2 large pork chops a heavy dose of carbs, cheese and sauce, what's not to love about that? Any time I come I'll order a lemon iced tea and maybe another to go as well. Something about it just hits the spot every time. read more

Orchids Cafe - Lemon ice tea - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Orchids Cafe has my go-to spot in the Ingleside neighborhood. It's a cha chaan teng-style spot. Kevin, the owner, is genuinely one of the kindest people I've dealt with at any restaurant -- he remembers regulars, checks in without being intrusive, and clearly cares about the experience, not just the transaction. The food backs it up. The pad kra pao chow fun noodles is a Thai-Chinese fusion of flavors...that peppery, garlicky basil stir-fry flavor works beautifully with the wide rice noodles instead of the usual rice, and it's got real heat if you want it. The salted egg yolk calamari is the other must-order: crispy, rich, a little savory-sweet, and not greasy the way that dish can sometimes turn out elsewhere. Their milk tea is awesome (and approved by my aunt who grew up in Hong Kong) It's the kind of place that nails the comfort-food basics but also has a few genuinely creative dishes that keep me coming back. Five stars, easy -- go say hi to Kevin while you're at it. read more

Orchids Cafe - When you ask the owner Kevin to be your photographer for a childhood friend catch up--30 years in the making. - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

I went to Orchids Cafe around 2 PM in the middle of the day, and it was pleasantly quiet and peaceful inside. The atmosphere was casual and friendly, making it a relaxing spot for lunch. The menu has lots of choices, really. I chose the baked pork chop over baked spaghetti. the cheese that came with it, flavorful in the sauce. also got the Hainan chicken, which was a great contrast, especially with the generous amount of fragrant ginger oil. Love this oil! So yummy and salty! Drinks~ The lemon iced tea was incredibly refreshing and delicious. Generous amount of lemon slices in the drink. Mmm Thanks! I'd come back to try more read more

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Just had dinner here and it was amazing!!! We ordered some hk milk tea, the salted egg yolk calamari and fries, chicken cutlet with curry, and a baked pork chop with fried rice. Everything was really good. We came around 7:50pm and was quickly seated. The man that was working(the owner maybe) gave great service and made the experience even better. 10/10 would recommend everyone to try this hk cafe! Vibes are your typical hk cafe in sf. Great for a chill dinner and yap session with friends! read more

Orchids Cafe - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I've had their Thai basil pork rice countless times over the years, and it still tastes just as good! The quality has never gone down. This time, I also got to try the tomato & egg over rice. It was a little sweeter than expected, but still really tasty. The eggs were soft and silky, the beef was incredibly tender, and they even gave us two complimentary drinks, which was such a kind gesture. Will be back soon! Cheers! read more

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I love hk style tomato sauce baked pork chop. I think Orchids Cafe is one of the best ones I've had. I like Skyline Cafe's too but not sure if it beats Orchids. For my own curiosity, I ordered baked pork chop rice from orchids cafe and cafe orchids. I was wondering if they were the same restaurant. TLDR = Orchids Cafe is WAYYYY better In the pics attached, Cafe orchid is on left or top. Orchids cafe on right or bottom. Orchids cafe is wayyyy better. Pork chop is grilled, they add cheese, and the tomato sauce is addicting. Not sure what they did but it's just better. The other one is just bland sweet tomato sauce. Nothing special about the pork chop. Orchids Cafe tastes way better and they give you more. Great service as well ! Definitely not the the same restaurant. If they were, the other branch needs to step it up. read more

Orchids Cafe - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great food and service. Complimentary drinks. I enjoyed the fishes aquarium- good vibes read more

Orchids Cafe - 10/10 for chicken curry with complimentary drinks. Great food - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

We had our family dinner at Orchids and Kevin (owner) was most hospitable. We ordered a variety of dishes: Appetizers- salted egg York chicken wings, calamari, pot stickers Mains: Thai basil pork chow fun, baked tomato sauce pork chop over rice, baked ham and sweet corn, greens, steamed fish, beef tongue over spaghetti, hainanese chicken with rice, and so many more to feed our party of 20. Drinks: lemon ice tea sweetened and unsweetened (for those who are monitoring our A1C), milk tea, and honey lemon tea. The menu is varied and there's something for everyone! Everyone's tummies were super happy at the end of the evening. Took home at least 16 boxes of leftovers- portions are generous. Kevin is super friendly and provides great service! Orchids has a welcoming atmosphere perfect for family and friends. Thanks for a lovely evening of gathering and good eats! read more

