Chinatown Diner for Clay Pots and Family Meals

Clay pot casseroles and generous family style plates set the pace at Cafe Hong Kong, a snug Chinatown diner on 51 Bayard Street. The no frills room keeps the cooking in view, with diners able to see the kitchen at work. Traditional Cantonese dishes share the menu with an espresso bar, an unexpected counterpoint to the casual setup. Affordable lunch deals and portions made for sharing give a midday table plenty of options, and a free bowl of chicken soup sometimes opens the meal.\n\nCrispy chicken and salt and pepper squid put a couple of specific choices on the table. The squid is prized for its wok hei, a detail that gives this classic dish a distinct finish. Seafood sits beside the casseroles, while the generous portions make a few plates easy to pass around. This is a close quarters, no frills stop rather than a polished dining room, and that straightforward rhythm suits a casual Chinatown meal. Keep the plan simple, arrive ready to share, and let the menu move from seafood to a clay pot casserole.