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New Ho King
Category: Restaurants Chinese Chinese [Edit]
416 Spadina AveToronto, ON M5T 2G7
Neighbourhoods: Chinatown, Kensington Market, Downtown Core
(416) 595-1881
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 am - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
39 reviews for New Ho King
Review Highlights
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"...and green bean (in black bean sauce): probably my favorite..." In 4 reviews -
"...soup EVER, and because they have a secret late night menu." In 5 reviews -
"...ratio of chicken to batter, deep fried to crisp perfection." In 5 reviews
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39 reviews in English
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Review from Johnny H.
Toronto, ON
5/22/2012
I wonder if there is a single UT student who hasn't eaten New Ho King food. Especially the ones in engineering. Their food is surprising good. I usually have beef fried rice with coke ($6), and I struggle to finish it. The portion is huge. Actually I only eat the half and throw the rest away. After all, when you're studying you shouldn't feel hungry. And this restaurant keeps you full on those all-nighters during exam periods.
Consistency is a bit unpredictable. Sometimes the fried rice has oily flavor with greasy texture. Sometimes it lacks seasoning. Whether you get a decent food from them depends on your luck. -
Review from Elvis A.
5/9/2012 1 photo
With the change in weather I was down to for the count and craved some hot soup and grub.
Unfortunately I had a weird sleep schedule thanks to the fatigue and combination of cold medicine when I woke up most in places I wanted to try were closed already.
Never mind the online delivery service to the rescue. I went through a few menus and selected this spot for delivery. I ordered two dishes a medium size serving of hot and sour soup and chinese style beef tenderloin. Ordering was effortless. The food arrived earlier than expected.
First the soup. It was big serving and can easily serve 4-6 people. Tons of tofu and egg drop. Unfortunately taste was ho hum not enough hot neither enough sourness. 2 Star at best. Even though packed well it was bit cold and I had to nuke it up again.
Beef tenderloin was actually decent, kept nice and warm and not greasy. 3 Stars there. Portion can easily serve 2 people. So I am all set for 2 meals and then some with the huge serving of soup.
With the convenience of late night delivery I would give this place 3 stars (one of the better chinese delivery places I have tried) -
Review from Zaid S.
Toronto, ON
4/30/2012
My experience with these guys is primarily through ordering online.
Their quantities are massive. Their food is greasy. Their prices are reasonable. Their cuisine is fast-food Chinese. Their delivery time is average.
In broad strokes, that's all you need to know about New Ho King's food. So if you want massive quantities at a reasonable price, and aren't concerned so much with greasy food, then that's your place. Off-the-bat I'd think that it's a good match for students.
Personally, I'm more concerned with getting Chinese that isn't incredibly bad for me. Luckily, having ordered enough from them, I've discovered a tasty order combo that is reasonable, price-wise, tasty and somewhat healthy.
Get the Beef Egg-Drop Soup as a starter and the Steamed Shrimp/Calamari for your main. The starter is great soup in massive portions and the main, well, great steamed food in quick generous portions. Sure, you might say "It's just steamed, how good can the main be?" But they put some tasty sauce on it so it's something I can have pretty much every day and not worry about my dying young from a heart attack.
I'm going to give this place a 4/5 stars. Sure, it's a bit high for a fast-food Chinese place, but it's not going for Cordon Bleu haute cuisine so give it a break. Perhaps if I check out its neighbors and decide that other places do it better, like "Sky" across the street or Rol San down the street (so far I've only ordered the dumplings at Rol San) then I'll downgrade them.
In any case, I figure that if all they had was the Beef Egg-Drop Soup and the Steamed Shrimp/Calamari, I'd give them a 4/5. Those are things I can eat every day and, really, if that's the case, do you really need more than two items? The rest is just gravy... Greasy greasy heart clogging gravy... -
Review from Moritz H.
3/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ordered some food for delivery. They were pretty fast - the food was still hot. Huge portions and the price was ok.
We had some appetizers, then some beef with veggies and spicy sauce, and fried rice. One dish was enough for 2! -
Review from Edwin A.
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
New Ho King is probably one of the most popular restaurant on Spadina strip in Chinatown. There's a line that forms at the entrance for people waiting to get seated around evening time. That's a good sign right? Not exactly, it doesn't necessarily mean that everyone eating here knows what good food is.
