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Nom Wah
Master Critic Review
Nom Wah
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A fast-casual offshoot of Manhattan’s century-old Nom Wah Tea Parlor, this Nolita counter focuses on dim sum standards, noodles, and Chinese-American comfort dishes at still-reasonable downtown prices. Self-service kiosks, an open kitchen, and quick ticket times make it a practical stop for soup dumplings and small plates before or after shopping in Soho.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork Soup Dumplings, Shrimp Siu Mai, Sloppy Joe Noodles
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Fast-casual dim sum from the Nom Wah team with self-service ordering and downtown-friendly pricing.
Who should go: Dim sum fans wanting quick, affordable bites near Soho shopping.
When to visit: Weekday lunches or early dinners to avoid tourist lines.
What to order: Pork soup dumplings, shrimp siu mai, sloppy Joe noodles.
Insider tip: Order at off-peak times and grab a counter seat facing the open kitchen.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Nolita; expect metered spots to be competitive, especially evenings. Nearest reliable option is paid garages along Mulberry and Lafayette within a 3–5 minute walk.
Dress code: Casual. Come as you are—shopping attire, jeans, and streetwear are all common.
Noise level: Moderate. There’s steady counter-service bustle, but you can still hold a conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on tourist flow; lines move quickly due to counter ordering and fast turnover.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a brief 5-minute queue.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid options including vegetable dumplings, scallion pancakes, and certain noodle dishes; clarity is good but not exhaustive.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 small plates may qualify, but many dumplings contain egg or pork. Confirm before ordering.
Gluten-free options: Not well-suited; most dim sum items rely on wheat wrappers or soy sauces. A few rice-noodle dishes may work with caution.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, low-pressure meetups than romantic dates. The counter-service format and quick turnover make it relaxed but not intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—this is a walk-in, fast-casual setup with self-service seating. Arriving slightly off-peak ensures an easy counter spot.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for school-age kids who enjoy dumplings and noodles. No dedicated kids’ menu, but quick service and shareable dishes make it manageable for families.
Best For
Better for: Faster, cheaper dim sum near Soho with predictable quality and minimal friction—ideal for solo diners, shoppers, and quick refueling.
Skip if: You want traditional cart service, a broader dim sum menu, or a sit-down experience with stronger tea service and slower pacing.