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Lo mein, dumplings & other Szechuan specialties in a basement nook that has sidewalk seating.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 17 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 962-8617
Website: http://wohop17.com/
Menu Photos
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Related Web Results
Wo Hop Chinatown | Wo Hop Restaurant | New York
The official website of the famous Wo Hop Restaurant at 17 Mott St. in New York City’s Chinatown. Since 1938.
Wo Hop 17 (@wohop17) · New York, NY – Instagram
Official Instagram page for Wo Hop 17 located on 17 Mott St. Link to buy our T-shirt below! · @wohop17 in NYC for your old-school, Americanized Cantonese-style …
NYC’s Hidden Underground Chinese Restaurant (87 Years Strong!)
Step into a true New York City legend! Join Jim and Jeannine from Tidy Island Channel as we dive deep into Wo Hop, a classic Chinatown …
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Reviews
E. B.
This is pretty authentic chinese food. Great experience. Some of the waiters are a little rough on the English but be sure you explain what you want and use Google translate if you must. Everything is made to order so be prepared to wait if it’s busy. It’s a small place with only 10 tables but it didn’t seem to be very loud. I ate the Buddha’s Delight for my main dish and it was without hesitation, the best I’ve ever had anywhere. The vegetables were 100% on point and bursting with flavor.
… moreJack Mulvihill
This is a legacy Chinatown basement spot with real history and an undeniably authentic setup. The underground, cash-only, no-frills environment sets expectations for something exceptional. Unfortunately, execution does not match the brand equity. Nostalgia carries this place further than the food does.
Ambiance & Experience
The basement location delivers on character. It feels gritty, old-school, and unapologetically local the kind of place that signals hidden gem potential. That atmosphere creates anticipation. The problem is that the food never capitalizes on it.
Wonton Soup (Standout Item)
This was the clear win. A proper wonton soup should feature a clean, savory broth with depth not greasy or over salted paired with delicate wrappers and well-seasoned pork filling that holds structure without being dense. The broth here was comforting and balanced, the wontons tender, and the overall dish felt intentional. If you order one thing, this is it.
Fried Dumplings
Serviceable but forgettable. Crisp exterior, acceptable filling, but nothing that differentiates it from dozens of better versions across the city.
Chicken Chow Fun
Underperformed. The dish lacked seasoning, and the chicken was dry and tough, suggesting overcooking or low-quality cuts. Chow fun should be smoky, savory, and cohesive. This version landed flat.
Chicken Curry
Another miss. The curry was muted and one-dimensional, with the same chewy chicken issue as the chow fun. The noodle base instead of rice further diluted the dish rather than enhancing it. No payoff here.
Service, Pricing & Logistics
Service was efficient and professional. Prices were reasonable given the location and portion sizes. Cash-only is worth noting but not a dealbreaker.
Bottom Line
17 Wo Hop trades heavily on reputation and ambiance. While the wonton soup delivers, the main dishes fall short of expectations. This is a place to visit once for the experience not somewhere you prioritize for food quality alone.
… moreAmbiance & Experience
The basement location delivers on character. It feels gritty, old-school, and unapologetically local the kind of place that signals hidden gem potential. That atmosphere creates anticipation. The problem is that the food never capitalizes on it.
Wonton Soup (Standout Item)
This was the clear win. A proper wonton soup should feature a clean, savory broth with depth not greasy or over salted paired with delicate wrappers and well-seasoned pork filling that holds structure without being dense. The broth here was comforting and balanced, the wontons tender, and the overall dish felt intentional. If you order one thing, this is it.
Fried Dumplings
Serviceable but forgettable. Crisp exterior, acceptable filling, but nothing that differentiates it from dozens of better versions across the city.
Chicken Chow Fun
Underperformed. The dish lacked seasoning, and the chicken was dry and tough, suggesting overcooking or low-quality cuts. Chow fun should be smoky, savory, and cohesive. This version landed flat.
Chicken Curry
Another miss. The curry was muted and one-dimensional, with the same chewy chicken issue as the chow fun. The noodle base instead of rice further diluted the dish rather than enhancing it. No payoff here.
Service, Pricing & Logistics
Service was efficient and professional. Prices were reasonable given the location and portion sizes. Cash-only is worth noting but not a dealbreaker.