The restaurant spans two levels, from it's apperance it's trendy - see some exposed brick on one wall, the furniture is a dark wood laminate tables. Makes you honestly do a double take .. am in really in Chinatown?
Well Yep I am .. the service here is Terrible! With a capital T. Any request seems like a chore.. Please hide the fact you're happy. And why are ya giving me a sour face. It's just a bowl of rice we asked 2 times about..
I feel like the customers treated here are merely a dollar sign. You see your waiter to take your order. They serve it, when it's ready it is expertly thrown on the table like a curling rock. They get you the hell out so they can do it again. slapping those bowls and chopsticks on the table for the next ones. Many times I had felt disgruntled employees in Chinese restaurants -- ive never felt it so strongly until coming here.
They serve up Cantonese cuisine with some Canadian twists. To my delight they had a favorite of mine that I don't see that often. Almond So Guy. Breaded like lemon chicken but with a tasty almond gravy sauce.
We had ordered that together with a sizzling beef tenderloin. I was pleasantly surprised .. the dishes were made very well. So we rounded up some friends to try this place for a pre-Chinese New Years celebration. Raving to them on how good this place and downplaying it being in Chinatown and the unfriendly service.
Well second time around it was garbage. We were red faced throughout dinner, constantly apologizing, we stopped ordering food after 3 dishes cause the quality wasn't getting better. It was plain terrible.
Almost got into an argument with a waiter because they were trying to pass off a dish as something else.. why lie? Because we have a Caucasian guy at our table and we are all speaking English? Doesn't mean we don't know what we are ordering or understand what you're saying behind our backs. If we need to bust out in native Cantonese.. damn we will.
Anyways first time we visited we forgave the service because the food was very good. This time I don't know happened? Completely not worth it and such a waste of money.
Cost is a little higher than competitors around the area but NHK have no problems filling the seats because of the nicer interior appearance compared to other Chinatown restaurants.
But be warned, you fend for yourself here with crap service and food quality depends entirely on who's the chef that night. -
Review from Tommy M.
4/21/2012
One of the best late night places in Toronto. Great place to get authentic from multiple traditions. You can order off of the menu if you know what you are after.
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Review from Reynold P.
Toronto, ON
11/9/2011
New Ho, you were almost a perfect 5.
I remember the days I ordered from you in undergrad. You saved me from starvation with your delivery. Long nights, clubbing, and exam sessions, you're always open.
Always satisfying, filling, slightly greasy but Oh so so good.
You provided me with CHOICES. Many choices even after 2am. You also gave me these choices for 5 bucks? Really, you are too generous. Have I ever told you that? Well, you really are generous. Along that line, you always give me so much food, more than one person should ever eat in one sitting! I always manage to finish most of it, but you are evil, these are big portions for such little price.
Evil and nice I guess...
BTW, since you moved, I did start trying canton chili. The prices are the same and the portions are big too. I don't want to offend you. It's just that, they are nicer there. The service is good and they know me, by name! I know, I haven't given you enough time to figure that out but still, I didn't give them much time either.
But in all honesty, I still do like you most. I'll stop Canton. I'll do it because you guys do it better. The music you play is nice, the atmosphere and seating is nice and the food is just delicious. Flavours are consistent and portions don't change. I like that in you. You're reliable. I really like that.
Just do me a favour, learn my name. One day, sooner or later, you'll get that fifth star. I know you will. -
Review from Raymond W.
Toronto, ON
1/16/2012
There's an ancient Chinese fable of The Frog in the Well. Everyday the frog wakes to his life within the damp well and he stares up from the only spot where light touches at admiration to the sky above it. The sky is a circle to him with the occasional passing cloud and even less occasional moon. To the frog there are all but three stars in the sky.
One day a pelican rests at the edge of the well and the frog greets him. The frog expresses his admiration to the beautiful but little sky there is.
"Isn't it beautiful the small patch of sky?" The frog says to the Pelican.
"Yes," The pelican replies. "But the sky isn't a small patch, it's endless and vast!
"No it's not!" The frog protests. "The sky is a small round patch, I watch it everyday and night from where I stand!"
