Wong Kei in City of London, Westminster

Simply classic Chinese, it never fails to please

Hard to fault Wong Kei, I've been eating there irregularly for nearly 30 years. I wouldn't take a date here but great for either a solo pitstop or even for a group - prices are cheap, portions are large, service is quick, and most importantly the food tastes great. They used to trade on a reputation of rude and abrupt service but this seems to have gone now. Still expect to be seated anywhere across a number of floors and potentially to have to share a table at busy times.

Bad attitude, only accept cash, food tastes bad

This is a garbage place, get lost, don’t even go there

The infamous Wong Kei, and that is it! The rudeness of the waiter started as soon as I entered the restaurant. I waited a bit to be seated and the guy just used his finger to point to the direction where to be seated. Without a word, the same waiter dropped the menu in front of me. Picked a duck dried rice noodle - taste was very blend and barely any duck meat, but I could taste lots of onions and bean sprouts. Damage was Gbp12.50, no added tip on the bill and of course CASH only for this restaurant. The usual no thank-you and bye - no human interactions whatsoever. To be honest, that was within my expectation, so Wong Kei did not disappoint me.

Excellent food, quick service. Cash only.

Absolutely avoid, dirty place, food I don't know if it's real, waiters who throw plates at you, they don't want card payments... In short, nothing positive

The muddlers are burned, the treatment is very unpleasant and they force you to pay in cash.

Staff very rude , arrogant and impolite. Food is not delicious as well. Won’t go anymore.

Came here during a friend’s birthday party

As it is! I did get a smile when I went in & left! 😎

Authentic HK char Chan teng experience. Felt surreal having such an experience in central London. Place is old but well-maintained. Prices are very reasonable with no service charge and comes with free Chinese tea. But it only accepts cash.

Honestly the reviews of people complaining are people who had expectations of a proper sit down restaurant, where as Wong Kei is a kitchen and a really bloody good one at that. The noodle soups that they are famous for are exemplary. If your looking to grab a quick dinner in Soho and trying to look after the pennies Wong Kei is your place. We had the wontun soup and the BBQ pork soup and they were absolutely amazing. So fresh and aromatic. We also got the quarter of a duck and pancakes to share as a side and it was again really delicious. No the service isn't super charismatic and engaged, but honestly that's not the service I enjoy. I don't need someone to pretend to be my friend while I order food. Good old school take your order, here's your food, here's the bill. Perfect.

The worst Chinese restaurant I have ever been to. Very disappointed with the customer service at this place. Staff are very rude. Food was nice but found two pieces of hair in the food. Asking for cutlery and drinks was like we was asking for a lot. Would not recommend going there at all. I don’t normally write reviews but on this occasion I had to.

Know that you are going to a place with famously terrible service with quotes from waiters such as "it's not a library hurry and choose" and "no you must sit downstairs!". On this occasion the waiter was awesome! Very helpful and went the extra mile. The food... Well it's epic. Came back after 12 years and sure enough it's better than remembered. Cheap and epic food, hard to compete with!

Me and my friends went there yesterday, the service was alright but the food was absolutely an outrageous. Most of us ordered some kind of soups. I had soup with duck and it’s was horrible, the duck still had bone and it was hard an chewy and did not taste like duck at all. In the won tun soup we found multiple strands of hair wrapped in the dough. We were a few bites in and decided to check some reviews because we were feeling sick by that point, Apparently the Restaurant got sued because of rats found in the kitchen. Anyways I absolutely do not recommend.

has to be one the worst chinese in soho - real talk

37 years since my last visit, the food is still good. The staff were all friendly ( not like 1987 🤣🤣🤣) it’s great. Good food and great prices

By a mile THE BEST Chinese in Chinatown. The reviews are understandable on a 'service' level ... if you're looking for optimum hospitality/attention then this isn't the place for you but the service is rapid (granted - they want you out quickly due to the popularity and wanting the table back) but this is an authentic experience ... the food is EXCELLENT first and foremost (try the BBQ Pork on Rice ... it's not cold as the menu suggests). Having been in London for years, this is the only place we continue to go back to. You won't be disappointed.

Still wonderfully rude. Fabulously organised chaos. The food is fabulous. It's certainly a culinary experience.

An establishment in London’s Chinatown. Recent upgrades have improved the lighting and increased the size of the wontons in the soup. Service is quick and not rude at all. The hor fun (flat rice noodles) has the classic slightly burnt taste only achievable in the fiery woks of an authentic Chinese restaurant. The salted fish in the fried rice had clumped but the chicken in it was super tender and the greens gave it a delicate flavour.

