Wo Hop Restaurant

(212) 566-3841

15 Mott St (Mosco Street and Worth Street)
New York, NY 10013 40.7141 -73.9988

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Civic Center, Downtown

Hours:

24 hours

Price:

$

Last updated 9.29.09

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Cheap Eats

Cuisine:

Chinese

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Wo Hop Restaurant

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Wo Hop's fluorescent-and-linoleum grotto is pure time-machine New York. Droll blue-jacketed waiters dispense schtick and fortune cookies to tables of raucous eaters, while streams of New York's finest line up for takeout. Glossy photos of unknown "celebrities" adorn the back wall. Weary of duck feet and fermented tofu? Put down those chopsticks, and brandish your fork proudly as you plow through the unregenerate Cantonese-American classics that have been served here for years. Don't expect culinary magic, though: Flavors harken back to the era when the two main varieties of Chinese restaurant…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
There's another Wo Hop down the stairs that's owned by the same owner (it's address is 17 Mott Street).
Know Before You Go:
There's another Wo Hop down the stairs that's run by the same owner (it's address is 17 Mott Street).
The Extras:
If both Wo Hops are full, Hop Kee next door is exactly the same in every way.
What to Drink:
Coke in a can--always!
ambiance
87.5% positive
  1. “rather pay for a good ho-down chinese than for the decor & dishes.”
  2. “would also say that this isnt the best place to go with more than 4 people and certainly not if you are looking for any ambiance.”
  3. “love the Chinese food in LA, but I can never find chow fun or fried rice made the way it's made in NY, especially at Wo Hop.”
  4. “Not a romantic place to bring the wife, girlfriend or business colleague but if you want to impress as far as food, this is no better than this Asian delight.”
  5. “upstairs is more comfortable & ordering is quick (they do want turnover).”
  6. “At first I was reluctant because of it's underground, harried location, but that all disappeared once I tried the food and met the wonderful service staff.”
  7. “Great atmosphere.”
  8. “Love the pictures, they really add a great atmosphere.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “We really enjoyed the food and the hot tea.”
  2. “Where else can you order your takeout and be served a Tsing Tao beer on the house while you wait?”
food quality
85.71000099182129% positive
  1. “As far as cheap Chinese food goes, Wo Hop is the best I've had in a long time.”
  2. “It might not be the 'prettiest' place in Manhattan, but Wo-Hop does serve up some of the best Chinese food in town.”
  3. “rather pay for a good ho-down chinese than for the decor & dishes.”
  4. “Don't be nervous when you walk into this simple underground establishment, the food is outstanding!”
  5. “DO NOT order American Chinese food there.”
  6. “The food is very affordable and the service is quick.”
  7. “Everything was delicious, from their soups to their noodles.”
  8. “We really enjoyed the food and the hot tea.”
  9. “The best thing about it is after U finish eating then U can walk across the st. and play some VIDEO GAMES at Chinetown Fair and put a quarter into Street Fighter Alpha 3 which is my favorite game after a good meal.”
  10. “the food was great and plentiful.”
  11. “The wonton soup was excellent and so was the chicken and brocolli.”
  12. “They have the best fried dumplings and spare ribs, also they serve real big plates - all the food you can eat!”
  13. “You go there when you want fast service and good New York City Chinese food.”
  14. “Unbelievable Chinese food at an affordable price.”
  15. “Good food, icy cold Tsing Taos and comical surroundings.”
  16. “good food cold service”
  17. “best dumplings- ribs and black bean sauce you'll ever eat.”
  18. “As a Chinese I knew I wasn't going to get authentic chinese food because when I entered I saw that none of the customers were Chinese.”
  19. “Steamed Dumplings: The meat inside was still frozen and the tips were dry as if they were froze unpacked and then after 1 month taken from there and dumped in boiled water for 2 seconds.”
  20. “Great food, horrible service.”
  21. “The service might not be the best, but the food definitely hits the spot.”
  22. “I've never had bad food there.”
  23. “Excellent food.”
  24. “love the Chinese food in LA, but I can never find chow fun or fried rice made the way it's made in NY, especially at Wo Hop.”
  25. “Everyone that I went with agreed that the food was the best they've ever had.”
  26. “dont forget about the crispy noodles - yum yum”
  27. “all the food has that authentic chinese flavor.”
  28. “Once you order your food, you'll look around and desire other people's orders, so take your time ordering.”
  29. “awesome food.”
  30. “The service is a total joke, they act like your wasting their time, BUT the food is amazing!”
  31. “What could I say the food is great, even though the sign in the Mens Room says "Employee's Must Wash @$$”
  32. “Also open 24 hrs, so good for that after hours 4th meal.”
  33. “Always delicious.”
  34. “This little place is the most amazing food Ive ever had.”
  35. “went anyway because I don't really mind American Chinese food and also I had heard how great the food is.”
  36. “Trust me, after annual trips to Hong Kong, there is a huge difference in taste between legit chinese food and the stuff we eat here.”
  37. “Bad food is bad food no matter what goopy sauce you put on it.”
  38. “The chicken wings are awesome.”
  39. “love the food and is totally worth the effort to get there.”
  40. “The other places may have more space, better lighting, and nicer staff, but Wo Hop's has the best food.”
  41. “Not a romantic place to bring the wife, girlfriend or business colleague but if you want to impress as far as food, this is no better than this Asian delight.”
  42. “This is not haute cuisine, but the food is tasty and cheap.”
  43. “The food was inedible.”
  44. “The food kept coming and the service was friendly and fast.”