"From where you stand it is a small patch my friend, but from the outside it's another world!" The Pelican insisted.
"I don't believe you, show me!" The Frog demanded.
The pelican swooped down and took the frog into it's mouth and out of the well, the only world he has ever known, and flew him out into the open.
The pelican opened its beak the frog was stunned. The endless patch of blue and green and other colours, the frog looked about, taking the new world in. The frog realised how little he really knew about anything, and from that day forth the frog never again returned to his dark little well.
New Ho King is that well, and the frogs are the UofT students who know not the world around them, but insist on returning to their damp little hole in the ground believing that this...THIS is what Chinese food really is.
Open late, like the tireless well which water can be tapped at any time, it is the acne on the faces of kinesiology students at St. Michaels college, the crumbs on the floor of the all girls dorm of St. Helga's, and the grease in the hair of those fine a$$ Trinity College heiresses!
New Ho is a pretty good place, but know...KNOWW this. That there is indeed a bigger world! -
Review from August L.
Updated - 11/18/2011
Renovations well overdue!
NEW AND IMPROVED
wow! The place looks so much better with the new top to bottom renovations. It just feels cleaner now. The lazy susans are part of the table instead of ontop of the table. I find them hard to turn but I guess it gives the place a cleaner look.
The place is narrow though and I found myself being hit by people walking by.
FOOD
The food taste the same. meh
PARKING
They still have free parking in the back!Listed in: My Sick (as in Diarrhea) List
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/10/2010
New Ho King is a place we go to every year during the celebration of Chinese New Years.
And to tell… Read more »
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Review from Sharky L.
Toronto, ON
9/29/2011 3 Check-ins Here
this is the perfect 5 star rating restaurant. The food is really good, I know because my parents own a Chinese restaurant. All the dishes was well mad, not too greasy and presentation was great which is rare at restaurants in china town
with the renovation the place looks and feels really good . Even with all this the price is ridiculously low. So you can expect a line up during busy hours. The staff has been super friendly and fun.
this will be one of my top choices. -
Review from Claudia G.
Oakville, ON
8/14/2011
They moved! Two doors down south.
And what do you know? It looks 100 times better. Yes, 100 times! No more plastic bag on tables. No more bathroom stank.
Food-wise, I agree with everything Neil T. had said.
Try the sizzling spicy chicken. It is insanely good. Those little crispy rice thingies? Sprinkle that on your fried rice.. it is DELICIOUS!
Caution: Avoid if you are breaking out. You will probably have the mother of all zits. This is one greasy spoon. -
Review from Stephen B.
Toronto, ON
1/2/2012
ate here last night with old friends and new..., crammed around a little table, and slow service but it was all worth the wait... General Tso Chicken and something not on the menu that is possibly one of our new favourites... Scallops with Ginger and Scallions. It was a non stop line up out the door for the two plus hours we there...
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Review from Imran N.
4/19/2011
my favourite after bar food place is rol san for chinese.
But one day, i was convinced to come to new ho king. I have gone back many times since this one night.
and it changed my life.
1) Finally, a place that actually serves this elusive 'cold tea'
2) So cheap and such large portions i regret never going here during uni
3) I actually bumped into Thievery Corporation here. For real. It was insane. I bought their dinner bill without even thinking about it. -
Review from Monica K.
North York, ON
2/16/2011
When I landed back in Toronto after spending the summer in Alberta, the first place my friends took me to was New Ho King. That experience was alright, but this place gets four stars for their late night delivery service! New Ho King has long been a favorite for students at U of T (downtown) and I can see why:
1) Good chinese food in massive proportions for cheap
2) They deliver until 5AM good for those all nighters at the library
3) The service is so fast your food is still hot when it gets there
4) Delivery charge is only $1 plus tip for orders under $20CA
5) They deliver there so often that they're even familiar with the U of T lingo, which ads to the quality of their service. -
Review from Thomas H.
4/16/2011
The only reason to go here was "cold tea".
And the decision to go normally hinged on the level of alcohol already in your system.
If you're actually looking to eat, there are at least 4-5 better places in Chinatown at any hour of the night.
If you want some recommendations, I can "name names" -
Review from Dan L.
Toronto, ON
This place is awesome for after bar food - I have honestly only been here once when it wasn't after midnight.