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Another good meal at Orchids Cafe. No wait on a Sunday at noon. Since the restaurant was slow, I chatted with Kevin, the owner. He is a nice guy and grew up in SF just like. He remembered me from my last visit and gave me another free lemon ice tea. I'm not used to receiving free drinks and therefore tipped accordingly. My curry pork chop spaghetti $18 tasted good. It was a lot of food. Good times. read more

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Pork chops crispy and good portion. Thai basil pork perf amount of kick, not too spicy! Service was good. The owner is very helpful and making sure everyone is taken care of. Glad to stop by this hidden gem. Solid food and def hit the spot! read more

Orchids Cafe - Thai basil pork - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Orchid's Cafe is one of those neighborhood gems we find ourselves returning to again and again. The food is remarkably consistent, the portions are generous, and their Hong Kong milk tea is exceptional--honestly, even better than many we've had in Hong Kong. We sometimes stop by just to pick up a milk tea to go. On our most recent visit, we tried the baked beef tongue over rice and were delighted by the dish. The beef tongue was incredibly tender, with a wonderful texture and rich flavor. The tomato-based red sauce was beautifully balanced, topped with just enough melted cheese to add richness without becoming overly heavy. The fried rice underneath added another layer of flavor and texture and brought everything together beautifully. It was a deeply satisfying dish, and the portion was so generous that we packed half to enjoy for dinner. The pig ear appetizer was equally good, with just the right amount of heat and that wonderful cartilage crunch. The sesame chili oil was the perfect finishing touch--fragrant, savory, spicy, and incredibly addictive. Another standout was the Thai basil stir-fried pork over rice. It had proper *wok hei*, complemented by the fragrance of basil and just the right amount of heat. There was a lovely complexity to the flavors and textures, especially paired with the jasmine rice. Again, the portion was substantial enough for another meal. The presentation is also worth mentioning. Every dish arrives beautifully plated and thoughtfully composed, with an attention to detail that makes the food as appealing to the eye as it is to the palate. It is an unexpected level of refinement for such a relaxed and welcoming neighborhood cafe. What makes Orchid's Cafe especially meaningful to us, though, is the warmth of the place. Kevin always welcomes us as though we are old friends, and that hospitality makes every visit feel special. Orchid's Cafe truly is a hidden gem, and we feel very fortunate to have it in our neighborhood. Coming here feels less like dining at a restaurant and more like being welcomed into an old friend's home--where the food is comforting and thoughtfully prepared, the milk tea is always worth coming back for, and you leave already looking forward to your next visit. read more

These are legit, giant pork chop steaks grilled to perfection in the classic, HK-style fashion on a bed of tomato sauce and egg fried rice. It was perfect with a warm cup of ling cha (honey lemon tea) on a chilly, foggy, and rainy SF day. The salted egg calamari was also a unique treat that I have never seen anywhere else and was good - large slabs of meat! This was a taste of the O.G. HK style cafe right here in the heart of SF! They were not skimping with the portions and were very generous! First thought was that I would spread the word to family and friends who would enjoy this authentic taste. They take credit card and Apple Pay! They even had the sports games on tv - basketball, football, you name it. There was plenty of room too in this spacious restaurant also with clean, spacious bathrooms - a godsend. It is also nicely situated right across from City College CCSF and right across from Whole Foods, so it is perfect for walking and checking out the local businesses. They do have a student discount on weekdays! Parking is a bit tight as you may need to just park a bit farther. read more

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I like the variety of food here. Did take out of the baked fish and tomato beef bake but came home and it was dry. The rice soaked up the sauce. Dine in is best for the baked dishes. I got a free milk tea on the house which was nice. . Will come back and try other items. read more

Orchids Cafe - Baked fish and Baked Beef in tomato sauce takeout - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

They're always super quick, friendly and the food is great! I've been here a few times and have doordashed from them as well, all the items are pretty tasty. I'd recommend the beef chow fun and their curry is amazing too! read more

Orchids Cafe - Oxtail over rice - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Family owned restaurant with good food and good service. Large portions and fair prices. We are regulars here

Amazing restaurant! Loved the vibe and service. The food was absolutely amazing. We ordered the Thai style minced pork with rice. The jasmine rice was cooked right on point and the minced pork was seasoned with right amount of spices and chilies. definitely recommend for people who love spicy and Thai style! The pork chop over spaghetti was also delicious with decent amount of cheese and yummy tomato sauce. The taste is decent and very HK style. Will recommend this place to anyone who wants great Hong Kong or Cantonese style food! read more

