Mei Lai Wah | Wonton Noodle Garden Introduce
Nestled in the heart of New York City's bustling Chinatown, Mei Lai Wah | Wonton Noodle Garden stands as a cherished institution for those craving authentic Cantonese cuisine. This isn't just another Chinese restaurant; it's a local favorite, renowned for its consistent quality, incredibly fast service, and, most notably, its exquisite wonton noodle soup. For decades, it has served as a culinary landmark, offering a taste of genuine Hong Kong-style comfort food to a diverse crowd of New Yorkers, from busy professionals grabbing a quick lunch to families enjoying a traditional meal.
Mei Lai Wah has mastered the art of providing delicious and satisfying meals that are both affordable and high-quality. The menu is a comprehensive tour of Cantonese staples, focusing on fresh ingredients and time-honored recipes. Whether you're a long-time resident of the city or just passing through, a visit to this restaurant provides an authentic cultural and culinary experience. The welcoming and casual atmosphere makes it a perfect spot for anyone looking for a hearty meal without any fuss. Its reputation for being a "bang for your buck" establishment is well-earned and continues to draw people from all over the city.
---
Mei Lai Wah is conveniently located at 23 Pell Street, New York, NY 10038, right in the vibrant and historic core of Chinatown. Its location on Pell Street, a famously narrow and picturesque thoroughfare, adds to its charm and cultural significance. The restaurant's proximity to major subway lines makes it easily accessible for anyone in the five boroughs. The Canal Street station, a hub for the J, N, Q, R, W, and 6 lines, is just a short walk away, as is the Grand Street station for the B and D lines.
While street parking can be limited in this busy neighborhood, the ease of public transportation makes it a breeze to get to. The restaurant's central spot in Chinatown also means it's an ideal stop after exploring the area's many shops, markets, and cultural landmarks. Whether you're a local resident or a tourist, finding your way to Mei Lai Wah is straightforward, and the delicious food makes the journey entirely worthwhile.
---
Mei Lai Wah is dedicated to providing an efficient and satisfying dining experience, offering several service options to accommodate its customers' needs.
Delivery: For those who prefer to enjoy their meal at home or at the office, Mei Lai Wah provides delivery services. This allows you to savor their authentic Cantonese dishes without having to leave your location, ensuring that a delicious meal is just an order away.
Dine-in: The restaurant offers a dine-in experience, allowing you to enjoy your meal in a casual and cozy atmosphere. While seating can be limited, it provides a perfect setting for a quick meal, especially for solo diners or small groups. The bustling, energetic ambiance is part of the authentic Chinatown experience.
Reservations: Mei Lai Wah accepts reservations, which can be particularly useful for groups planning to visit during peak hours. This feature helps in managing wait times and ensures a smoother dining experience, even in a busy environment.
Cash and Credit Cards: The restaurant accepts a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, offering flexibility and convenience for all customers. For those who prefer to use cash, a separate counter is available for cash orders, providing an efficient system for all types of transactions.
---
Mei Lai Wah | Wonton Noodle Garden has earned its reputation through a combination of its excellent food and unique dining experience.
Fast Service: One of the most praised features of this restaurant is its incredibly fast service. Despite the constant flow of customers, orders are prepared and served with remarkable speed, making it an ideal spot for a quick bite. This efficiency ensures that you can enjoy a fresh, hot meal without a long wait.
Great Tea Selection: While the focus is on the food, the restaurant also boasts a great tea selection, which perfectly complements the rich flavors of the Cantonese dishes. Sipping on a traditional Chinese tea enhances the overall dining experience and provides a soothing counterpoint to the flavorful meals.