Bottom Line
17 Wo Hop trades heavily on reputation and ambiance. While the wonton soup delivers, the main dishes fall short of expectations. This is a place to visit once for the experience not somewhere you prioritize for food quality alone.
Maling Sun
Upstairs vs. Downstairs? Now I’ve done both! ✅
On a previous NYC trip, I dined in the upstairs expansion for a more “authentic” menu, but this time it was all about the history. We headed down to the legendary basement at Wo Hop for that 1938, old-school vibe.
We chatted in Cantonese with the wonderful staff, who confirmed the local secret: go upstairs for authentic Cantonese, but stay downstairs for the nostalgic “American-Chinese” classics. We decided to stay put in the basement! My husband even took charge and customized a dish that turned out absolutely yummy. . I haven’t seen fortune cookie in since I was little :). So fun!
Being from Vancouver, I’m lucky to have access to world-class Chinese food, so I have high standards—but Wo Hop definitely holds its own for flavour and atmosphere. A must-visit for the history alone!
Secretly, I wanted to dine here as I loved the show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, where Midge Maisel and Lenny Bruce share a scene sitting at a booth with the American bills taped on the wall, like a wall paper.
… moreOn a previous NYC trip, I dined in the upstairs expansion for a more “authentic” menu, but this time it was all about the history. We headed down to the legendary basement at Wo Hop for that 1938, old-school vibe.
We chatted in Cantonese with the wonderful staff, who confirmed the local secret: go upstairs for authentic Cantonese, but stay downstairs for the nostalgic “American-Chinese” classics. We decided to stay put in the basement! My husband even took charge and customized a dish that turned out absolutely yummy. . I haven’t seen fortune cookie in since I was little :). So fun!
Being from Vancouver, I’m lucky to have access to world-class Chinese food, so I have high standards—but Wo Hop definitely holds its own for flavour and atmosphere. A must-visit for the history alone!
Secretly, I wanted to dine here as I loved the show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, where Midge Maisel and Lenny Bruce share a scene sitting at a booth with the American bills taped on the wall, like a wall paper.
RJ A
They have a first floor and basement, we hit the basement. Staff friendly, they seem to have great system serving dishes, staff is friendly and efficient. Food was real good, comfort food went with egg foo young and squid. It was delicious, will go back and try other dishes. Can get real busy. Flavor was on point. Left very satisfied and full.
… moreSandy
UPDATE: I thought that we were going to the ACTUAL WO HOP RESTAURANT. We were actually at THE WO HOP NEXT DOOR. Which is at 15 Mott st. THEY ARE DIFFERENT.
Now I see why no one was hardly in the restaurant and they rushed to get us in the door and seated. SHAME ON WO HOP NEXT DOOR FOR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CUSTOMER WHO Don’t KNOW THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.
***Changed my review from 1-star.
1/12/26 @ 5pm
So let me start off by saying that my parents use to take me here as a child to eat.
This is the first time I have been back since childhood.
I live in another state now, 10 hours away, but I am in NY this week visiting family and thought I would eat here to bring back good memories.
The staff is very friendly, attentive and welcoming.
The restaurant is very clean.
I’m giving 1-stars because the food had no flavor. And I have a few other concerns.
The food came out hot and fresh and looking great.
But it was disappointing.
Also, they are way overpriced for the quality of food you get and the lack of taste.
I don’t mind paying more money if the food is good.
But you’re better off to go to your local corner store Chinese restaurant for better food.
Also, everything is A La carte.
Lastly, it was strange that when they gave us our bill. They crossed out the TOTAL with a pen and wrote in and extra $10. That made no sense. We have no idea what the write-in fee was for. But maybe it was for the TIP???
And they did not do this to Everyone. It was like they targeted certain people, and added a tip/ fee to their bill.
I think that they think that certain people will not leave tips, so they use a pen to write in the tip on the bill.
We were going to tip anyway, so I kind of feel like they have dishonest/ discriminatory practices.
It hurts that a place that brings back so many good childhood memories is now very questionable.
… moreNow I see why no one was hardly in the restaurant and they rushed to get us in the door and seated. SHAME ON WO HOP NEXT DOOR FOR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CUSTOMER WHO Don’t KNOW THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.
***Changed my review from 1-star.
1/12/26 @ 5pm
So let me start off by saying that my parents use to take me here as a child to eat.
This is the first time I have been back since childhood.