  45. “At first I was reluctant because of it's underground, harried location, but that all disappeared once I tried the food and met the wonderful service staff.”
  46. “They will be open and the food will be great!”
  47. “moved to the mid-west six years ago and miss the great food they have.”
  48. “food is still good after all these years.”
  49. “And if incredible food at cut rate prices is what you want, get in line and enjoy the best Chinatown has to offer.”
  50. “It's an ironic statement (probably unintended) about the Carnagie Deli and other tourist traps with good but not unsurpassed food.”
  51. “When there is 0 chinese in the place, that means the food is not authentic.”
  52. “I've been going to this joint since I was two, and they have the best food ever.”
  53. “The steamed dumplings and egg rolls were very good.”
  54. “Two can eat great food for just about $20.00.”
  55. “Sesame noodles were very good and different, not the thick peanuty sauce I am used to.”
  56. “live on Upper West Side, and even though Wo Hop is so far away, I still go only there when I want some good Chinese food.”
  57. “The food is poor.”
  58. “Everyone was extremely friendly and fast to help us order and get our food.”
  59. “This is without a doubt the BEST Chinese food for the money.”
  60. “The dumplings and ribs were devoured and the string beans in garlic sauce were fresh and spicy.”
  61. “This is what original good food is all about!”
  62. “Theres a huge difference) is one of the best noodle places in the city and offers some great NYC Chinatown Chinese food.”
  63. “We've had bad chinese food but this was probably the worst.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “Price, taste, variety - like to eat chinese then you must go.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “would also say that this isnt the best place to go with more than 4 people and certainly not if you are looking for any ambiance.”
  2. “read the previous reviews and wanted to check out this great hole in the wall restaurant.”
service
81.82000160217285% positive
  1. “The service is a total joke, they act like your wasting their time, BUT the food is amazing!”
  2. “Great food, horrible service.”
  3. “Once and a life time experience, great environement and service.”
  4. “can't believe people rave about this place!”
  5. “The other places may have more space, better lighting, and nicer staff, but Wo Hop's has the best food.”
  6. “good food cold service”
  7. “Once you order your food, you'll look around and desire other people's orders, so take your time ordering.”
  8. “You go there when you want fast service and good New York City Chinese food.”
  9. “would also say that this isnt the best place to go with more than 4 people and certainly not if you are looking for any ambiance.”
  10. “Their service is fast, people there are friendly, and they have lots of visitors' pictures on the walls - that's something nice too.”
  11. “Everyone was extremely friendly and fast to help us order and get our food.”
  12. “The food kept coming and the service was friendly and fast.”
  13. “One thing though go into the lower resturant the waiters are very friendly I swear you will have an amazing time, my friends and I will actually go in to the city just for the steamed dumplings at 1am.”
  14. “The service is terrible.”
  15. “The waiters are friendly, and the prices are decent and unbeatable.”
  16. “The waiters are nice and awesome.”
  17. “The walls are filled with pictures of people who look vaguely like famous people, but it's not actually them.”
  18. “At first I was reluctant because of it's underground, harried location, but that all disappeared once I tried the food and met the wonderful service staff.”
  19. “The service is wonderful and always comes with compliments (the call me the next miss america!)”
  20. “The service might not be the best, but the food definitely hits the spot.”
  21. “The food is very affordable and the service is quick.”
  22. “You have to ask for it, then explain it to the waiter who will give you a weird look but then write it down)”
value
88.88999938964844% positive
  1. “As far as cheap Chinese food goes, Wo Hop is the best I've had in a long time.”
  2. “it was the worst 10 dollars i have ever paid in my ENTIRE life.”
  3. “Unbelievable Chinese food at an affordable price.”
  4. “SUM IT: You can try the other expensive fancier places, but if you miss this you won't be missed as this place has it's own following.”
  5. “Theres a huge difference) is one of the best noodle places in the city and offers some great NYC Chinatown Chinese food.”
  6. “have eaten here twice, and I love it, they have the best Peking Duck I have ever had, and at a reasonable price.”
  7. “The waiters are friendly, and the prices are decent and unbeatable.”
  8. “Trust me, after annual trips to Hong Kong, there is a huge difference in taste between legit chinese food and the stuff we eat here.”
  9. “love the food and is totally worth the effort to get there.”
  10. “The food is very affordable and the service is quick.”
  11. “suggest going with a big group cause the portions are huge and there's enough to go around to everyone with plenty to spare.”
  12. “This is without a doubt the BEST Chinese food for the money.”
  13. “This is not haute cuisine, but the food is tasty and cheap.”
  14. “Best cheap Chinese ever!”
  15. “The portions are HUGE and the prices are very, very reasonable!”
  16. “There are many non-Chinese that dine here for ridiculously cheap prices and huge heaps in terms of portions.”
  17. “And if incredible food at cut rate prices is what you want, get in line and enjoy the best Chinatown has to offer.”
  18. “price is great.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “As far as cheap Chinese food goes, Wo Hop is the best I've had in a long time.”
  2. “upstairs is more comfortable & ordering is quick (they do want turnover).”
  3. “The food is very affordable and the service is quick.”
  4. “As long as you are not spooked by cramped seating areas you'll love this place.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/16/10