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Their Hand Shredded Chicken with Hainanese Rice is probably the most popular menu item! I can see why! Tender chilled chicken with very tasty rice, steamed cabbage, and ginger sauce. My only gripe was the saltiness... Shanghai Soup Dumplings were decent! Lots of soup. The pork filling was just average. The Pork Dumplings With Yellow Chives were better in my opinion! Juicy seasoned pork and the wrapper was a good texture. Definitely come here for a hearty meal and big portions! A hidden gem in the area. The owner was really kind and gave us complimentary Hong Kong Lemon Tea too! read more

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The food was absolutely amazing, I typically don't leave reviews for places but this spot was awesome. Fair prices, massive portions, the waiter was super polite and even gave us free lemon iced teas to try (which were also amazing). We're leaving here with lots of leftovers and we might need a nap in the car before driving home great good, nice people, check this place out! read more

Stumbled across this hidden gem randomly and it was a hit! We had a large party of 10 and they accommodated us wonderfully on a walk in basis. This family owned business really strives for excellent customer service and treated us so well. The owner was very attentive to our kids table and went above and beyond to make sure their needs were met. He even brought us extra beverages on the house. Food portions were huge and generous. I had their shredded hainan chicken, scallion pancake, and HK milk tea. All were delicious! My father in law had the beef tomato dish and that looked really good too! Highly recommend for some solid HK eats read more

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This is a perfect spot for HK Milk Tea and HK style cafe food. We dropped by often on weekend for lunch. The interior was comfortable and service was fast and attentive. Milk Tea 5/5 Beef and Runny Egg Chow Fun 4/5 (slightly too salty) Baked meat spaghetti 5/5 Chicken wings and fries 4/5 Mapo tofu over rice 5/5 (nice and spicy) This is becoming our weekend go to lunch spot when we crave some HK style cafe food. read more

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Awesome Hong Kong restaurant (Cha Chan Teng), the food has some much flavor! The menu has a lot of variety, from baked dishes, rice plates, and noodles. The baked dish($17/$18 for meat, $21 for fish/seafood) takes about 15 minutes which is pretty quick for baked dish, the pork pieces were large and tender. The tomato sauce is not too acidic, tastes great and cheesy flavor. My favorite dish was the XO sauce stir fry spaghetti with seafood ($21), great peppery flavor, and quality seafood items. The restaurant can get busy, but the restaurant is really clean. Overall, great variety of items that taste super fresh and like a home cook meal. read more

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This place continues to impress! Shout out to the crispy chicken chili and Thai basil pork, which are standout choices- but you really can't go wrong with this menu. read more

Visiting both times, I had very positive experiences. The place is family run and the dad is very kind. They provide student discounts with no hassle and he gave me a free drink when I had to wait a couple of mins for a pickup order. The food is reasonably priced and tasty. read more

I'm glad to see this spot has not changed over the years. I came here once with my cousin and I decided to come back as I was craving this particular dish. It definitely did not disappoint. The server was very nice and gave me this yummy spicy sauce when I asked for chili. A nice cozy spot for a solo lunch or break from studying as it's right by City College. Definitely try this place out. It will not disappoint you! read more

Orchids Cafe - Baked Fish in Cream Sauce Over Rice Salted Egg Yolk with Fried Calamari - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's a great place for Hong Kong style dishes. Kevin, the owner, does everything except cooking. His HK milk tea and HK lemon tea hits the spot. Anything that's salt and pepper style are delicious such as tofu, chicken wings, and fish fillets. If you love salted egg yolk then try his salted egg yolk chicken wings. His restaurant is the only one that I know serves thai basil pork chow fun with some heat. His baked pork chop in tomato sauce over spaghetti is also our go to. It's on the same block as Beeps Burger. read more

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We came by for a lunch to try their baked rice. One of my favorite items was the salted egg yolk fried chicken cartilage, a dish I haven't seen elsewhere. The HK milk tea was very tasty. The baked rice with fish came in a pretty generous portion and was very garlicky and tasty. The owner(?) was super nice and attentive. He noticed my son watching the tv and changed it from basketball to a kids movie. Would definitely come back here again and try more things! read more

Orchids Cafe - Salted Egg Yolk with Chicken Soft Bones - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Stopped in around 5pm on a Saturday and found a nice quiet and clean spot to rest. Since it was warm out, the server/owner gifted us some delicious lemon iced tea! I got the salt and pepper pork chops and they were delicious. The batter and crisp on it is perfect. It's a tiny bit spicier than you'd expect but that's iced tea helps soothe you. The only reason I didn't finish my plate was because I was tired and ready to go home- otherwise I would have licked the plate clean. Before we left, we were also gifted two cups of the HK milk tea, which is also incredible. Highly recommend everything I ate, and very interested in trying the rest of their menu! read more

