Hip Hop Chow
New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 674-2469
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Between St. Marks Place and 7th Street
- Directions:
- 6 at Astor Pl; N, R, W to 8th St
- Hours:
- Tue-Sun 5:30pm-11pm
Editorial Review for Hip Hop Chow – by Katie Heffernan
The Scene
Asian hip-hoppers feel right at home in this old-school neighborhood spot, conceived by its Brooklyn-born and Chinatown-bred chef. An artistic air circulates through the small space, where local graffiti isn't sprayed across the room's brown brick but hangs with reverence on the opposing bold yellow wall. Diner-red seats host a handful of patrons, entertained by hip-hop classics, get-to-know-you servers, and two flat screens tuned to funky programs like Chinese dragon costume contests.
The Food
The Southern comfort food, served on sleek white china, mixes its Asian influence with subtlety. Perfectly cooked peel-and-eat shrimp dip in delicious soy sauce-soaked garlic and chunky cocktail sauces, and a bitter bok choy bed balances the ribs' sweet barbecue--but only licorice-lovers could finish the anise-laden oxtail. Gigantic, crisp-skinned buttermilk-fried chicken sticks to the South with home-style cinnamon-topped mac and cheese. For dessert, pint-sized servings of fruit-flecked lychee ice cream hail from the famed Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoReservations are a good idea on weekends, when the crowds pick up.
The ExtrasThe striking artwork on the walls is all up for sale.
User Reviews for Hip Hop Chow
02/28/2007 Posted by vinnyvino
I Loved everything about this place! The decor was mostly dragon paintings with one wall brick, and the other bright yellow, the tv's played nothing but break dancing and the speakers nothing but old school hip-hop. Groups such as De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, etc. The food was like nothing I ever had (I got the waffle and fried chicken). And although it was completely packed when I was there and there was only one waiter who was also a food runner and bus boy, I believe he did a great job. He was friendly, courteous, and always had a smile. It did take us a long time to eat (so long we got a parking ticket), so it ended up being an expensive night, but well worth the atmosphere, and change in the normal drip-drab of every other restaurant in Manhattan. This is my first review so I hope it helps. I read a few other reviews, and they were complaining of grease and loud music. I say they're not young at heart and should have never entered a place called 'Hip-Hop Chow'!
Pros: Loved the tv's playing break-dancing contests (haven't seen those in years)
Cons: Took longer than expected and therefore we got a parking ticket.
02/27/2007 Posted by kchansen
The moment i stepped into this place, we wanted to do a 180 and walk out. We didn't want to offend the waiter/host, so we took a seat and regretted it all the way. The decor and ambiance is quirky at best, but leans on the gimmicky side. First, the service was horrible. Granted, there was just one guy hosting/bussing/serving, but the restaurant was practically empty while we were there. The buzz was horribly non-existent and at times awkward, but that's a whole other story. The waiter repeatedly forgot things like a request for another beer, more napkins, etc. The food was very slow coming out, which was embarrassing considering there was like, 6 people in the dining room. Onto the food - We started with a chicken spring roll, which to my pleasant surprise, was definitely home made. It came out screamingly hot and fresh, and was one of the few wins of the night. For the mains, we ordered the buttermilk fried chicken special. The drumstick and breast that came out was very well cooked and seasoned, and gigantically portioned if you're used to getting fried chicken from any one of the fast food outlets. However, the mac and cheese that came with had too much cheese. Yes, I didn't think it was possible to have too much cheese, but these guys achieved it. The topping of the mac n cheese was made of melted cheddar and panko, but the upper strata took up at least 40% of the dish, meaning that the top 40% was melted cheese and the bottom 60 was made up of the pasta - a bit excessive in the cholesterol dept. The collard greens that also came with the dish were incredibly salty, greasy and seriously lacking in vinegar. I walked away from the table with cottonmouth from the salt (and the waiter had forgotten the last beer request) and an impending case of heartburn from the greasy food.
Pros: 'Home cooked' style food
Cons: Service, Definitely not health food
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