New China Cafe
If you're craving a delicious and satisfying meal in Merced, California, look no further than New China Cafe. Located at 1002 W Main St, this local gem offers a warm, casual atmosphere perfect for both families and groups. Whether you're out for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner with friends, New China Cafe provides the ideal setting with moderate noise and a welcoming vibe for kids.
The menu at New China Cafe is packed with mouthwatering Chinese dishes that are sure to please any palate. One of their most popular dishes is the Chow Mein, a classic Chinese stir-fry with tender noodles, savory vegetables, and your choice of protein. If you're in the mood for something a little extra crispy, the Crispy Noodle Chow Mien delivers a delightful crunch with every bite.
Another fan favorite is the Orange Chicken, a sweet and tangy dish featuring crispy chicken coated in a rich, citrusy sauce. If you're a fan of beef, don’t miss the Beef Chow Fun, a flavorful stir-fry with tender beef, wide rice noodles, and a perfect balance of seasonings. For those who prefer a sweet and savory combination, the Sweet and Sour Pork is a must-try, offering a satisfying mix of crispy pork and tangy sauce.
What really sets New China Cafe apart is its versatility—whether you're looking for a quick lunch, a family-friendly dinner, or a place to gather with friends, this spot checks all the boxes. The atmosphere is relaxed, making it an excellent choice for casual dining with loved ones or colleagues. Plus, the restaurant’s menu is diverse enough to satisfy any cravings, from classic dishes to flavorful specialties.
So, if you're in Merced and looking for great food with a casual, family-friendly vibe, New China Cafe is the place to be.
Reviews
They are cool people. Authentic Chinese food. Watching them on the woks is amazing. It's the only place I'll go to in Merced for Chinese food
1/4/2025, via DoorDash I ordered 6 items to consume while watching Saturday Night Football on my day off. The food is acceptable for a valley restaurant is my assessment.
The food is absolutely delicious, would recommend going however keep in mind there weren't that many staff so the service is a bit slow but they were all really sweet and considerate, it's a very cozy ambience, would recommend going here during non rush hours! Will definitely come back! We got: - fried wontons (gave us a lot, did not skimp out at all) - potstickers (very well stuffed, definitely got our moneys worth) - orange chicken + fried rice + chow mein (well seasoned) - Thai tea - Iced tea
Got seated immediately, not a large crowd but a few parties. Make sure to bring a jacket because it seemed like it was freezing inside. Order included: hot and sour soup, orange chicken, lunch special with sweet and sour chicken, lunch special with general chicken, lunch special with kung pao chicken, lunch special almond chicken, lunch special broccoli beef. Lunch specials came with the entree and chow mein (either regular noodles or could have them fried), wontons, and fried rice. Hot and Sour Soup: very hot when it came out (absolutely loved that!), spicy, and delicious Orange Chicken: nothing too fantastic about it, they had a great crisp to it which I haven't had from other Chinese food places, so I appreciated that. Sweet and Sour Chicken: nothing too fantastic. Wasn't that sweet or sour General Chicken: one of my favorites, had great flavor, had a similar taste to the orange chicken but with more flavor, and had a lot spicier to it (wasn't too spicy, definitely a milder spice flavor) Almond Chicken: nothing too fantastic, the chicken was cooked well and the sauce was good Broccoli Beef: great flavor, beef was cooked perfectly so it was nice and tender, and the sauce was delicious White rice was white rice, as good as you can expect it to be. Fried wontons: loved them! Had a great crunch with the addition of all the other food. Fried Rice: alright, not a big fan of fried rice in general, but were good. Chow Mein: absolutely fantastic! Loved it so much, could eat that as just a plain meal. Had great flavor and all the veggies were cut to a small perfect size to help add to the flavor. Definitely one of our favorite places to eat! Service was great, and our drinks didn't stay empty for long (it got busier as we were waiting so they did get empty at times, but nothing too bad considering the busyness of it.) Our waitress was great with making sure we didn't need anything and that we were happy. Can't wait to come here again! Also absolutely loved that they have the lazy susans on the table, and would fill the soup bowls on it and then turn it around so we could all get it.
I haven't been here in 50yrs...came as a child and the owner used to make me a cheeseburger when it wasn't on the menu. Have talked about trying here for over a decade since we bought back on this side of the county...well V-D Day was the night to try it! Chow mein as I remember as a 5yr old with crispy noodles! Have never found it anywhere else! We will be back!