Try their spicy calamari it is absolutely DELICIOUS! No other calamari I have had as of yet even compares.
Also if you aren't that hungry ask them about half orders - they won't do it for everything but for a lot of the menu they will! -
Review from Bradley J.
Mississauga, ON
10/6/2011
Exactly what i want from a spadina restaurant.
the new location is nice and clean and the food hits the spot perfectly. We normally order the schezuan beef, beef fried rice, cashew chicken and the chicken corn soup. everything tastes great.
loses one star because the service can be painful at times. I normally don't care much about the service but sometimes they're in a huge rush, sometimes you don't see the server for 30 minutes, sometimes you wont get drinks for 15 minutes and they're always kinda rude but i think thats just the demeanor, no offence intended. its kinda all over the place
still one of the best Americanized Chinese restaurants for food. -
Review from Christian D.
2/13/2011
I've been a ton of times as a poor student, heed my advice:
There's really no reason to go here, unless you're looking to save $1 on your takeout (as it is quite cheap). There's approximately 100 identical restaurants within a 1 minute radius that are worth the extra $1 they charge.
The food: below average. I remember eating beef that barely had the consistency of cooked meat.
The service: They really have no reason to care about you (and don't). This place is packed with a lineup midnight-4am, making a killing off drunk people
The cockroaches: I've seen them with my naked eye. Check their public record http://app.toronto.ca/...
It's a pity they don't display total historical data.. but it lists "inadequate pest control"
Walk across the street to New Sky, or down the street (south) to Taste of China -
Review from Sahra G.
8/17/2010
When my ego gets out of check and I need to be taken down a notch (usually while intoxicated), and I get the hunger I end up at New Ho King.
Their staff gives me the kind of cold treatment that I come to love when I am drunk late at night at a cheap chinese establishment. Like another reviewer quoted "yu ready" "whachuwant" "ya". This is why I tip. I love the indifferent treatment. No honestly. I also like when your food comes they toss it on the table in a "I dont give a crap" manner.
I usually get:
Crispy Spring Rolls
Braised Tofu
Side order of Crispy Noodles
and sometimes if we're really drunk and hungry the Hot & Sour Soup.
This place isnt a good place to go sober. It's a great place when you're loaded tho!
Tip: They have a late night menu which is signifigantly cheaper than the normal menu. When you go in they will always give you the normal menu no matter what time. YOU MUST ASK specifically for the Late Night Menu items on there have the dish and rice for around $4-5. -
Review from James V.
Toronto, ON
3/15/2010
A chilly Wednesday night. 11:00pm. Stomach is growling. What the hell do you go to eat?
Why of course... the answer is very obvious: Chinese food!
Now begs the question, who is the reigning king of late night Chinese food? There are many to choose from in the Chinatown district. But to me, they are all contenders. The only logical choice is The New Ho King! There is no question in my mind that they are the undisputed champion of late night MSG gorge fest.
Don't mind their horrible neon signs and white plastic bag covered tables, because this place knows their food (look next door, and you will notice the restaurant is empty). Speaking of the white plastic table covers, it is actually a really efficient way to clear off the table for the next group hovering over you while you stuff your face. Watch and learn.. you might even want to do this for your own crib.
OK let's stop fucking around. Time to discuss food.
Sweet Chicken Corn Soup! You should always start your meal here with a bowl of this stuff, especially in the winter. When they said "soul food" I am pretty sure this is what they were referring to (who is they? I don't know)
Chicken in Hot Pot? Oooh yeah. Ask for it for bone in (mixed dark & white), or bone out and white meat only. Both are excellent. Nicely caramelized on the outside, tossed with cooked down scallions.
Beef with rice noodle, dry style. Come on. Smokey, beefy, salty... if you don't like this stuff, there is something wrong with you.
Deep fried Calamari! Yeah.. that is the shit! Order it extra spicy for even more kick.
You also can't pass up on their Cantonese Chow Mien. Super crunchy fried noodles, topped with chicken, shrimp, pork and squid. And even some vegetables. Every food group covered. Done.
Mapo Tofu. Order it vegetarian. It owns! Nice classic schezwan flavours here. Lots of tofu.. so it might even be good for you.