Orchids Cafe - Salt and Pepper Pork Chop with Rice - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Best of the best cantonese comfort food. I got the beef brisket boodle soup and it was incredibly flavorful, lots of tender beef, and delicious rice noodles. The salt and pepper wings are also immaculate, great crunch and seasoning. Also loved the claypot pork chop rice - tender pork and flavor tomato based seasoning on the rice. Service was impeccable, even got server some complementary hot HK milk tea. Spacious interior, pretty modern, very clean. Highly recommend! read more

Despite only coming here ONCE before, many months ago, the owner remembered my friend and me, where we last sat, and even what we ordered! We even got another free milk tea, which was a blessing in disguise. That stuff is incredible and will bring you back to life whether you want that journey or not. I ordered the salt and pepper tofu (excellent and preferable to the salted egg yolk version) and mixed veggies (green beans, broccoli, bok choy). Everything was cooked PERFECTLY. The tofu was crispy and light. The green beans had a perfect snap. Every component was stellar. My friend got the beef and mushroom udon, and she was so blown away that she looked genuinely upset upon first bite. She still raves about how well the mushrooms were cooked, days after dining. The portions are definitely big enough to have leftovers for the next day. There was only one other table dining in when we went (2pm on a Wednesday), but there were regular orders picked up too. I hope Orchids Cafe gets so much business--they really know how to do food right. read more

We got the baked pork chop spaghetti, baked fish rice and bolognese spaghetti, all of them were really good and hit the spot. I'm almost always craving that classic HK style meal and Orchids Cafe really hits the spot. Everything was super hot and tasty. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Don't order to go here they don't give a f bout Togo customers! I ordered and was told 35 minutes when there the guy was nice but told me he can cancel my order as they have not even put it in the queue. Won't be ever coming here again! read more

Came in on Christmas day with an appetite, did not disappoint & surpassed all expectations! Inviting atmosphere and great food (ordered the beef brisket curry dish). Service was also exceptional, would recommend and will be back. read more

Orchids Cafe - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've always passed by Orchids Cafe and wonder what it was like. We'll I finally had the opportunity to try it and it was fantastic. I ordered a backed chicken steak with tomato sauce and rice and it was perfect. The chicken was tender, the tomato sauce was umami and flavorful, the cheese was melty, and the rice was perfectly fluffy. The portion was also very generous. I actually took my leftovers to-go for a second meal. The service was great. During my visit I was attended by Kevin who was really friendly and attentive. So far my first impression has been great and I'm genuinely surprised this spot isn't more busy. Needless to say, I'll be coming back again to try more. read more

Orchids Cafe - Inside - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The food is great I love the Salt and Pepper Pork Chops. Very crunchy and not oily.The Hainese Chicken with the Ginger Oil was really good. The Salted Egg Chicken Wings were really crunchy. I love the new taste of the salted egg twist. The iced coffee is smooth and creamy. Kevin the cashier was amazing he was serving a lot of people all at once but still managed to make conversations with patrons. The restaurant is very clean and organized. I would recommend this restaurant specially if you are looking for something that is different and delicious. read more

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Just to be honest this place is super good ok orchids but the chicken wing is big and it has a lot of blood but it s good

This place is really good. I was skeptical at first because there was only an old man and me and my friend at the restaurant. The main guy taking orders was playing games on a PC which made me even more skeptical because it seems sketchy. After ordering food the portion sizes are pretty good for the price. Sketchy guy also gave us 2 free lemon teas! Overall the price was only about $35 for 2 big portions. Don't judge a book by its cover! read more

Orchids Cafe - Teriyaki Pork Chop with Rice Enoki Mushroom with Beef Udon Soup - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here for lunch a few weeks ago with my bf and my mom for a quick bite & also because I really wanted a nice hot cup of HK milk tea. My boyfriend used to frequent this place and I heard so much about it that I needed to come give it a try and it didn't disappoint! We ordered some HK milk tea, baked pork chop rice, salted egg yolk tofu and chicken wings and the stir fried black pepper beef with spaghetti to share. The milk tea was velvety and not too sweet which is always a compliment coming from an Asian. The baked porkchop fried rice really hit the spot (and I'm usually not the biggest fan of baked porkchop). Nice and saucy and they did not skimp on the porkchop! I also really liked the stir fried black better beef with spaghetti. There was definitely enough wok hay. I thought that the chicken wings were nice and juicy but the tofu threw me off a little as it was a little sour so it might have gone bad. Overall we really enjoyed our meal and will come again when we have a craving for HK food & milk tea! read more

