Nom Wah Tea Parlor

All 151 rated mentions, most helpful first

  • Nom Wah is arguably the worst dimsum in all of nyc and is the epitome of a tourist trap. The menu is extremely limited in terms of items and whatever they do have is bland and flavorless.

    H3

  • replying to u/igetlotsofupvotes: Worst one by memory I’ve been to is nom wah tea parlour a couple years ago.

    They gave categorically the worst dumplings ever. They’re the type sold by Chinese takeouts in the suburbs that have a thick, gluey dough. I couldn’t believe they had the gall to serve that.

    H3

  • replying to u/crazeman: I wouldn't bother going to Chinatown specifically for Dim Sum at 5PM. Most of the good spots like House of joy/Golden Unicorn/Jing Fong stop serving dim sum by the early afternoon at the latest. The only places that serves dim sum at 5pm in Chinatown would be Dim Sum Go Go, Nom Wah, or Dim Sum Palace. Pretty much all these spots should be very English friendly since Dim Sum is a breakfast food and Chinese locals won't eat dim sum that late. There are multiple Dim Sum Palace in Midtown Manhattan so another good reason why I wouldn't go to Chinatown for it lol. Nom Wah is the "oldest restaurant in Chinatown", their dim sum is okay/fine, not fantastic. There's frequently a line because it's tourist central there. I do really like their '80s style Chinese cafe decor. Dim Sum Go Go is good but I feel like I'd rather just go to one of the Dim Sum Palaces in Midtown if it's more convenient.

    I did not like their dim sum. Even my non-Asian friends found it below average.

    H2

  • replying to u/jyeatbvg: Haven’t been myself but don’t think I’ve heard a positive thing about this place.

    My one experience was very mediocre, but we didn’t have to wait so I can’t imagine it as the “worst food you’ve had in NYC”. By comparison to our many other great Chinese restaurants, it’s not worth it, but it’s not offensively bad

    H2

  • replying to u/igetlotsofupvotes: Worst one by memory I’ve been to is nom wah tea parlour a couple years ago.

    Nom Wah is absolutely awful. Idk why anyone would ever eat there when there’s so much great food on the same fucking street. Complete tourist trap

    H2

  • replying to u/kissingdaylight: Nom Wah (only the original location in Chinatown) is still good, does dim sum for dinner, and can accommodate that sized group. Everything is made to order so there’s nobody walking around with the carts but the food is good, and fresh.

    quite honestly I thought they served superior versions of many dim sum classics.

    H2

  • replying to u/Realistic_Olive3278: Check out Nom Wah Tea Parlor-classic dim sum in a cool, historic space.

    Bruh…this is not the spot to celebrate a marriage. The ambiance is incredibly depressing

    H2

  • replying to u/nycago: Nom Wah is awful and a tourist trap.

    I don’t think it’s bad tasting food, but it is expensive and touristy.

    H2

  • Their dim sum is very no frills, so it’s kind of a turn off for most people, but you really can’t beat the old timey setting.

    H2

  • replying to u/justflipping: Someone else had the same great idea recently! [Dim sum/chinese recs for thanksgiving day?](https://reddit.com/r/FoodNYC/comments/1gnbosi/dim_sumchinese_recs_for_thanksgiving_day/) My rec in there for Manhattan is House of Joy. Call to double check they’re open.

    I would say the all day dim sum spots are the better option and will be probably more fresh. Places like Dim Sum Palace, Nom Wah, Dim Sum Go Go, AweSum Dim Sum, Tim Ho Wan would be much safer bets to have dim sum available at dinner time.

    H2

  • replying to u/FatOldRedhead: Nom Wah gets a lot of flak for being a tourist spot, but quite honestly I thought they served superior versions of many dim sum classics.

    I think it’s still as good as it always was. I like that everything is made fresh to order

    H2

  • replying to u/Apprehensive-Ad-3392: I’m open to all foods! Just wanted to see if there was any that locals really recommend so I know it’s a solid choice or any that maybe aren’t as worth the trip Here’s the list so far. Writing it out I realise how much food these is and I likely will not be able to try most of it 🙈 Asian Food Okiboru House of Tsukemen Woorijip Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao KazuNori Nami Nori Xi’an Famous Foods Yi Ji Shi Mo - steamed rice rolls Jongro (would love to go but not sure it makes sense to Korean bbq solo) Ahgassi Gopchang Gopchang Story Grace Street Lysée Mei Lai Wah Nom Wah (love the vibes but have never gone yumcha solo and feels a little odd) Diners So the food in these diners may not be that great but I picked what seemed to be the best ones. Just want to live that diner experience once as a Brit haha 😂 Brooklyn Diner USA Westway Diner Bandits Diner + Dive Bistros/Restaurants/Mexican Minetta Tavern Strip House Steakhouse Balthazar Los Mariscos Los tacos no 1 Amy Ruth’s (we don’t have soul food like this in the uk so I want to try but not sure if it’s a must) A Pasta Bar Buvette Le Crocodile La Lanterna di Vittorio Keens Steakhouse (pricer side) Don Angie Carbone (again pricier side) Maison Pickle Pizza/Bagels/Sandwiches Prince Street Pizza Scarr’s Pizza L’Industrie Pizza Katz’s Deli (is it overhyped?) Di Fara Pizza Joe’s Pizza (I know this is an institution but again worth the hype or mainly for tourists?) Popup Bagels Ess a Bagel Leon’s Bagels All…

    Nom Wah isn’t known for their food. Just the vibes.

    H2

  • Or try Jing Fong/Nom Wah/GOGODIMSUM for some dimsum.

    H2

  • The Bacon Wrapped Shrimp from Jing Fong or Nom Wah Tea Parlor are amazing and inexpensive.

    H2

  • Nom Wah is great for some old-school vibes and satisfying dim sum, although it can get crowded and there is certainly better dim sum out there.

    H2

  • Honestly for regular Chinese restaurant overall with everything in Chinatown I’d pick Uncle Lou’s or Nom Wah just because of the history and atmosphere

    H2

  • replying to u/pookgai: Why is Wo Hop so popular with tourist? It’s literally the same takeout Chinese food you can get anywhere across the country.

    Mediocre dimsum and expensive catered to tourist/americans.

    H2

  • replying to u/SadTomorrow869: I regret trying Nom Wah Tea Parlor. I get that it's historic (and the decor/atmosphere are interesting) but I really thought the food was bad.

    Food is just ok, but if you go on a rainy afternoon and get that window seat it’s really delightful.

    H2

  • Los tacos no 1, pastrami egg and cheese from Frenkel’s, Peter Luger (only if you’re into the old style American steakhouse classics, otherwise you’ll think PL’s is boring) Nom Wah Tea Parlor (extremely no frills/classic dim sum), Radio Bakery all very very good

    H2