Authentic Offerings: The menu is a testament to authentic Cantonese cuisine, with offerings like wonton noodle soup, special lo mein, and various steamed rice dishes. The quality and flavor of the food are consistently high, reflecting a genuine commitment to traditional recipes.
Casual and Cozy Atmosphere: The restaurant’s atmosphere is casual and cozy, making it a comfortable place for a simple, no-frills meal. It's the kind of place where you can relax and enjoy your food, whether you're dining alone or with friends and family.
Diverse Menu for Everyone: The menu caters to a wide range of tastes, with offerings that include healthy options, small plates, and a variety of meat and vegetable dishes. Whether you're looking for a light meal or a hearty feast, you'll find something to satisfy your cravings. They even offer an array of dim sum and appetizers, perfect for sharing.
---
For more information or to make a reservation, you can contact Mei Lai Wah | Wonton Noodle Garden at the following:
Address: 23 Pell St, New York, NY 10038, USA
Phone: (212) 966-4033
---
If it's your first time visiting Mei Lai Wah, the must-try dish is their famous Wonton Noodle Soup. Customers consistently rave about the delicate wontons and the flavorful broth, which is a perfect example of authentic Cantonese comfort food. You can choose from various combinations, such as Wonton Fish Ball With Noodles or Beef Balls & Wontons With Noodles, to customize your bowl. Another popular choice is their Fried Tofu, which is crispy on the outside and wonderfully soft on the inside, a perfect appetizer to share.
For those who prefer rice dishes, the House Special Fried Rice is a standout, praised by customers for being fresh, flavorful, and packed with a variety of delicious ingredients. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal on its own. The menu also offers an extensive selection of lo mein and fried rice dishes, as well as unique Cantonese specialties. Don’t miss the opportunity to try some of their chef’s suggestions like the Peking Style Pork Chop or the Shrimp With Spicy Pepper & Salt for a taste of something truly special. For a classic Cantonese experience, their steamed rice dishes with various toppings like Roast Duck or Beef Stew are always a solid and reliable choice, offering a taste of home-cooked comfort. Mei Lai Wah’s dedication to these traditional flavors and their fast, efficient service makes it a worthwhile choice every time you're in Chinatown.
Mei Lai Wah | Wonton Noodle Garden Menu
Appetizer
- F6. Tender Beef With Special Sauce $22.75
Muscles.
- F8. Tender Beef Stew With Beef Muscles $22.75
- F10. Young Chicken With Curry Sauce $19.45
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- F12. Roast Pork With Oyster Sauce $12.35
- F1. Special Vegetables With Oyster Sauce $8.45
- F16. Quart Roast Duck With Duck Sauce $12.35
- F14. Half Hai Nam Chicken $20.15
- F18. Chicken Wings With Spicy Pepper $10.40
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- F17. Fish Ball With Curry Sauce $11.70
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- F9. Tender Beef Stew With Curry Sauce $22.75
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- F15. Half Roast Duck With Oyster Sauce $24.05
- F5. Beef Tripes With Special Sauce $22.75
- F3. Mixed Mushrooms With Vegetables $10.40
- F7. Beef Stew With Special Sauce $22.75
- F2. Fried Bean Curd With Special Sauce $10.40
- F13. Fried Wonton $8.75
Special Combinations in Soup
- B7. Beef Tripe & Wontons With Noodles $14.95
- B15. Chicken & Roast Duck With Noodles $14.95
- B13. Roast Pork & Wontons With Noodles $14.95
- B1. Wonton Fish Ball With Noodles $14.30
- B12. Roast Duck & Wontons With Noodles $14.95
- B2. Beef Balls & Wontons With Noodles $14.30
Shrimp & pork.
- B8. Beef Tendons & Wonton With Noodles $15.25
- B14. Roast Pork & Roast Duck With Noodles $14.95
- B11. Steamed Chicken & Wontons With Noodles $14.95
- B5. Mixed Vegetables & Wonton With Noodles $14.30
- B4. Mushrooms & Wontons With Noodles $14.30
- B3. Beef Balls & Fish Balls With Noodles $14.30
- B9. Beef Stew & Wontons With Noodles $15.25
Cold Drinks
- Soda $2.00
- Spring Water $2.00
Fried Rice Dishes
- R31. Mixed Vegetables Fried Rice $17.25
- R30. Jumbo Shrimp Fried Rice $20.15
- R29. Seafood Fried Rice $20.15
- R28. Baby Shrimp Fried Rice $17.25
- R32. House Special Fried Rice $20.15
Chicken, beef, baby shrimp.
- R24. Young Chow Fried Rice $17.25
Roast pork, ham egg, vegetable, baby shrimp.
