XO Kitchen

I used to love this place, but the food and service has gone done a lot since the last time I came here. We ate the spareribs in black bean sauce, chow fun, and the bokchoy, which were all ok — not as great as before but acceptable. However, when I saw a small BUG in the chow fun, I didn’t want to make a fuss over it. It is New York after all, and small bugs are inevitably crawling in any kitchen. However, when I asked a server to bring me new plates and chopsticks, she was pissed and audibly sighed that I was making her do her job. That really pissed me off, how incredibly unprofessional and insulting. They also never refilled my tea.
On top of that, the bill has an automatic 15% gratuity on the menu items and tax. Happy to give 20% tip, but this place did not deserve it. Tip should always be optional depending on the service, and unfortunately, their service lacked. We were also only a party of two, which made no sense why tip was mandatory.

Whenever I’m in Chinatown for groceries I always stop by this place for lunch. The food is good and cheap! For $ 5.50 you could get yourself a nice bowl of congee. Lunch specials range from $ 5 – 7 and you could never go wrong with that. The dimsum is also pretty good. The siomai and hakao are what I usually get. The service is what you’d expect from an establishment in Chinatown– mediocre at best. Go here for the food, not the service. During lunch and dinner hours the place gets wicked packed and there’s usually a wait. So if you’re going with a big group, come a bit earlier than the dining rush hours. Otherwise, if you’re going by yourself, it’s relatively easier as they’ll seat you at the bar facing the busy chefs preparing everyone’s food.

After vacillating between potential ratings, I’m settling on a 3. Why all the yo-​yoing over this modest-​looking Chinese restaurant in Chinatown? Read on.
XO Kitchen makes an outstanding meal that makes you say stuff like, «Wow, this is good!» (Pro) and «Wow, I thought this would be way more expensive» (Pro² — you know how I am with my patented P2P, Price to Portions ratio). It’s a nice menu, too, mixing standard Chinese restaurant fare with staple dim sum dishes that are cooked on-​spot — shrimp suimai are a particular standout (Pro).
So why not the prized Merlin 5? A few things:
First, there are some oddly inflexible dishes. Our group (which was 100% AZN — a Mandarin from London; two from Sydney; two Indians from India; a Vietnamese from Vietnam; and yours truly, the airhead provincial from Los Angeles — imagine my saying that in Spanish) wanted some minor alterations on dishes like chicken on some dishes instead of beef. They were not very receptive to most of these requests. We later discovered this was because those particular dishes were pre-​prepared!!! Does this mean it just got popped in a microwave? I hope not. Neg for the inflexibility.
Second, I got drymouth within an hour, which is usually a sign of excess sodium and MSG. To XO’s credit, there wasn’t too much grease on the stuff, but I felt like I’d been walking on sand dunes within an hour and thanked the OG upstairs that I’d packed some water. Not a fan of excess salt (STS! STS! STOP THE SALT! STOP THE SALT!) and especially MSG.
Third, and finally, what is it, 1982??? No credit cards. I was relieved I’d gone to the ATM earlier in the day, else I’d have been in a «pickle’ when it came time for the bill.
What did we eat? All the dim sum is great, as is the chow fun. Lamb chops so-​so, but draped in way too much sauce. There’s a rice casserole tomato dish that’s so-​so and may have been a main source of my drymouth. Sweet rice thing wasn’t my kinda thing, but if you like sweet rice, you’ll like it. I’d stick to the dim sum above all else.
Will I come back? I probably will if I want a cheap eat in Chinatown and don’t want to wait for cart dim sum. But with so many other options, it’ll probably not be for a while.

This is my all time favorite asian cuisine restaurant in chinatown. The environment is always upbeat and lively, and the restaurant extends to the back to a larger area. The employees come quick and they all have a great manner.
The food itself is always so mind-​blowing. Their pan fried dumplings are my favorite. Crispy on the outside, and so flavorful on the inside. The last time I came here, I got the pan fried dumplings, dough fried noodle, spicy chicken curry over rice, baked fish with cheese, clams and congee. The spicy chicken curry is so delicious, the curry is not overly spicy but enough to give each bite a kick, with potatoes, tomatoes and chicken. The baked fish and cheese was mindblowing, especially the sauce that was baked with it! Everything else was very satisfying. I also recommend the cheesy rice dishes.

