Business Spotlight: Wo Hop is Expanding Upstairs!
Blog by Cadence Tan, Photos by Ines Leong
Wo Hop 17 Mott St
Since 1938, Wo Hop has been the go-to Chinese restaurant in Manhattan Chinatown. Nearly 90 years later, the former chop suey eatery is now a restaurant committed to preserving Chinatown’s heritage while looking ahead. This June 2025, Wo Hop will be unveiling a brand new ground floor, a shared vision between second-generation owner David Leung and architect T.K. Justin Ng.
The newly redesigned ground floor is more than just a renovation. David, a second-generation owner, is stepping into his family’s legacy with fresh eyes. He’s partnered with Justin, a young architect who is connected through Welcome to Chinatown’s Small Business Innovation Hub. Together, they’re blending tradition and renovation to reimagine what the future of Chinatown can look like.
When Wo Hop first opened its doors in 1938, it served chop suey just like many of its neighbors. But even then, it stood apart. Tucked below street level, the restaurant felt more like an old-school American diner than a typical Chinatown spot, with cozy booths and checkerboard floors. Perhaps it was that hidden, underground setting that helped it hold on while the world above changed. By the 1960s, most chop suey houses had disappeared, but Wo Hop remained, quietly preserving a piece of the past.
Wo Hop is the second-oldest restaurant in Chinatown, and its underground space tells a story, from walls covered in signed dollar bills and old photographs to the iconic lightbox awning and staircase that mark the entrance. All of it has become part of its identity. Wo Hop will be the first of the “Hop” restaurants in the neighborhood to expand beyond its original footprint, preserving one of Manhattan Chinatown’s most beloved staples as the neighborhood continues to grow and change.
The steep staircase has become difficult for aging staff and patrons who’ve been coming since they were kids and are now in their 50s or 60s. When the ground-floor tenant moved out, it was the perfect opportunity to expand upstairs. David and Justin’s proposal was not to design, but to discover and reimagine what was already there.
Upstairs, familiar details have been brought back in a new way. The brick façade now flows down to the sidewalk, the lightbox awning continues into the dining room, and the iconic red guardrails return as booth seating. A photo grid wall invites people to shape their own version of the restaurant, just like the dollar bills downstairs.
The new Wo Hop is a heartfelt love letter to Chinatown, to its past, its present, and the future still to come. It’s for the loyal customers who have stood by them through the years, for the new faces walking through the doors, and the sons and daughters of those who helped build Chinatown’s legacy. This restaurant is more than a place to eat. It’s a living part of the neighborhood’s story, where memories are made, traditions are passed on, and the heart of the neighborhood continues to grow.
Wo Hop’s ground floor is open and ready to welcome you. It’s the same beloved dishes and spirit you know, now with more room to gather and enjoy. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the neighborhood, come and find out why this spot has remained a Chinatown favorite for decades.