Shrimp in Lobster Sauce. Drizzle this masterpiece on all over of your.....
TNHK's fried lice.. sorry, rice, is also legendary status. Really, get whatever you want. Beef, chicken, pork, mushroom, vegetable... it's all good in the hood here. They even have something called fukken riced rice. Can someone try this and report back? Tks.
Don't be shy and order a couple bottles of Tsingtao beer for everyone at the table, because you will need it at the end of your meal after all the grease and salt you have consumed.
It's so bad... but so damn good. -
Review from Neil T.
Toronto, ON
6/23/2009 ROTD 7/2/2009
Leonard just about has everything covered on his review below. I've been a regular at New Ho for about 10 years now, rarely ever going before 'it is time' -- post-bar between 2:30 and 4am.
What they say about the late night menu is true. You get all of your favorite New Ho dishes served with rice for a fraction of the regular menu price.
My favorites include:
- Spicy squid: a must for a starter, the perfect blend of deep fried, spice, and salt. Party in my mouth.
- Hunan chicken/beef on chow mein noodle: a spicy symphony of spicy meat of your choice with onions and green pepper served on a crispy bed of egg noodles.
- General tsao chicken: another spicy and sweet dish of lightly breaded chicken, best served on a bed of rice.
- Lemon chicken: who says bright yellow sauce is bad for you?
- Sweet and sour chicken balls: my dish of choice whenever I feel in a 'damn I wanna be white' mood. An excellent ratio of chicken to batter, deep fried to crisp perfection.
- Chicken and green bean (in black bean sauce): probably my favorite dish. This is an awesome display of greasy green beans and chicken stir fried in a black bean sauce. I think that the beans are flash-fried in oil because a vegetable can't be this greasy without outside influence.
Easily the best spot in Chinatown to get late night food. They also deliver, but the food isn't as good (especially the squid). However, items like the Hunan noodle is even better the morning after.
**Thanks for making this the ROTD! I am honoured!** -
Review from Chris and Tami T.
7/3/2009
We drove for 8 hours, got out of the car and ordered some food. That's when it happened. A girl roller-bladed her body into this restaurant and placed an order. It was smooth, it was slick, it was a flashback to times when I thought about roller-blades.
I thought I ordered shrimp in lobster sauce on a plate but I got shrimp in a bowl of lobster sauce/soup and it was alright. My dinner partners (business partners, road trip partners, partners in crime) enjoyed their meal more than I.
Then that girl roller-bladed out, dinner in hand and I wished I knew what she had ordered. -
Review from Bijan V.
8/12/2008 1 Check-in Here
New Ho King is your standard China Town Chinese restaurant. They have a wide variety of standard Chinese cuisine at very good prices. Biggest plus is that they deliver (VERY late into the night - might even be 24-7 for your Chinese food cravings - although delivery might take a while)
For this reason, most people who have New Ho King tend to be UofT students, cramming late nights and realizing at 3 a.m. that they forgot to have dinner!
Unfortunately their food is EXTREMELY greasy and you`ll find that if you manage to finish their rather large portions, you will be left with a bit of a stomach ache.
Regardless for the price of the food and the convenience, it is not a bad option for chinese food at 2 in the morning or if you`re walking around aimlessly after a drunken night on Richmond street. -
Review from Kirsten S.
2/25/2009
I cant tell you how many orders of Chicken and Black Bean sauce I scarfed down from this place during my U of T years. I dont think i have ever had such a fond connection with a crummy little chinese restaurant.
I spent 4 years (yes, i graduated in 4 years, assholes) of my life completely entranced by this place.
Just seeing the sign of the restaurant makes me want to cry greasy tears of drunken nostalgia. Im sure it comes as no surprise to any of you that i have a very spotty memory about my college years, but of the memories that do remain, about 50% of them incorporate either eating at New Ho King or getting delivery from New Ho King.
No joke, i have seriously had dreams that i was back at this place crammed into the little table next to the filthy aquariums spilling piles of rice all over myself while drunkenly trying to figure out what i was doing with my life.
To me, hese dreams are better than erotic dreams. Well, they kind of are erotic dreams....but thats a whole other issue and this is neither the time nor the place.
I love you New Ho King. -
Review from Greg L.