Food is scrumptious. Service leaves a tiny bit to be desired but they’re efficient, fast and dotted about if ever you need anything. The place is rough around the edges but the food is insane. Proper authentic. I recommend the stewed beef brisket hot pot and the morning glory 👌

Many mixed reviews but I love kove love this place

I felt that the person was very lethargic, had no smiles, and did not take things seriously. The only thing I ordered was the barbecued pork duck. It was delicious. I kept telling me that it was cold. I thought it was because the rice and duck meat were both cold...

Proper authentic Chinese in China town. Don’t expect a fancy place nor amazing service. But the food won’t disappoint you. I ordered shrimps noodles and some aubergines, but apparently the staple dishes are the noodle and dumpling soup and the crispy pork rice (met a couple sitting at the same table who told us this). Tea pot included. I’d definitely going back to try them soon. Oh, it’s cash only. Make sure you bring some with you before you go.

Bad experience, unclean restaurant, slow service, bad tasting food. Dont waste your time and money.

Food was fantastic!! Super cheap and you get a boat load of food! Complimentary tea throughout your meal and the staff are extremely attentive.

In the heart of vibrant Soho's Chinatown, Wong Kei's restaurant serves excellent food with decent sized portions at very reasonable prices. I've visited many times, and despite its four floors, very busy at times with students, tourists, and those who live and work locally, the food arrives quickly, and is fresh always served hot. Note: cash payment only

Food was fine and service was actually very fast. However, service was awful really rude and rushed. Also cash only, which is difficult!

I habitually ordered Sanshao rice and stir-fried beef river, and also added a bowl of wonton soup. The taste of "Wang Kee" is amazing (especially the wontons, which are plump and crispy). It turns out that there are also delicious Cantonese restaurants in London. Style cuisine!

I don’t know what happened, but the cashier sister has a black face. Going in to eat really affects your mood.

Food is good, service is notoriously awful (but people come here to experience it!), but for Leicester Sq the prices are very reasonable. Always worth a visit, just remember to bring cash.

Significant price increased since my last visit and portion decreased too. A small plate of fried noodles costs over £12 in a fast food style set up.

Service is very poor. Being brough to upstairs, the short lady with specs was impaient and rude. Ordered duck with plum sauce but came crispy duck. Take away box at 1GBP, and you have to DIY. If you are asian and cant speak Cantonese, dont speak mandarin. We made a mistake n conversed in mandarin, and was treated poorly.

The place was too crowded. We were a group of six and we were only allowed to sit at the six-seat table. When we entered, we saw the eight-seat table and asked for that seat. The waiter said that only eight people could sit, but soon six foreigners came in and they seated us. (Those who have not made reservations) are a little unhappy.

If you want authentic Chinese food, with an authentic Chinese environment and an authentic Chinese service, go to Wong kei. People don't know this, but I'm china they sometimes serve in plastic plates and cups and the waiters treat you in a certain way ...if that happens to you, don't take it personal. Just enjoy the food it the best you will ever taste, it reminds me of china, of home.

垃圾東西 DON'T COME! It is so bad The bbq pork is the worst I have ever eat in my entire life BLAND and not a real bbq pork The service is so bad either, a middle aged lady works in there asked me and my friend to get out because there are someone waiting for the table. I just finished my rice but I still have my drink....she is super rude I would be OK if the food is good with this kind of service But with bad food and bad service.... NO!

No nonsense Hong Kong style cuisine like wonton noodles.

An institution. Bring cash. Embrace being sat across from a stranger on the canteen tables. Order quickly. Bring your friends, bring your family. Sit on your own and look out at Wardour street. Been coming here since I was a kid and it’s one of the best things about living in this city.

Minus the rude service and outdated decor, in all seriousness, this was a 5-star place many years ago. Large portions at fairly decent prices, especially for London, and fast, efficient service. Now, it's average at best. Prices have gone up like crazy, portions are noticeably smaller, service is not as fast or as efficient anymore (mainly due to staff shortages), and surprise surprise they've recently been caught with mice and cockroach infestations in their kitchen. Used to have good food, good portions and good value for money, now it's just good food. I would recommend checking out other Chinese restaurants in the area before dining here.

Decent Chinese meals, good atmosphere and fast service. Quite pricey for the food and cash only accepted

Avoid this place. Staff are more polite to Caucasians than Asians and extremely rude otherwise. In fact they really are the rudest in Chinatown. Food isn’t great either. They also only accept cash. Certainly not keeping up with the modern times.