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If you're in the mood from some nostalgic HK Diner fare, check out this great spot right on Ocean. Super convenient, plenty of free residential parking. Food was delicious. We did the baked porkchop and baked fish over rice. There was so much food we had to take a lot home! Milk tea freshly brewed and lemon tea was nice and strong! Will be back to try more of the menu soon! read more

I know there's nothing pretty about HK Baked Pork Chop Rice. While it's a staple dish in HK Cafes that's inspired by a French casserole with British colonial roots... It can look like an ugly blob that will ignite your acid reflux. Orchid Cafe's HK Baked Pork Chop Rice has been a reliable go-to for takeout and delivery. I waited until I could dine-in to take a more presentable pic: https://tinyurl.com/4r5kkrxf. Yea, it's still not a looker. But, it's like Chinese soul food to me... A bed of fried rice studded with soft egg ribbons is layered with savory tomato sauce topped with two juicy pork chops crowned with melty torched cheese. My fav part of the dish is the glossy fried rice with perfectly separated grains. Uncle Roger would approve. The two large pork chops are grilled prior to baking adding a kiss of smokiness. Also, it's a little healthier than the fried version. Their tomato sauce runs salty for me but it's otherwise, a comfort dish I return to esp with Ken Kee closing in late 2021. And, it's only $14.95 ($15.95 on delivery apps) and feeds me for two meals. F O O D Other things I've tried via takeout/delivery (current 3rd party delivery app prices listed below): * Cold Wide Bean Noodles aka Liang Fen ($8.95) Slippery mung bean noodles dressed in a tangy spicy sauce. * Beef Tongue Baked Rice ($18.95) Same recipe as the Pork Chop Baked Rice but with thick meaty slices of beef tongue. The beef tongue could be softer tho. * Thai Stir-Fried Basil Pork w/ rice, broccoli, requested extra spicy ($15.95): https://tinyurl.com/53765pu7 --Paid $12.95 (June 2020 Takeout) Orchid Cafe's take on Thai Pad Krapow, spicy and flavorful ground pork, peppers, and basil served alongside white rice crowned with an omelette. Delicious and extra spicy = burn your bunghole good. * Hainan Chicken Rice ($16.95) Poached yellow feather chicken that's more chicken-y in flavor than your standard chicken but also less meaty. Not a fan of their rice that had a strong coconut flavor (I prefer chicken fat rice). There's no mention of it in other reviews so not sure if it was a one off. It's served with several broccoli florets, zesty ginger scallion sauce, and chopped pickled peppers. * Runny Egg Beef Chow Fun ($16.95) Probably best for dine-in. When I ordered for delivery, the egg was no longer runny upon arrival. Otherwise, the ho fun noodles (wide rice noodles) had good wok hei flavor and ample amount of tender beef. Gotta have it with chili oil! S E R V I C E Kind owner and speedy service. Takeout ready upon quoted times. For delivery, I've seen my order go out within 15-20 minutes upon ordering and receive my order within 35-40 minutes. A M B I A N C E Casual, barebones with orchid purple walls. There's a handful of two-tops and several booths for dine-in. A good chunk of their business seems to be for takeout and delivery so don't be surprised if you/your party have the entire dining area to yourselves. P A R K I N G Street parking can be challenging at peak hours but it's convenient for CCSF faculty and students since it's just a block away. Overall, solid HK cafe and a good option if you're looking for value and hefty portions in the Ingleside/Westwood Park/Balboa/Sunnyside area. read more

Orchids Cafe - COVID-19 Takeout: Thai Stir-Fried Basil Pork w/ rice, broccoli, requested extra spicy | $12.95 - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I was craving HK cafe food and we didn't feel like driving to sunset so I found Orchid cafe on yelp, I had to pickup a cake on Ocean anyways so it was the perfect spot. The restaurant was empty when we got there on Sunday morning, there were a few call in orders, but asides from that we were the only people dining for an entire hour . We got the thai basil rice with omelette, baked ox tongue with spaghetti and cream sauce, salted egg yolk chicken wings, and pan fried dumplings. We also got two HK milk tea on the house ! The food came out in about 20 min. The salted egg yolk chicken wings were super yummy! Hot, fresh, and the chicken wings weren't too overfried. The baked ox tongue was pretty heavy, but the overall dish was tasty. Great place for HK cafe food! read more