Toronto, ON
7/23/2009
This is the place to eat for late night greasy Chinese food. This is even good for dinner or even breakfast! :o)
But seriously; 3am Chinese never tasted so good.
Recommendations: Spicy Calamari, Beef with Baby Bak Choy; Ho King Special Fried Chicken (In a sizzling pot) will keep you coming back
Favorites: Fish Maul Soup; Baby Clams with Black Bean Sauce; Grouper with Black Bean Sauce on a Sizzling Platter; Shrimp and Snow Peas.... the list goes on and on -
Review from Ricardo K.
7/18/2011
Now at there new location, a more modern atmosphere. As always, the food here rocks. Love the Chinese food in Toronto.
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Review from Melissa J.
Toronto, ON
11/10/2008
I must say, New Ho is probably one of my favourite Chinatown spots. Not only because they have fed me when I was dying of hunger at 4 am, but because they have the best hot and sour soup EVER, and because they have a secret late night menu.
Yes, it's a secret, and I don't even want to tell everyone about it, but here goes: New Ho preys on all the drunk idiots who stumble in from Richmond Street at 3 am because they don't know about the Late Night Menu. If you ask for this menu, the server will silently go grab the menu and hand it to you in the least obvious way, so no one else sees. Everything on the Late Night Menu is the same as the day menu, except WAY cheaper.
New Ho is a delicious, Chinese restaurant with the typical plastic tablecloths and pots of Jasmine tea, and they even humour you with fortune cookies (ever since I learned that fortune cookies don't actually exist in China, I've been less enthusiastic about them). It's also the restaurant used in one of the Ontario Government commercials warning teenagers not to start gambling -- the one where all the friends are waiting for the one kid who is still at home addicted to playing Poker. Classic.
Anyway, I'd like to think New Ho is a Toronto staple, so if you're coming here for a visit, give it a chance. And now that you know about the Late Night Menu, you can enjoy the wonderful, greasy food for super cheap. I know. You're welcome. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
1/26/2009 5 photos
New Ho King is way more than a drunken U of T hangout. Go earlier in the day, and you'll only see Asian people!
They have THE best calimari -- long strips coated with the perfect batter, and no squiggly gross tentacle bits. (Yes, I'm squeamish.) The steamed pickerel platter was subtle and amazing, and the standard sweet and sour pork was a right dream, allowing me to give in to my Chinese-Canadian upbringing. Above all this, the snowpea shoots were absolutely the greatest greens to ever exist on a plate.
With that, mixed with the efficient service? I think I've found my new favourite standard Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. Take that to the bank. -
Review from Feifei R.
Vancouver, BC
7/5/2011
i had eggplant with minced meat with rice.
Huge portion, but mostly because they give you ridiculous amount of rice! There are still quiet a bit of eggplant, good, but not impressive. -
Review from Jessica A.
6/24/2011
I've eaten here twice. First time was in the restaurant after a long day of sight seeing with out-of-towners. Food was hot, fresh, fast and lots of it! We took food home and we all had lunch the next day. Awesome! A couple months later my husband and I do take out and it wasnt nearly as satisfying. I think the key is to eat in house when its hot and fresh. It's definitely worth trying. Also you can't beat the price, totally reasonable. Good for kids and families.
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Review from Justin S.
3/13/2010
Usually I would refuse to believe that you can tell a New Yorker about Chinese cuisine, but as it turns out, I have been told. Being curious about Toronto's Chinatown and in the mood for some good Chinese food, we ventured over to Spadina Avenue and found New Ho King. All I can say is "wow." This place is excellent!
The menu is extensive and offers a familiar array of Chinese favorites including soups, meat dishes, dumplings and noodles. I ordered a spicy chicken with peanuts stir-fry, which may very well be the best Chinese dish I've ever had anywhere. It was fresh, had just the right amount of spice and the flavors were awesome. The portion was literally the size of my head, so dishes here could very easily be split, but at this price, it's fun to order a couple things and sample. My friend ordered the General Tso's Chicken (the dish by which I judge all Chinese restaurants), and it was like nothing I've had before. The sauce definitely tasted like it had cherry juice in it to me, and it was delicious.