He has a great attitude. If you want to be scolded, you can come here.

Cash only place! It's quite a challenge. No cash, No food.

Good Chinese food in my opinion. Portion is big, and tasty. Staff is not friendly, speaking loud and no smile. Pay only cash!

Hey...I'd still comeback to eat but mainly because of the price and the quick eat and go process. Don't expect service, it's overrated anyway...but if that's what you expect, go eat elsewhere. Food is just above mediocre, go in with lowish expectations and you won't be disappointed. Remember cash only and chinese tea is free, that alone is a partial win.

Horroroso...! No he conocido un restaurante donde te haga peor comida china. Quemada, seca, e insípida. Entramos sanos y al día siguiente todos con diarreas menos mi hermano que tuvo suerte y sólo vomitó. El trato normal para dirigirse a Orcos... Caro y no se puede pagar con tarjeta. Solo efectivo... Ahora decidir vosotros...! Saludos...

Quick and easy eat in with efficient service with no service charge. My go to in Chinatown ( that is still open)

Super unpalatable! Totally ugh ghost man, people from the Tang Dynasty are really not easy to be fooled! The beef brisket is super bad and moldy, and the barbecued pork is so salty! You must order two portions of wine for two people, Overlord!

I visited on the recommendation of a tour guide, and although the service was unfriendly, I heard that it was delicious, so I went because I was curious about how bad it would really be. And I met 3 flying flies. I asked to change the plate. I didn't get an apology. The male server throws a bowl as if throwing a food plate. A version of Sweary Grandma without swearing. I'm a timid intp. I won’t do it twice.. Only cash is accepted.

I don't understand the positive notes. We were 6 people and we all agreed: the worst food (it seems generous to me to call it food) that they have ever served us. The worst noodles in the world, totally burned. And that was the only flavor that was recognized. Tasteless soup, plastic rice. Regrettable. Wasted money. Very expensive price. The biggest scam we have ever suffered.

Went there regularly in the 90s and the staff atmosphere was always efficient/ aggressive, but added to the experience. Good food and inexpensive

Cheap good food big portions 🍱 cant complain .

The food has a unique flavour probably due to the mice and cockroaches in the kitchen added to the prevalence of msg in the food.Anyone thinking of eating here check online westminster health inspectors report and £42000 fine.

Ok yes the staff are really rude but it’s almost funny, gimmick like. I have to warn you though the fried noodles come out like raw spaghetti so don’t order. I let them know so they stuffed it back in the microwave, that made no difference at all.

Worst Restaurant Experience!!!!

Olace used to be good fun and amazi g food. I had not been there for 20yrs. The service was just okay. Food disappointing. The soft shell crab was so bad, soggy and no flavou, we send it back. The place was not clean, plastic plates. Very disappointing

Excellent as always. One of the few places in Soho that you can arrive with a large group 10+ people (without booking) and not have to queue to get a table. Ignore the decor, the food is freshly cooked to order and authentic. Important to note that it's CASH ONLY!

It’s been a while since I last ate at Wong Kei, but I won’t be coming back. I’ve just read in the news today that Wong Kei has been fined £42,000 fine after dead mice and cockroaches found in kitchen. During a routine inspection, council environmental health officers found evidence of mice droppings in the kitchen and storage areas, and mouldy food was found in the fridge. They also found sinks blocked by lettuce heads, grease dripping from cookers and mice droppings on the ground. At one point, inspectors witnessed cockroaches scuttling off after moving three chillers. The restaurant was issued a temporary closure notice in June last year. The court heard how this was the second temporary closure issued against the restaurant within six months.

One star is EXTREMELY generous! Five of us came in asked for water for the table while we read the menu. They brought two plastic cups of lukewarm water, when we asked for more water she pointed towards our two plastic cups. This was such an awful experience that it went way beyond bad and into comical. It was really satisfying to leave. A real sigh of relief.

Extremely disppointed. Sadly, this place has really fallen in standards since I last went a few years ago. For those who know, it used to be an absolute stalwart of classic Chinese cookery -reliably good food at an affordable price. We had the beef brisket noodle which was poor - meat was bland and tough - the soup a shadow of its former self more like dishwater than the aromatic flavourful broth I remember back in the day. My partner had the wonton noodle soup which tasted like the dumplings had supermarket sausage meat inside, the soup was dreadfully tasteless and loaded with salt. Maybe one of the unfortunate examples of a London establishment that has become the victim of its own success, owners too greedy or under pressure to cut costs or (I hope) more a case of a temporary drop in standards that will at some point recover. I wouldn't know though as I won't be back.

