Business Spotlight: Modern Coffee House
Blog by Cadence Tan, Photos by Kat St. Martin
Since 2023, Modern Coffee House has brought the warmth of a traditional Chinese bakery to Manhattan’s Chinatown. Founded by Sandy, the café offers a variety of freshly baked pastries alongside specialty teas and coffees.
Modern Coffee House was founded by Sandy, who grew up in Chánglè, Fuzhou. After arriving in the U.S. in 1995, she lived and worked on East Broadway, making the opening of her own bakery in the neighborhood a meaningful full-circle moment. Before starting the café, Sandy was a wedding photographer, a job that connected her deeply with longtime community members.
What many don’t know is that she also runs New Century Florist, a flower shop tucked just behind the café, bringing together her dream of owning both a bakery and a florist under one roof.
Since opening in May 2023, Modern Coffee House has been serving a delicious selection of Chinese bakery-style treats and specialty drinks. The menu features classics like egg tarts, pineapple buns, and pork floss buns, all freshly made each morning. Alongside these pastries, the café offers a variety of hot and cold beverages that pair perfectly with a sweet treat. It’s what makes Modern Coffee house a perfect, cozy stop for regulars and new visitors who are lucky enough to discover this nook.
Running Modern Coffee House is a true labor of love for Sandy and her team. While the shop opens its doors at 7 a.m., the team comes in early to begin brewing teas and baking pastries. It’s an early start, but Sandy doesn’t mind. It’s part of the routine that lets her do what she loves every day, which is creating her favorite treats and sharing them with a community that feels like family to her.
When she’s not at the café, Sandy spends time at her flower shop, New Century Florist, which sits just behind Modern Coffee House. The shop is known for using only fresh flowers, and her customers often compliment the beauty and quality of her arrangements.
Being part of the Chinatown community means a lot to Sandy. She chose to open her business in East Broadway for its familiar faces, many of whom she first met as a wedding photographer. Some of those former clients are now regulars at the bakery, reflecting the lasting relationships she’s built over the years. Sandy is especially grateful when people promote her bakery out of kindness because it shows how close-knit the neighborhood is.
Starting a new business in Chinatown had its challenges, especially with so many bakeries already in the area. Sandy wasn’t sure how to make Modern Coffee House stand out at first, but she quickly realized it all came down to quality and care. From the start, she and her team put thought into everything they made, whether it was making the bread a little bigger or being generous with ingredients. “We really prioritize treating our customers well,” Sandy said. She even adjusts the sweetness in her desserts to suit the tastes of the local aunties and uncles, who appreciate that it is not too sweet.
When it comes to Sandy’s favorite items on the menu, she highly recommends everyone to try their Wolfberry Rose Tea, Hot Dog Scallion Bun, and Lemon Cake. And if you visit during the summer, don't miss out on their refreshing Watermelon Slush and Passionfruit Tea, which are some of the top sellers. It’s the perfect way to cool off on a warm day!
Looking ahead, Sandy has big dreams for Modern Coffee House. She hopes to expand, with plans to open multiple locations in the future. More than anything, Sandy hopes the bakery keeps thriving, so even more people can experience the warmth of her pastries and drinks.
Visit Modern Coffee House today and taste Sandy’s delicious pastries and drinks that keep customers coming back. Whether you're a regular or a first-time visitor, you’ll feel right at home in this cozy spot in Chinatown.