01/14/08

Great dim sum and congee

by dleung92

I only go to this place for their congee. Their dim sum is also good. If your looking go and do take out there, you might find yourself in this crowd that is rude and aggressive therefore you should either sit down and eat or make sure no one cuts in front of you as some Chinese people don't care and cut you. Tip: Be aggressive when ordering, move up front if you can...

• Pros: Congee is the best in Chinatown
• Cons: When doing take out you have to wait a long time as you have to fight the crowd as they are also fighting to get their order in.

12/23/07

Worst dim sum in the universe

by cwmmh

Hop Shing/Chatham Sq restaurant is by far the WORST dim sum place I've been to. The floor was filthy, with bits of napkins and garbage being shuffled around when people walk by. We got there around 12.30 on Sunday and didn't see any carts serving food. We asked the waiters for shiu mei or har kow and were told "No more. Wait, later." After 30 minutes of waiting, there was still no food in sight. We decided to leave and since we weren't served any food, we didn't leave a tip. After we left the restaurant, one of the waiters chased us down and demanded a tip. I am NEVER EVER going back to Hop Shing. The place is unsanitary, the waiters are rude, and they ran out of dim sum to serve. There are way to many other good dim sum places to choose from. My husband & I ended up going to Jing Fong, where we know that the food is always good.

• Pros: Cheap price
• Cons: Filthy restaurant, rude waiters, did not have food

06/15/07

The delicious bakery and dim sum parlor in this Chinatown relic makes for a worthwhile history lesson.

by Contributor

With its wood paneling and red vinyl booths, Hop Shing's interior is pure Edward Hopper. The "No Smoking" sign is the only reminder that you have not been transported to some infinitely more colorful past. An OTB parlor two doors down assures a steady stream of picturesque clientele--the cast of a Cantonese production of "Guys and Dolls," maybe. The families lining up by the counter are there to buy bags and boxes of sweet and savory pastries, including some of the best pork buns and egg custard tarts in the city. Dim sum is served every morning, with a single creaky cart making its way slowly around the dining room, offering simple and delicate dumplings. Get a cup of sweet coffee and linger for a while, nibbling your way into another time.

02/25/06

Dim Sum quick bite!

by sherrieszeto

Dim sum in the morning hours. Many locals drop in to get breakfast / dim sum to eat. Usually full of people standing in front of the counter trying to get their orders taken. The dim sum taste ok, if you have a craving for simple / quick dim sum. Though their menu seems to offer alot more then just dim sum. For a quick snack, yes but if your looking for the real tasty dim sum, go somewhere else.

• Pros: Quick dim sum

01/15/06

Simply the best

by drwfood

Best pork buns in Tri-State area bar none. Also try the Cha shu or beef chow fun, dry style.

• Pros: good food, inexpensive
• Cons: crowded

02/16/03

Best Of Chinatown

by contempler

Don't come to NYC Chinatown looking for pork fried rice...you will be disappointed. Don't come to NYC Chinatown if you tell your friends that you'll try anything and everything, but you mean chicken and pea pods. Chinatown is an opportunity to experiment with food, and no place does it better than the Chatham Square Restaurant. Fresh steamed sea bass with a hint of ginger, salt and pepper squid, beef with bitter mellon, steamed lobster with minced pork, duck in plum sauce, snails in black bean sauce...the list is endless. If you wake up in the middle of the night dreaming of food...this place can make it to perfection the next day. Sitting at your table, watching the dishes being brought out to the other customers, inspires you to over order. Don't worry, a party of four eats like royalty for about $60.00.

12/28/02

The best!

by wise2374

You don't go for the decor, which makes you feel like you're in a real Chinese noodle house. Everything is incredibly cheap and delicious -- even some of the more authentic "adventurous" stuff.

Their hot and sour soup, for some reason, is the best I've ever had.

One of the best values in the city, if you can find the place.

11/30/02

best dim sum

by battistini

These are the finest dim sum in the USA. A secret treasure that I am glad is not more popular. The large dim sum filled with pork and cashews is their masterpiece. You will not taste its equal elsewhere so savor every morsel.

• Pros: food, cost
• Cons: digs

09/08/02

how do they do it

by fleckstein

great cantonese food at prices so low you couldn't match it if you made it yourself

• Pros: authentic cantonese, try new things, great dim sum
• Cons: the bathrooms