Reviewing CW Asian Cafe: Chinese cuisine in Katy, TX.

Tucked away in a Target parking lot is a wonderful little cafe called CW Asian Cafe (also known as CW Asian Dishes & Tea Lounge). I’ve gone in here before for some quick bubble tea on my way home after shopping, but I’d never ordered food.

This was actually the first time I’d fully been inside this store; they have always done such a fantastic job with their COVID-19 protocols, not even allowing people to walk into the store all the way. They used to have tables set up across the width of the store, which is where you would have to order and sign your receipts. Being very cautious of COVID-19, I always felt safe ordering from this place because of how many precautions they took. I haven’t seen any other store do this and I appreciated it.

People are now allowed to eat inside, but I still opted to take it home. The woman who took my order was super friendly and got the drink I ordered, a sea salt foam iced house coffee, ready for me quickly so I could drink it while I waited for my order. The tea is served in a different cup than a typical bubble tea; it has a strawless sipping option, which is the ideal way to drink sea salt tea or coffee to get the full experience and flavor of the foam mixed with the rest of the drink.

The taste of sea salt foam sometimes differs from store to store, but theirs was a hit for me. I enjoyed how the saltiness of the foam mixed with the bitterness of the coffee and almost made it taste a bit sweet. The coffee seemed to have been brewed to order and tasted fresh, as did the foam topping. It was almost gone by the time I left the store because I enjoyed it so much.

The store itself is spotless and cozy, with wooden tables and chairs and a TV that plays calming music. It’s the perfect backdrop for a nice dinner with friends. Along the walls, you’ll find tiny, handmade origami stars that have wishes written on them. The stars are strung along like fairy lights and it adds a cute touch to the already inviting atmosphere.

To eat, I ordered the wonton soup and the house mei fun. I didn’t have to wait too long for my food, but the lovely woman behind the counter kept me updated as it was being made. When I finally got my food, they walked it over to me and thanked me again before I left, and I gave my thanks in return. They were very friendly, and it made me happy to have tried their store.

To my surprise, the food was still hot and ready to eat when I arrived home. I didn’t have to reheat it at all, which was a nice bonus. Each item was presented neatly in typical plastic take-out containers, except for the fortune cookie and the extra fried bits to add to the soup.

The mei fun noodles had an incredible al dente texture, and the vegetables were crisp and fresh. It was a large portion, so I luckily had enough for leftovers, which I’m sure I’ll enjoy just as much as I did the first time. The wonton soup had a great broth, and the dumplings were delicious.

I’ve never been so pleasantly surprised by a restaurant before — everything, right down to the little crispy strip additions in the wonton soup, was terrific. I can’t wait to return to CW Asian Cafe.