- R25. Roast Pork Fried Rice $17.25
- R27. Chicken Meat Fried Rice $17.25
- R26. Beef Fried Rice $17.25
China Town Chef Special
- T1. Lo Mein With Triple Delight $21.75
- T4. Garlic Spare Ribs $13.35
- T3. BBQ Spare Ribs $13.35
- T2. House Special Lo Mein $21.75
Chicken, beef, baby shrimp.
Rice Noodles in Casserole
- RC4. Roast Pork With Rice Noodles In In Casserole $13.95
- RC1a. Beef Stew With Noodles In Casserole $13.95
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- RC2. Beef Tips With Rice Noodles In Casserole $13.95
- RC6. Fish Meat With Rice Noodles In Casserole $13.95
- RC7. Seafood With Rice Noodles In Casserole $16.25
- RC1. Tender Beef Stew With Rice Noodles In Casserole $13.95
- RC5. Roast Duck With Rice Noodles In Casserole $13.95
- RC3. Beef Tendon With Rice Noodles In Casserole $13.95
Dim Sum
- DS5. Pan Fried Rice Noodle With Mixed Sauce $9.10
- DS3. Pan Fried Dumpling $11.35
6 pieces.
- DS2. Steamed Pork & Chives Dumplings $11.35
6 pieces.
- DS4. Vegetarian Roll $4.85
2 pieces.
- DS1. Sui Mai $11.35
6 pieces. Shrimp & pork dumplings.
Special Lo Mein
- L2. Sliced Chicken Lo Mein $17.25
- L6. Mixed Vegetable Lo Mein $17.25
- L3. Roast Pork Lo Mein $17.25
- L1. Baby Shrimp Lo Mein $17.25
- L5. Roast Duck Lo Mein $17.25
- L4. Sliced Beef Lo Mein $18.85
- L7. Sweet & Sour Chicken Lo Mein $17.25
Chef's Suggestion
- CS14. Peking Style Pork Chop $22.45
- CS18. Sautéed Fish Fillet Cantonese Style $24.05
- CS5. Baby Shrimp With Garlic Sauce $24.05
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- CS19. Sweet And Sour Fish Fillet $24.05
- CS7. Chicken With Sauce $20.15
Chunky chicken with sesame in house special sauces.
- CS22. Chicken With Cashew Nuts $24.05
- CS2. Mixed Vegetable With Shrimp $28.25
- CS16. Mapo Tofu $16.25
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- CS13. Braised Grouper With Vegetable $24.05
- CS8. Sweet & Sour Chicken $20.15
- CS21. Shrimp With Cashew Nuts $24.05
- CS3. Seafood Delight $28.25
Jumbo shrimp, fish cake and scallops with vegetables. Sautéed in house special sauce.
- CS25. Squid With Ginger & Scallion, Oyster Sauce $24.05
- CS24. Squid With Curry Sauce $24.05
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- CS4. Triple Crown In Garlic Sauce $28.25
Spicy. Jumbo shrimp fish cake and scallops with vegetables. Sautéed in house special sauce. Hot & spicy.
- CS15. Pork Chop With Spicy Pepper And Salt $22.45
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- CS23. Kung Pao Chicken $24.05
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- CS26. Jumbo Fish Fillet With Salted Pepper $24.05
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- CS9. General Tso's Chicken $20.15
Spicy. Chunky chicken sesame in special sauces. Hot & spicy.
- CS11. Slice Chicken With Garlic Sauce $20.15
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- CS6a. Shrimp With Sesame $28.60
- CS28. Chicken With Salted Pepper $20.75
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- CS10. Chicken With Black Bean Sauce $20.15
- CS27. Shrimp With Garlic Sauce $28.60
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- CS20. Squid With Salted Pepper $24.05
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- CS6. Shrimp With Spicy Pepper & Salt $28.60
- CS1. Sautéed Mixed Vegetable $16.25
- CS12. Beef With Broccoli $24.05
- CS17. Shrimp With Broccoli Walnuts $31.15
Noodles in Soup
- A2. Wonton In Soup $11.35
- A18. Sliced Fresh Beef With Noodles $12.95
- A9. Chives & Pork Dumplings With Noodles $11.65
- A20. Beef Tripe & Beef Stew With Noodles $15.25
- A26. Squid (Curry Sauce) With Noodles $14.30
Curry sauce.
- A12. Fresh Fish Balls With Noodles $12.40
- A19. Beef Tripe With Noodles $12.95
- A22. Beef Tendons & Beef Stew With Noodles $15.25
- A3. Wonton With Noodles $11.35
Pork & shrimp.
- A6. Mixed Vegetables With Noodles $11.65
- A1. Fresh Plain Noodles In Soup $6.15
- A5. Cantonese Dumplings With Noodles $11.35
- A8. Chives & Pork Dumplings In Soup $11.65
- A14. Roast Pork With Noodles $12.40
- A4. Cantonese Dumplings In Soup $11.35
Pork, shrimp.
- A13. Fresh Fish Balls With Noodles $11.65
- A28. Seafood With Noodles $15.95
Shrimp, squid , fishball.
- A23. Beef Stew With Noodles $12.95
- A21. Beef Tendons With Noodles $12.95
Muscles.
- A29. Jumbo Shrimp & Vegetables With Noodles $15.95
- A10. Fresh Fish Balls In Soup $11.65
- A25. Young Chicken (Curry Sauce) With Noodles $14.30
