Hop Kee

[MeLikeToEat]

I recently saw an episode of No Reservations where Hop Kee was featured and have never been. Is the food there as good as the show claims? If not is there a better place, I've heard Cantoon Garden is quite good. If anyone has been to these place before, I would love to hear you opinion since I don't trust yelp too much.

[buttertart]

There's a big thread on Cantoon Garden on this board - it's one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Haven't been to Hop Kee.

[Steve R]

I wouldnt discount it but its not a reliable go to place either. Wo Hop was never anything other than a dive with fond teenage memories. Hop Kee has had moments of glory and I'd guess that, if you know what to order and they want to do it up for you, you'll get good food there. Too many old friends who I trust and have been eating on this stretch of Mott since we were teens (late '60s) swear its good and I cant just discount that. However, for my money, I find it safer to hit NY Noodletown, Cantoon Gdn. or some of the other places written up on these boards.

[uwsister]

I'm not a huge fan of Chinese food so I can't comment personally, but I don't know anybody who eats at Hop Kee sober. It's pretty much like Wo Hop, which might mean good things to some people and bad things to some others...

[GraydonCarter]

This week Anthony's "Holiday Special" closed with a segment where he and Michael Ruhlman join Marky Ramone feasting at Hop Kee. He calls it "Plan B" to a home-cooked Holiday celebration. The "inside menu" included sea cucumber, shrimp with cream sauce, deep-fried lobster with ginger and scallion, and roast duck.

[buttertart]

In my not terribly humble opinion, deepfrying is a crime when perpetrated on lobster. Anything else, OK. It takes away from the lobster taste (crab too).

[AubWah]

i agree thats gross they probly do it to camouflage how long the lobster has been dead

[buttertart]

I wouldn't say that, but it's not a treatment that enhances the taste.

[GraydonCarter]

Based on how Marky Ramone was wolfing down the food (he can really pack it away) you'd think it was heavenly.

[buttertart]

Suum cuique.

[GraydonCarter]

Jedem das Seine