I live in another state now, 10 hours away, but I am in NY this week visiting family and thought I would eat here to bring back good memories.
The staff is very friendly, attentive and welcoming.
The restaurant is very clean.
I’m giving 1-stars because the food had no flavor. And I have a few other concerns.
The food came out hot and fresh and looking great.
But it was disappointing.
Also, they are way overpriced for the quality of food you get and the lack of taste.
I don’t mind paying more money if the food is good.
But you’re better off to go to your local corner store Chinese restaurant for better food.
Also, everything is A La carte.
Lastly, it was strange that when they gave us our bill. They crossed out the TOTAL with a pen and wrote in and extra $10. That made no sense. We have no idea what the write-in fee was for. But maybe it was for the TIP???
And they did not do this to Everyone. It was like they targeted certain people, and added a tip/ fee to their bill.
I think that they think that certain people will not leave tips, so they use a pen to write in the tip on the bill.
We were going to tip anyway, so I kind of feel like they have dishonest/ discriminatory practices.
It hurts that a place that brings back so many good childhood memories is now very questionable.
Antonio Madrazo Ibarra
The food was fine but nothing spectacular.
In my opinion the food was fine but not the best Chinese food in NYC. The place is pretty popular and we had to make a 30 minute line before getting a table.
We ordered a vegetable fried rice anda sesame chicken. The rice was fine but in my opinion, lacked a little bit of flavor. The sesame chicken was not good, it had too much sauce and the broccoli tasted like it had been in the freezer for a while. I don’t think Im going back.
The place itself was nice and the service extremely nice.
… moreIn my opinion the food was fine but not the best Chinese food in NYC. The place is pretty popular and we had to make a 30 minute line before getting a table.
We ordered a vegetable fried rice anda sesame chicken. The rice was fine but in my opinion, lacked a little bit of flavor. The sesame chicken was not good, it had too much sauce and the broccoli tasted like it had been in the freezer for a while. I don’t think Im going back.
The place itself was nice and the service extremely nice.
Mona Posti
Do not go here!!
Family dinner. We ordered two kinds of vegetable low mein. Our usual chinese favorite. But in this restaurant the noodles tasted like burned grease. Neither of us was able to eat the noodles. The vegetables were ok. Our child had chicken fried rice. He could not eat his food either. I told two members of the staff that we could not eat the food and definitely we did not want to take it with us. They did not care.
As soon as we paid, they started emptying the table although we still had our drinks. While I used the bathroom, they actually took my daughter’s drink from her and asked her and the child to leave the table.
Advice: do not pay before you are definitely ready to leave immediately. Staff is extremely rude.
Only one unisex bathroom available 🙁
… moreFamily dinner. We ordered two kinds of vegetable low mein. Our usual chinese favorite. But in this restaurant the noodles tasted like burned grease. Neither of us was able to eat the noodles. The vegetables were ok. Our child had chicken fried rice. He could not eat his food either. I told two members of the staff that we could not eat the food and definitely we did not want to take it with us. They did not care.
As soon as we paid, they started emptying the table although we still had our drinks. While I used the bathroom, they actually took my daughter’s drink from her and asked her and the child to leave the table.
Advice: do not pay before you are definitely ready to leave immediately. Staff is extremely rude.
Only one unisex bathroom available 🙁
Joel Hernandez
Wow, the wait to get in was long! Was it worth it? Well the favor was different from the Chinese food I’m accustomed too. Not offensive but definitely different. Egg rolls were amazing! Service was top notch we got along with our server, an instant rapport was created! He was witty, sarcastic, funny and genuine. They can cook to your dietary needs.
… moreDavid Cabanzo
What a classic nyc Chinese restaurant! Very cool atmosphere. The service is quick and servers are super nice. The fried rice was incredible and the veggies but the pineapple duck wasn’t good! It was super sweet and the pink sauce definitely doesn’t help. Maybe next time will get classic dishes not some sort of specials.
… moreJosenny Torres
Authentic Chinese food. Reminds me of back in the days Chinese restaurants. For those that know, know lol. The service is great, restaurant isn’t huge but it’s workable. Spacious enough to not feel on top of the next person. We ordered shrimp and garlic with with fried rice, and shrimp lo mein. Sooooooo good. Hands down the best. Definitely going back. Think I found my new spot
… more