Curry sauce.
- A11. Fresh Fish Balls With Noodles $11.65
- A15. Steamed Young Chicken With Noodles $12.40
- A24. Beef Stew (Curry Sauce) With Noodles $12.95
Curry sauce.
- A7. Mushrooms And Vegetables With Noodles $11.65
- A16. Roast Duck With Noodles $12.40
- A27. Steamed Squid With Noodles $14.30
Cantonese Style Chow Mein
- P10. Pan Fried Noodles With Sliced Ham, Roast Pork, Chicken & Vegetables $14.50
- P3. Pan Fried Noodles With Mushrooms & Vegetables $17.55
- P11. Pan Fried Noodles With Ha Moon Style $14.50
- P1. Pan Fried Noodles With Bean Sprouts & Soy Sauce $17.55
- P8. Pan Fried Noodles With Roast Pork & Vegetables $18.85
- P5. Pan Chow Fun With Fresh Sliced Beef $19.15
- P7. Pan Fried Noodles With Beef Stew & Vegetables $19.15
- P14. Pan Fried Noodles With Jumbo Shrimp & Vegetables $24.70
- P2. Pan Fried Noodles With Vegetarian Vegetables $17.55
- P12. Pan Fried Noodles, Singapore Style $14.50
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- P13. Pan Fried Noodles With Seafood $18.85
Shrimp, squid, fish cake.
- P9. Pan Fried Noodles With Roast Pork & Vegetables $14.50
- P6. Pan Fried Noodles With Fresh Sliced Beef $19.15
Steamed Rice Dishes
- R16. Chicken With Broccoli Over Rice $12.00
- R12. Deep Fried Fish Fillet With Bitter Melon On Rice $12.00
- R9. Rice With Trips & Special Sauce $12.00
- R15. Rice With Minced Beef & Bean Curd $12.00
- R19. Rice With Pig Feet & Special Sauce $12.00
- R11. Deep Fried Fish Fillet On Rice $12.00
- R2. Rice With Seafood $14.95
Shrimp, squid, fish cakes, scallop.
- R23. Rice With Roast Duck & Roast Pork $13.00
- R22. Rice With Roast Duck $12.00
- R14. Rice With Sliced Beef, Broccoli $12.00
- R10. Rice With Sliced Beef, Vegetables $12.00
- R18. Rice With Baby Shrimp & Bean Curd $12.00
- R3. Rice With Mixed Vegetables $11.35
- R7. Rice With Beef Stew & Special Sauce $12.00
- R8. Rice With Tendon $12.00
Muscles.
- R21. Rice With Roast Pork $12.00
- R6. Rice With Beef Stew & Curry Sauce $12.00
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- R4. Rice With Mushroom & Vegetables $11.35
- R13. Sweet And Sour Chicken On Rice $12.00
- R20. Rice With Sweet & Sour Pork Chop $12.00
- R17. Rice With Sliced Beef & Tomato $12.00
- R1. House Special: Hoi Nam Chicken On Rice $12.00
Served with special soup.
- R5. Rice With Chicken & Curry Sauce $12.00
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
Cantonese Style Lo Mein
- C6. Noodles Stewed With Fresh Fish Ball & Oyster Sauce $13.00
- C17. Noodles Stewed With Beef Stew & Beef Muscles $16.00
- C26. Noodles Stewed With Roast Duck & Roast Pork $15.60
- C10. Noodles Stewed With Beef Balls & Wontons $14.30
- C14. Noodles Stewed With Beef Tendons $14.65
Muscles.
- C27. Noodles Stewed With Roast Duck & Chicken $15.60
- C11. Noodles Stewed With Sliced Beef & Oyster Sauce $14.65
- C28. Noodles Stewed With Seafood $17.25
Shrimp, squid, fish ball.
- C18. Noodles Stewed With Tender Beef Stew & Curry Sauce $14.65
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- C13. Noodles Stewed With Beef Tripes & Beef Stewed $16.00
- C7. Noodles Stewed With Fresh Fish Ball & Wontons $14.30
- C3. Noodles Stewed With Wontons & Oyster Sauce $13.00
- C2. Noodles Stewed With Mushrooms & Vegetables $13.00
- C15. Noodles Stewed With Beef Stew $14.65
- C29. Noodles Stewed With Jumbo Shrimp & Vegetables $17.25
- C12. Noodles Stewed With Beef Tripes $14.65
- C19. Noodles Stewed With Young Chicken & Curry Sauce $14.65
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- C21. Noodles Stewed With Squid & Oyster Sauce $14.65
- C16. Noodles Stewed With Beef Stew & Wontons $16.00
- C9. Noodles Stewed With Beef Balls & Oyster Sauce $13.00
- C25. Noodles Stewed With Roast Duck $14.65
- C24. Noodles Stewed With Roast Pork $14.65
- C4. Noodles Stewed With Dumplings & Oyster Sauce $13.00
- C20. Noodles Stewed With Squid & Curry Sauce $14.65
Spicy. Hot & spicy.
- C5. Noodles Stewed With Wontons & Dumplings $15.60
- C1. Noodles Stewed With Mixed Vegetables $13.00
- C8. Noodles Stewed With Fish Balls & Beef Balls $14.30
Mei Lai Wah | Wonton Noodle Garden Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great tea selection
Popular for
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
Dining options
- Dessert
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Parking
- Parking
Mei Lai Wah | Wonton Noodle Garden Photos