I hardly come to Chinatown now but when I do, I head straight up for some good old Cantonese food. XO Kitchen may not look like the über traditional Cantonese restaurants but they still serve some of the classic dishes like soy sauce fried noodles and young chow fried rice. They also have some Hong Kong style and fusion and everything on their vast menu looks amazing. Their ma po tofu is excellent as well. They have smaller tables in the front and larger tables in the back of the restaurant. Beware, portions are quite huge.

Stars: 3.5*
The Hong Kong-​style café is my go-​to spot when grabbing a meal in Chinatown. On this visit, I came as a group of four during the dinner rush and the wait was about 20 minutes. There are a few bigger tables in the back, but your best is to come in smaller parties of 2 – 4. Once seated, you’ll notice the walls are entirely plastered with pictures of off-​menu items. In addition to the actual menu, you’re bound to pick something that interests you — it just might take a while to figure it out!
Lucky for me, I always know I’ll start off with the Japanese-​style pan-​fried dumplings ($ 5 for 6) as an appetizer to go along with whatever entrée I’m in the mood for. The dumplings are super tasty and really plump, filled with pork and fresh shrimp wrapped in a thin layer of dumpling skin and pan fried on all sides. It’s then drizzled with a sweet soy sauce that you’ll find yourself dipping into after every bite — unless you’re being bold and eating each dumpling in one bite.
For my entrée, I had the Taiwanese-​style chicken cutlet over rice. It’s a big piece of chicken cutlet covered in a savory meat sauce over a plate of simple egg fried rice with a soy sauce-​flavored hard-​boiled egg and some bok choy on the side. This will definitely fill you up.
I’m honestly not sure what makes the dumplings Japanese or the rice dish Taiwanese, but overall I came away satisfied. I’ve also gotten the more traditional HK-​café items such as cheesy baked rice/​spaghetti dishes and the wonton noodle soups.
Service was only okay and the waiters come off as disinterested and are not overly engaging /​friendly — they only come when summoned to order food/​refill tea or when you ask for the bill. Speaking of the bill, not sure when it started, but there was a 15% gratuity already included (ironically, there are signs at the front counter that say tipping is encouraged). Also, it’s cash only.
But good thing for XO Kitchen, the service won’t stop me from coming back for more dumplings!

I always come here whenever I need a quick and low cost meal. There are a lot of quick eat Hong Kong type dishes that you’ll here, from breakfast menu items to noodles and soups.
The staff are mostly tentative and kind. There are lot of menu items, not only do they provide a menu, but they also have postings all over the walls to help you see special dishes they have available.
I highly recommend this place for a quick and tasty meal without hurting the bank.

My favorite restaurant for Dim Sum. Always love the pan fried noodles and fried dough in rice crepes. Inexpensive and tastes good. Very modest setting.

Nice small place that opens from 8 am in the morning to 11:00 pm at night.
Went for dinner, tried the Wanton & Beef Brisket Noodle Soup, Kung Po Chicken & Rice and some Choy Sum.
First thing to know is that there is space at the back that is a bit less frantic and then there is also counter top for solo eaters.
The place serves Asian cuisine is the best to describe it, there is mostly Chinese food, and then some Korean and Japanese, and then some Asian fusion.
Be bold and brave and try something new. The Wanton was extremely good and giant size, but the beef brisket and tendons are hit and miss, some were very tender and some were not.
The Kung Po Chicken’s favor is spot on. Will definitely be back.

Authentically Chinese from the food, customers, atmosphere, to restroom cleanliness. Happened upon here because nearby restaurants had 2 hour waits. Immediately upon walking in, you’re squished with other hungry customers, because the waiting area is tiny and personal space is clearly not an option here.
Being a party of two and family style dining, my dad and I couldn’t order too many dishes. We got rice rolls with fried cruellers inside (chang fun), Shanghai style fried noodles, Japanese style dumplings, mango pudding, and a yogurt/​tofu soup dessert. The rice rolls were something I haven’t in many places, so we had to try it. They were perfectly soft and slimey, and paired with a sweet sauce. I don’t know what made the dumplings Japanese style, but my guess would be because the whole dumpling was fried. Instead of just the bottom, like for pan-​fried dumplings.
One thing to observe about the decorations is that every square inch of the walls are covered with pictures and prices. Further overwhelming the atmosphere and validating their authenticity. I probably spent a good 10 minutes just staring at the walls items trying to select something.
While the lack of space, loud customers, and questionable food practices are rampant here. this experience was actually very comforting and reminiscent. Will be coming back here whenever I’m feeling nostalgic for some REAL Chinese food.

