![]() ![]() We’re talking about fortune cookies and they made do a double-take: surprise+2 ![]() Fortune cookies at the end were remarkably good.Servers were quick and polite: service+1, authenticity-1.Crispy noodle crackers: yum+1, authenticity-2.The other items were lackluster and merely served to fill up my gullet. At one point I was questioned if I was trying to get the marrow out (I wasn’t). I went to work, sucking all the meat off the bone, pausing for nothing let alone a little dinner (supper?) conversation. This was the traditional roast duck, covered with the skin and fat, just the way I love it. Now I have to say that I’m a huge sucker for roast duck. A delightful combination, but beware of sharp shell shards.Īt Wo Hop I’ve had a more conservative number of dishes: pork wonton soup with egg, chicken chow fun, and roast duck (server’s recommendation). The best way to eat these is to use the shell as your bowl, mix in rice and the sauce, and dig in. The crabs don’t come fully loaded, but are filled with a modest portion of crab roe. The crab comes with hard shells intact, swimming in a sauce made of chili, egg, and soy sauce. The shrimp, while not cooked to perfection, are jumbo-sized and the nuts add a nice crunch and texture. The twist from normal mayo comes in the form of sweet and tangy. The shrimp come in this white, creamy sauce akin to “Asian mayo”. The two dishes that I enjoyed most were the Shrimp with walnuts and Cantonese crab. At Hop Kee I’ve tasted a handful of dishes: shrimp with walnuts, shrimp with cashews, Cantonese crab, black bean snails, and some others (I eat a healthy amount). Comfort and authenticity advantage: Hop Kee. Exclusivity and hipness advantage: Wo Hop. Hop Kee is lightly decorated, giving off a homey feel, whereas Wo Hop has bright lights and a wall covered with celebrity photos, reminding me more of a diner. I don’t know what kind of delinquent decides to go eat at 3:30, but I was forced to wait a good 20 minutes at that odd hour. Thus, when I went to Wo Hop at 3:30 PM one Saturday afternoon, there was a line coming up the stairs ( signal tourist trap). Hop Kee is much larger and accessible, while Wo Hop has a small dining room fitting maybe 25 people. To give you the physical description, both dining areas are located underground, giving you that authentic-grungy feel. ![]() ![]() Both restaurants have near cult like followings, with debates over which is the better (whose cuisine will reign supreme?) so I had to try them both out to get my own opinion. from Canal and you will find yourself staring at both of them, side by side, large signs standing out from the buildings. Wo Hop and Hop Kee are two titans located in the heart of Chinatown, Manhattan. Suffice to say, I will not be returning to this restaurant.It is a long and arduous debate to figure out which Chinese restaurant is the best and most authentic in any Chinatown area. I do not want any one to have this awful experience. I am writing this review because it seems like it is a common occurrence here and it must stop. I have nothing against leaving a great tip but I have never encountered a waiter being so rude and combative. The waiter was very aggressive and came up to me and demanded I leave a 36% tip. I initially left a 20% tip but they asked for 36%. Same as the reviewer below, they asked for an 18% surcharge and a tip on top of that. My daughter said that we did not give them enough. I went to the restroom and when I came back the cash we paid with was at our table (restaurant ONLY accepts cash). I was quite disappointed with management though. The salt and pepper squid was a little overcooked, seafood pan fried noodles and snails were good. I want to be fair in this review- food was almost as good as I remember. I came with my daughter on Apand had dinner. I have been coming to this restaurant since I was a little girl. ![]()
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