Still great after three decades

by Firesideprinting at Citysearch

I first went to Wo Hop as a young 20 something back in the early 80s. It was a favorite for a late night bite. I went back again last week when I took my kids to the City. They loved it. I still love it. I've never had bad food there. Always delicious. The chicken wings are awesome. My entree last week was pork with string beans. I couldn't eat enough. At some point I had to stop, but I didn't want to. My daughter raved about her chicken with French mushrooms.

The general ambiance would be characterized as "memento clutter". There are photographs, shirt patches, business cards and notes covering the walls. Some new, some old. It's always interesting.

There is a sign in the restaurant that says they've been there since 1938. Success lives on. It's a different, but great dining experience. I'll be back the next time I make it to NYC.

  • Pros: The food
  • Cons: Limited seating
3 Star Rating: Average

10/25/09

Small, but delicious plates

by drjvo at Citysearch

Ask for the Szechwan orange Beef.

  • Pros: Food tasty
  • Cons: Small, Curb appeal 2.5/5, Service too fast 3/5
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/24/09

Great Chinese at a Great Cost

by djegan87 at Citysearch

Unbelievable Chinese food at an affordable price. The store is located in the heart of Chinatown on Mott St. Prices are equivalent to that of a McDonalds. Two can eat great food for just about $20.00. Highly recommended from someone who sees themselves as a conuesser of Chinese restaurants in the NY Metropolitan area.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/25/09

Wo Hop and Hop Kee, Best American Style Chinese Food in New York. (Downstairs Wo Hop only, not the upstairs one)

by JoFinkle at Citysearch

Do not be fooled by the upstairs Wo Hop. I went there once and deeply regretted it. The downstairs Wo Hop is the quintessential American Style Chinese food in New York City. Wo Hop and Hop Kee are widely regarded as the two best in the City. They are right down the street from each other, but after going to Wo Hop, I've simply never felt the need to even try Hop Kee. It couldn't possibly be any better. (I'm going this weekend though, so I may eat my words.)

The walls are filled with pictures of people who look vaguely like famous people, but it's not actually them. It's an ironic statement (probably unintended) about the Carnagie Deli and other tourist traps with good but not unsurpassed food. It says that you don't need actual celebrities to endorse your greatness. There is nothing special about Wo Hop except the food and with food like that, it needs nothing else.

Don't be intimidated by the occasional long lines, they move deceptively quickly.

And don't expect anything fancy, just everything that's right about what Americans refer to as "Chinese Food".

  • Pros: Food, ironic decor
  • Cons: Not exactly a classy joint
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/06/08

Worst Chinese Restaurant I've ever been

by sunara at Citysearch

I decided to go for dinner with my husband and son tonight but I couldn't imagine I was making a mistake.

After reading the reviews here we headed to Wo Hop. When we got there they told us to choose a table but most of them were still dirty from the previous people.

Anyway we sited and ordered the follow:

Steamed Dumplings: The meat inside was still frozen and the tips were dry as if they were froze unpacked and then after 1 month taken from there and dumped in boiled water for 2 seconds. We didn't eat them.

Chicken Fried Rice: a little burned and too much soy sauce.

Chicken with Cashew Nuts: The chicken was rare and the only thing i could eat was the cashews.

Beef with garlic Sauce: My husband ate the broccoli only.

Chicken Lo Mein: I asked my son to eat only the noodles because i didn't trust the chicken freshness.

We left place after 20 minutes and got some slices of pizza from Little Italy.

  • Pros: free tea
  • Cons: bad food and service

The Details on Wo Hop Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • fast service
  • love place
  • very reasonable price
  • bad chinese food
  • best wo hop
  • nice waiters
  • noisy cafeteria style
  • best fried dumplings
  • recommended highly
  • famous people
  • huge difference
  • very good sesame noodles
  • fast everyone
  • great atmosphere
  • more comfortable upstairs
  • fresh string beans
  • good hodown chinese
  • best spare ribs
  • huge portions
  • excellent wonton soup
  • best cheap chinese
  • great spot
  • great new york city chinese food
  • great meal
  • best black bean sauce
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