Beware this place is “cash only.” There’s no label anywhere in the restaurant that it’s cash only and Google says the place takes cards and they definitely have a card machine that they may secretly let some people use, BUT they will probably send you hunting to get cash at an ATM machine. It’s fine if you want to be a cash only restaurant now, but please put signs on the menu and in front of the store.

Cheap and cheerful with free tea

**Terrible Experience – Avoid at All Costs!** I had the absolute misfortune of visiting Wong Kei recently, and I can confidently say it was one of the worst dining experiences of my life. From the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel like an inconvenience rather than customers. The service was beyond awful—rude, dismissive, and downright hostile. It was like they went out of their way to be unhelpful and condescending. Asking a simple question about the menu felt like I had committed a crime. As for the food... I wish I hadn’t touched it. Everything we ordered was subpar at best, but that’s being generous. The food was clearly not fresh—flavors were off, portions were miserable, and some dishes had an unsettling sour smell. It was obvious they were serving old, spoiled ingredients. To make matters worse, one of my friends got seriously ill after eating here. We’re convinced it was from the chicken, which tasted like it had gone off. A night out turned into a nightmare thanks to Wong Kei. Avoid this place at all costs if you value your health and sanity. Horrible food, disgusting customer service, and potentially dangerous to eat at. How this place is still in business is beyond me. Never again. -

“The waitress has a bad attitude and is unfriendly. Even though we’re both Chinese, they are treating customers poorly. I don’t recommend this restaurant.

I had a terrible experience at Wong Kei. The service was abysmal right from the start—our server was rude and inattentive, making us feel unwelcome. The food was lackluster at best; everything we ordered lacked flavor and freshness. To make matters worse, they insisted that we purchase extra portions even though only 2 out of our 4-person group were actually eating. It felt incredibly greedy and unnecessary, just adding to the overall disappointment of the meal. I definitely won’t be returning, and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. Save your money and go elsewhere!

I didn't eat well, but my order arrived quickly.

A very scary restaurant that only accepts cash. It told me that this is London and only accepts pounds. It really treats the guests as ignorant people. Could it be that the amount paid to him by my bank card is not pounds? This tradition will only bully foreign tourists! Definitely won't go again!

Worst service ever received in Britain. Waitress was super rude. Not recommended.

The dry-fried beef river is delicious and served hot. If you treat people more kindly, you can get five stars.

I've been here for 30 years on & off and the food comparatively soaking, it is not the VFM it was known for. They DON'T break down the bill/check, which is always in Chinese characters. What's it show? Simply the total owed, that's all. Still represents for the area, overall, decent value for the area. Rude, dismissive staff as ever, is the norm here. I've been five times in the last two months but our friends, collectively we have decided to seek out a new regular Chinatown venue.

I came on a package tour, so I had no choice but to go because the travel agency took pictures of the restaurant... Unlike Korean Chinese restaurants, I personally enjoyed the Chinese food because it was not spicy. Next time, I plan to come on a personal trip and order a la carte dishes such as noodles.

No fuss no bullshit. Proper roast Cantonese style meats. Waiters r quick with it no time to waste. This is heritage

Authentic Hong Kong Cantonese food. Alll food we ordered tasted good

Staff are far too polite. I would go just to get put in my place by them, but now, customer service is bearable. I started going there more than 50 years ago. Become an institution. Upstairs Downstairs. Even walking along the beach in Spain, I saw someone wearing the T shirt. But a no frills, stop over lunch is right for me. In the middle of China town.

A Chinese eatery suitable for a quick meal. Take cash.

Was once famous for its bad service but now changed. Waiters are polite and patient. Decor is still in its 80s and comfortable. Went in around 9pm after a day of pub crawling with friends. Cheap and filling dishes. Average £9 a dish. Fast and efficient service. Not your 5 star but good enough. Great atmosphere with locals and tourists. Cash only September 2024 update. Dishes are smaller than before. But still under £8 for a rice and meat dish. Still over average for a quick no frills solo lunch or dinner. Or also with friends.

Best Beef ho Fun I've ever had!! Service is (famously) dire, but they get the job done and are speedy and straight to the point. Can't complain for the incredible food for relatively reasonable prices.

Service was really bad. The waiters are fast and efficient but can’t focus for a second on the customer and give them good energy and some charisma. Just felt very impatient and rushed. Food was ok. The spring rolls were weird and had very little filling. The Wuntun soup was nice. The duck was cold, which is quite normal but would be good to have an option to make it warm because it would’ve been much nicer.