Mei Lai Wah | Wonton Noodle Garden Location
Mei Lai Wah | Wonton Noodle Garden
23 Pell St, New York, NY 10038, USA
Mei Lai Wah | Wonton Noodle Garden Reviews
tipwonton noodle soupwonton soupbillwonton noodlesroast duckchinatownbrothtouristscredit card
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Great place for a cheap eat in Chinatown. Excellent Wonton Noodle soup, amazing fried tofu. They have a bunch of other standard fare you'd expect at a casual Chinese restaurant but if it's your first time I'd stick with their Wonton Noodle soup.I personally prefer their flat egg noodles but they have a variety to choose from.We drop by here quite often for a quick meal. Efficient service and bang for buck. Hard to go wrong here! Drop by around lunar new year if you want a cultural experience.
April 27 · Albert WangVisited Mei Lai Wah while in the city, when I saw the great reviews, and decided to try their house special fried rice without pork. I have to say, it was delicious, flavorful, and taste fresh. The only downside is that you can not sit down and eat, and there is very limited street parking. Orders are placed from a kiosk outside and pick up the order inside once you receive a text. Cash orders are placed inside. The restaurant was very busy and had a line to order. However, the order was ready within a reasonable time and worth the wait. Highly recommended.
June 09 · Susana LWonton noodle soup is ok, but that’s about it. The soup is great, noodles are whatever, but the wontons were borderline bad. I think the quality could be better. I found stuff in the wonton that I think shouldn’t be in there.Service is fast. If you paid and are just sitting around, they will ask you to leave so that they can seat people who waiting in line.This place is full of tourists and/or visitors. If you’re on a food crawl, I think this place isn’t worth the taking up stomach space. The menu is extensive. Perhaps other items are better than the wonton noodle soup?Payment: the original bill gives automatic 4% discount and charges 15% gratuity. If you end up paying with credit card, they add back the 4% discount.
August 02 · Shmiley CPick-up lunch, diner or just fancy a quick bite as we did during our walk trough Chinatown. Price is good for what you get. Nice taste but a bit greasy on the inside. Fast and good service. Would recommend!
April 12 · Liesbeth GeboesIf you’re on the hunt for the best wonton soup in Chinatown, look no further than Mei Lai Wah!I walked in feeling like a culinary explorer, and I left with a bowl of soup that could probably solve world hunger. The wontons were so plump and delicious, I half-expected them to start singing show tunes.As I slurped the broth, I realized I was in a love affair with my soup. It was so good I considered proposing—until I remembered I can't marry a bowl of wontons (but I’m open to a long-term commitment).The ambiance? Cozy. The service? Prompt. The soup? Life-changing. I’m now convinced I need to make a pilgrimage here every week. Bring your appetite, and maybe a bib—this soup is worth diving into headfirst!If you don’t visit Mei Lai Wah, you’re missing out on a culinary revelation. Seriously, why are you still reading this? Go get your wonton fix!
July 10 · Rofa Golu
More restaurants near me

25 Pell St, New York, NY 10013, USA

19 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013, USA

Vietnam Restaurant, 28 Pell St, New York, NY 10013, USA

18 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013, USA

18 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013, USA

33 Pell St, New York, NY 10013, USA

13 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013, USA

26 Pell St, New York, NY 10013, USA

28 Pell St, New York, NY 10013, USA

10 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013, USA

34 Mott St, New York, NY 10013, USA

16 Pell St, New York, NY 10013, USA
Categories
Top Visited Sites






Trending Dining Insights Posts