The only odd thing about this place is that they charge $3.00 for a side of rice, but hey, the prices are all really low, so what can you do? The place is pretty cafeteria-like and brightly lit, but was crowded with actual Chinese people (good sign) and the service was super fast and friendly. Overall, highly recommended and I'm definitely looking forward to coming back here. -
Review from David B.
Toronto, ON
10/3/2011
I ordered from them using just-eat at midnight. They delivered within 2 minutes of the expected delivery time. Good stuff. I got the Spicy Crispy Shredded Beef and the Ho King Special Fried Rice. The portions are ridiculous. I was seriously impressed before even taking a bite at that point. The Ho King Special Fried Rice is good but most Chinese restaurants can get fried rice right. I've never tried Spicy Crispy Shredded Beef before at any restaurant so it was a nice surprise. A bit sweet, a bit spicy and 100% deliciousness.The only problem was I didn't taste any beef at all. Just a lot of deep-fried batter. Still, I can see it being a great meal after a night of drunken rowdiness.
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Review from Leonard C.
Toronto, ON
6/15/2009
New Ho King is where the party continues -- and not just in your mouth.
Where else can you saunter (stagger) in at 2, 3 or 4 am and still quench your insatiable urge to continue the swilling simply by asking one of your snazzy hairdo'd waiters for a pot of "cold tea"? If you don't mind drinking "tea" that smells like barley and hops way after last call -- this place is for you.
If you're NOT an alky and just an admirer of cantonese cuisine, then this place is also for you. Truth be told and all things considered -- New Ho King is the hands down best Chinese restaurant on the Spadina strip.
There. I said it. And its true. They've never been red-signed like Swatow, they don't overdo the garlic like Rol San does and any other contender on the strip just isn't part of the conversation.
Too much grease? Perhaps they lay it on a bit thick but if you're ordering fried noodle Cantonese Chow Mein -- what do you expect?
The staples are good -- Shrimp and Lobster Sauce over white rice, the aforementioned Cantonese Chow Mein with the noodles deep fried to just the right crunch and even General Tso's and Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls for those of you whose knowledge of chinese cuisine extends not far past Manchu Wok.
New Ho King really shines when you go off the beaten path. The Spicy Beef is shreds of beef rolled in sugar and pan-fried -- bet you didn't know that beef could be a candy. The Spicy Salted Seafood is like the Treasures of the Sea from Full House -- sea scallops, shrimps and squid deep fried with chilies and dusted with sea salt. No wonder there's always a full house here.
Finally, my favourite -- and you won't find this on the menu -- but the guys will know exactly what to give you if you ask for Chicken with Black Bean Sauce over Crispy Fried Egg Noodles. A frankenstein mish-mash creation that is the result of a mating between a Cantonese Chow Mein and a Black Bean Sauce dish -- dripping with greasy goodness.
Some more tidbits from a New Ho King frequent flyer:
- New Ho King is the restaurant in the Public Service Announcement commercial currently on TV about Gambling Addiction. Ironic, since a trip to New Ho King is NEVER a gamble.
- One of the original owners and most popular waiters, Albert moved to mainland China and opened up a restaurant -- he was supposed to come back, but never did. Want to be treated like family? Ask the waiters, "Where's Albert?"
- Not much of a secret anymore, but if you're low on cash and its late at night -- ask the waiter for the Late Night Menu. Lots of great choices for $6 or less (including the aforementioned Shrimp and Lobster Sauce over Rice).
- Probably still a secret and even more interesting -- smile the right way and be polite -- they'll let you order off the Late Night Menu at 4pm in the afternoon.
New Ho King is lovingly referred to by its devotees as simply "New Ho" -- but despite the shortened moniker, one thing is for sure:
As far as Chinese Restaurants on the Spadina strip go, "New Ho" is definitely, hands-down -- THE KING. -
Review from Steve P.
5/3/2010 4 photos
It is with feelings of bittersweet joy that I sit down to write my review of NHK. For the past year and a half I have been making monthly treks to Toronto visiting my fiancee while we waited for her immigration paperwork to finish. Well, that time has come and she is now in the states with me, effectively bringing my visits here to a trickle.