I was surprised at how rude they were, and it was the most rude restaurant I've ever been to. The food was not tasty, and they didn't even give me change when I told them I would tip. I felt like I was robbed of my money.

To avoid, more than unpleasant staff Tasteless dishes Do not waste your time or money in this infamous establishment

The food was okay. They don't accept card.

Best value place for cooked meats of you wanna take out.

Food was good but service was bad 😂 Waiters and waitresses are impatient but they serve really quick. Our food arrived 5 mins after we ordered. Portion was super big. Had to bring home some because it was too much!

It was quite an impressive experience. The ambience has the charm of a Beijing university canteen, as I experienced it myself a long time ago. Simple food court atmosphere. But that wouldn't be so bad if the food was tasty. The Wun Tun Noodle Soup was really, really tasty. Can only be enjoyed “refined” with soy sauce. Oh man, I thought I would have read reviews beforehand. The waitresses radiate a distinct lack of enthusiasm and engage in a kind of minimal communication: “How many?”, “Cash only”,… You could ignore that too if the food was delicious. The highlight for us was the “cash only” instruction. So: don’t forget your cash! The price for three people without drinks is 35€. This is very cheap for London and as it turns out, ZUU is cheap. In summary: It was for nutrition!

Sadly not as famously rude as they used to be, but the Sweet and Sour chicken and Wonton Noodle Soup are still sublime. Plus unlimited Jasmine Tea! Leave the lid up for a refill One of the best restaurants in London for people watching, especially when you get sat on a table with randomers, you get every kind of person in here.

Don’t expect good service when you’re here, because they are really rude. Food wise - the fried rice & fried vegetables were pretty decent & authentic. But for the wanton soup….. it might be one of the worst things I’ve ate in my life. Roast duck was served cold & was tough.

Without doubt the worst Chinese food I've ever eaten. No flavour. They don't know what salt is. And the service are rude and appalling Go somewhere else

VERY rude service. I've never left a bad review before, but this one deserved it.

Tonight I went to London's Famous Bad Luck Shop with my friends. In fact, even if they didn't read the reviews, they would ignore them. The two Asian ladies upstairs were trying to catch up with the customers and were not polite and troublesome. If they weren't friends, they would really like to eat sweet and sour pork. After dinner, I really want to go out right away. If you don’t want to order a set meal or side dishes, I’d rather chat with you and don’t want to be left alone to greet you! Waste left a good kitchen and a gathering of chefs. And there are so many Chinese restaurants and tea restaurants in London for you to choose from. It really makes you wonder if they really don’t want to do it. What a pity! Rude and poorest service that I've never come across in any corner of the world. Once might be too much!

The waitress at the counter has a bad attitude

Excellent food however they are 'cash only' tax evaders

Maybe expectations are too high~ The food was ok, just not in the taste. But the attitude of the female service staff at the counter needs to be improved. Because of this counter staff, my good mood for traveling was slightly ruined~

Wong Kei is cheap with plenty of seating, but that’s about where the positives end. The food doesn’t resemble authentic Cantonese/Chinese cuisine at all. The fried rice is bland, the chashu lacks flavor and isn’t fatty, and the noodles have no wok hei (the charred, smoky flavor resulting from stir-frying foods over an open flame). They only take cash and don’t charge for service, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re after real Chinese food. It’s only worth it if you want to avoid lines elsewhere in Chinatown and aren’t concerned about authenticity.

Very rude attitude and the worst Chinese/Hong Kong cuisine ever Staff members demanded us to leave even before we finished our meal and did not give notice that it is cash only before dining 燒味飯 charshiu was served with a strange sauce 鼻涕羨 not sweet soy sauce The meat was unappetising and dry Pity for all who had to endure the appalling service PLS DO NOT COME

As an asian, food are good Staff are nice (I forgot to bring cash and they allow me to go out to atm) a lil bit crowded tho

I don’t want to give it even a star! Bully outsiders and change money randomly!

I had a prawn dish and the prawns were quality, cleaned and a decent size. The depth of flavour wasn’t amazing but considering the price and location this was good value for money. We ordered 2 portions of rice and didn’t realise that they gave us a bowl worth 2 portions. This was fine for us but would’ve been nice to mention. There are plenty of signs indicating this but BRING CASH as this place does not take card. There is a cash point somewhere in Chinatown not too far from the establishment.

Singapore noodles is good! Veggie spring rolls not bad either and came with good sauce servie is not the best and cash only! Overall just for the vibes

Delicious food, nice service and amazing prices ;) I recommend it.