Nice authentic Chinese food– although I did order a Korean-​style dish plates are pretty big so they can easily be shared.
Our group all shared so I got a little of everything. Definitely get the dumplings!
The menu can be a bit intimidating, but the workers there were very friendly and helpful.
3.5 Stars.

I don’t even remember how many times I’ve eaten here. But every time I’m here no matter what day and time, it’s always so busy and packed, at least in the front sitting area. Sometimes it’s packed by the cashier counter area and even spreading into the vestibule. A lot of people order to go as well.
I went on a Friday at noon, and we got seated right away at a rather bigger table than usual for two. They give you their tea, which I was never a fan of. So we decided to order their fish congee, it’s something I get that quite often. Along with the fish congee, we ordered the XO rice noodle, also something I always get if I get the congee. The sauce with the meat and peppers spread over the rice noodle is just too good to describe. We decided on one last dish to order, and that’s the baked pork chop with cheese over rice. I have to say this is the best and a must at this place. I got it the first time I ate here and will continue to get it, it’s just that good. The fish congee was just like usual, but I’ve always disliked one thing. The ginger was cut so badly, so thick probably thicker than the fish. The XO rice noodle was as usual in taste, but to what I remember there’s suppose to be two strands of choy sum, only got one this time (maybe it’s getting too expensive to put two? I don’t know). One of the reasons I always get the baked pork chop with cheese over rice is because they give a good amount of rice and another reason is there’s a lot of cheese over the pork chop and rice. But this time, the rice was loosely put on the dish, with lots of space and there wasn’t enough cheese (personal opinion because I love cheese).
From just this time, I would’ve given a two stars, but since I’ve been here plenty of times and will probably continue to come and order the same stuff, I give it an average of all the times I’ve been here and there you have it, a three stars. And that’s not even commenting on the staff. They have a lot of people working but always feel like they’re just standing around and sometimes even chatting away. Tea (never cared for it but I get thirsty too) is never filled after you finish and you end up having to ask them yourself. So I think three stars is already very high.

I’ve been coming to XO for years! Maybe once a month or so. Total comfort food at great prices and just so nostalgic. They have a staggering variety of noodle and rice dishes. My vice. Carbs all day. Dimsum all day.
Some of my favorites –
shrimp rice noodles
watercress dumplings
pan fried taro cake — so crisp and starchy, mm
baked fish casserole
curry fish over rice
curry seafood noodles (do you see a pattern?)
I used to love the Japanese fried dumplings too before I gave up meat.
They have photos of their dishes on every inch of wall space available so no worries if you can’t decide based on the menu itself. Just point!
One negative — their bubble teas kind of suck– they use the powder mix and I’ve become such a snob ever since all those natural tea spots opened up. The bubbles are also never right.. Either too soft or too tough.
Service is straightforward but quick. This place is cash only, and they’ll remind you with a sign at every corner. They also put an auto 15% gratuity on the bill btw.

I’ve been here before but I guess the times were not so memorable for a review.
However, this particular visit inspired me to write a review but no descriptive words come to mind as I try to pen my thoughts all down. How does one write in a polite but honest way that the better decision of the night would have been not to eat here at all?
Is there any polite way to say that my dish of stewed beef with vegetables over rice felt very fatty almost cold and the dry rice did nothing to make up for it at all? How about how I never ever push food away unless it’s really unimpressive?
I wouldn’t come here again. The service was fast fast fast but almost too fast– made me wonder– how long the food has been sitting here to unimpress me.
My friend’s sliced beef with veggies was not terribly bad but my other friend’s veggie Lo mein made me wanna cry, too.
XO XO,
Tina

Typical Chinese place. They have really good Japanese dumplings (ironic, I know) and the soy bean milk was refreshing. However, the vegetable lo mein was bland and definitely a mistake. Outrageously, they charged us a 15% gratuity for two people. I’ve never been to a Chinese place that included gratuity, even if it was just min. I would’ve tipped at least 15 anyway, but it was weird for a Chinese place to this.

