Nom Wah Tea Parlor

Nom Wah has been open since 1920 on Doyers Street, which makes it the oldest dim sum parlor in the city. Let that sink in. This place has been serving dumplings since before your grandparents were born.

The space is small and retro, with those classic red booths and a counter that looks like it hasn’t changed since the Eisenhower administration. They don’t do cart service here. You order off a checklist menu, which honestly makes it easier for first-timers.

Order the OG egg roll. It’s the original recipe and it’s crispy and porky and perfect. The turnip cake is excellent, pan-fried until the outside is golden. And the shrimp rice rolls (cheung fun) are silky and delicate. Most plates are $5-7. Two people can eat extremely well for $35-45 total.

The downside. It’s become very popular with tourists, so weekend waits can hit 30-45 minutes. Go on a weekday or get there before 11am on Saturday.

Nom Wah has been on Doyers Street since 1920. Let that sink in for a second. This place has been serving dim sum for over a hundred years.

Make no mistake. Nom Wah gets tourists now. But the food hasn’t changed, and that’s what matters.

Opened in 1920 (more than 100 years ago), Nom Wah Tea Parlor is the oldest dim sum restaurant in NYC. You couldn’t miss it if you tried because the line normally snakes the block, everyone eager to try the restaurant’s famed shrimp dumplings and roasted pork buns.

As such, getting a meal at this iconic NYC restaurant is one of the best things to do in Chinatown for foodies. Admittedly, I wouldn’t recommend waiting in line if the wait time exceeds 30 minutes because while the food is good, the restaurant’s history and vibes are the biggest draw.

Chinatown’s unequivocal darling, Nom Wah Tea Parlor, is the oldest dim sum restaurant in NYC. If time isn’t an issue and you’re okay waiting in line (I swear, there’s always a line), Nom Wah Tea Parlor is well worth the stop. The century-old establishment has a menu full of dumplings, noodles and soups that keeps folks coming back. Word to the wise. The egg rolls are non-negotiable.

Nom Wah Tea Parlor is one of the most popular restaurants open on Christmas day in New York City but, unfortunately, doesn’t offer reservations for parties of less than 3. I suggest trying to gather a group of friends and booking online to avoid having to wait in line.