I like the breakfast menu since I eat heavy for breakfast. The price is good and most of the dishes here are very flavorful.
Ordered:
Special rice crepes (Kau kei lai Cheong) — a lot of ingredients combined in the noodle. Flavorful and freshly cooked.
Japanese seared gyoza– a little disappointed since it was over cooked plus it was not seared. They fried it! The flavor remained but I prefer seared which I had it for over 10 years in the past.
Congee– boat congee is their popular item. The congee was smooth and I really like the combination of the ingredients.
Service: attentive to good
Cleanliness: good
Food: average to good
Note: nice reminder restroom sign. Patrons must have left their belongings in the restroom a lot! lol.
Overall: 2.5

What can I say about another Grade A restaurant in Chinatown? Their dim sum is delicious!!! The food is also reasonably priced. Each dish is about $ 3 to $ 4 average but the portion size is decent. They have all the typical dim sum dishes ranging from shu mai, hargow, steam bun, rice noodles (shrimp or beef), fried dough, sticky rice, fried dumplings, taro and carrot cake, congee (meat and seafood kinds).
This place is small and gets very busy during weekends especially Sundays when parking is more flexible, tourists and folks locally comes. If you come here past 9:30, you may have to wait for seatings. No, there’s no reservations either. Because the place is small, there is no dim sum cart. However, on the positive side, because there’s no dim sum cart, food is prepared hot and fresh.
Service is okay. They are quick with the dishes but they never come back to ask if you need anything else after they deliver your food. They assume all Asians speaks Chinese but that’s all Chinese restaurants in Chinatown because the service workers don’t speak English well. Lol, don’t be offended because I’m Chinese myself. It’s just that I prefer speaking English because my Chinese is very broken.
There are many other dim sum spot in Chinatown but this by far is one of the best!

Am I really in New York’s Chinatown? Never had dim sum as disappointing as this. I was buying it back for my grandma and after a bite of each dish, she sadly shook her head and put down her chopsticks.
The traditional must-​gets dishes were heart breaking…
1) steamed shrimp dumpling (har-​gao)
— frozen mushy shrimps were used, destroyed the texture and flavor of authenticity
2) steamed meat dumpling (siomai)
— appearance was beautiful, it was extremely large, double the size of normal siomai, but the marinated meat and filling was no where near what siomai should taste like.
3) steamed shrimp/​beef rice noodle rolls
— the key to judging this lies in how thin and smooth they can make the wrap. It turned out to be rather thick and bland.
Bottom line: if you don’t want to put down your chopsticks in the middle of the meal, look elsewhere for authentic dimsum. Grandmas know best.

The Hong Kong-​ness of this place is off the roof and I love it! The moment I entered, aromas of familiar Cantonese food engulfed me and made me want to try everything on the menu! However, my eyes were set on the Baked pork chops over rice with cheese, which is what XO is known for. Similar to other Cantonese establishments, the section for ordering take-​out is in the front while seating for dining in is in the back. One downside is that the section for take-​out is kind of small so the entrance gets congested from time to time. I recommend calling in your order and then picking it up later to expedite the process! The servers, while not the nicest, were efficient at what they do and mainly spoke in Cantonese, further adding to the Hong Kong vibe.
I thought that the baked pork chop over rice that I got was delicious! The rice is not just ordinary rice but has scrambled eggs mixed in as well, making the rice more flavorful. The tomato sauce that they layer on top of the rice was spot on! In the sauce, there were also peppers. I don’t know what they did to the peppers to make them taste so good! They were so plump, juicy, and sweet! I got this dish as take-​out for work so obviously it didn’t taste as good as if I had eaten it there right away. However, I still found the pork chops to be very tasty and juicy and the cheese to be very complimentary to the rice.
Overall, this is a great place for tasty Cantonese food that won’t break your wallet. The baked pork chop over rice that I got was $ 7.50 and left me stuffed! Extra points for a super Hong Kong environment that made it seem like I was actually in Hong Kong for a split second!

Great bargain for a really fulfilling meal. Try their cheese baked rice with pork, its their bestseller!
Just a friendly warning, they will automatically add 15% gratuity into your bill. So don’t be alarmed if your bill comes out to a larger amount.