Inevitably it would be late at night/very early morning and we would be hungry and what else is better at 3AM than having dinner and a floor show? Anytime after midnight, you are pretty much guaranteed to see something that will make you talk about it later. One visit my fiancee witnessed a bachelor party in the back with more food on the table than I could shake a stick at, and the guys too drunk to even notice. However, that's isn't really important in the long run, what is important is that we never had a bad meal here. Not once in 6 visits totaling more than 8 hours sitting, enjoying the day. She loves getting the Shrimp in Spicy garlic sauce with Eggplant, and the crab corn chowder soup. I am a huge fan of the Cantonese style beef on a hot plate with onions. Between us we've eaten a lot of things on the menu and didn't even make a dent on being able to say we've tried most of it. But we did enjoy all of it.
However, what I think I will miss the most is the entertaining service that comes along with your meal. We nicknamed one of our favorites "Mr Happy" it always brought a smile to my face when I would walk in and see him just as pissed as ever hating his job to the point of it being funny. Here's an actual conversation that took place between us and him.
He walks up to the chair a the table beside us (Mind you we were in the front leftmost table up front) put both hands on the chair and stretched his back much like a cat does upon waking up. He stares at the ceiling for a second and then it starts.
Him - "You ready yet?!?!"
Us - "Yeah"
Him - "Whachuwant!?"
Us - "Cantonese beef on a hotplate and pork chow mein"
Him - "Ya!"
Takes his hands off the chair, back straightens up, and he walks away. We were quite flabbergasted but also laughing our faces off at the same time since we're fairly laid back at 2AM. Since I didn't want a Katana through the heart I didn't bother saying much, but this incident did lead to the founding of "Mr. Happy".
I see that I am just babbling here, so to sum up, here goes. There is nothing amazing about the atmosphere here it is simple as it is effective. Get a seat, give the order, eat the food..There is nothing fantastic about the service or prices, you'll get water, tea, and the occasional refill. Servers know what things are in case you see something on a table you like they can help you identify it. The food is great tasting, the hours are perfect for night people, and it's always a good show late at night. I will truly miss eating here a few times a month. -
Review from May B.
Vancouver, BC
7/28/2010
So I visited New Ho King on a Sunday afternoon with a group of 50 other starving college kids. No joke. We pretty much took up the entire restaurant.
Did I mention we were all starving? We were ravenous. The menus offered choice upon tantalizing choice and since everybody wanted a piece of everything, we went gung-ho on the menus and ordered one of almost everything. Soon our lazy susan's were loaded up and the restaurant turned into a frenzied feeding ground for hungry Asian college kids. I guess it's safe to say that my dining experience at New Ho King was a bit different than most.
However what stood out for me the most were three things: the food, the price, and the service. Now, anything would've tasted good at that point but I did like that of all the dishes I sampled (I ate so much I can't exactly remember what I ate) nothing struck me as overly greasy or artificial. It was your average, if not slightly better, Chinese food fare. Now the prices were amazing. You could order almost any dish for under $10 and the platter would be huge. Our group of 50 ended up paying about $13/person including tip, and considering the amount of food that we went through, it was worth it. And the service! I was most impressed with this. Imagine, a candy shop overrun with children. We were everywhere. And yet the staff managed to keep the food coming out quick and hot, pushing past our migrating bodies table to table without dropping a thing, and providing us with water/napkins/utensils/etc right when we were in need. We were pretty rude patrons I admit, but not once were we treated rudely in return.
To top off the dining experience? A very funny round table of fortune cookie readings, adding "in bed" to the end of each fortune. Good memories. -
Review from Nick C.
Toronto, ON
10/13/2009
I had New Ho King delivered. I did not/do not/do not plan to go to UT. Those things said, and understanding there may be some ambiance-related pieces I am missing, the food was not so good although delivery service in both depth of menu (its like a road map of food....just keeps on unfolding) as well as open hours was impressive. I would not totally rule out ordering here again...but it's going to have to be pretty late at night and probably a push between being conscious or passed out when the food arrives.
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Review from Todd H.
Toronto, ON
12/2/2009
Great prices, large servings, and a huge menu make this a good choice. Next time I will look for something less greasy though. They will also deliver all the way to Lake Shore Blvd -that's quite a free delivery radius!
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Review from Simon N.
Scarborough, ON
7/31/2009
"The one with L50, Spicy Pork Chop on Rice."
Good:
Late night delivery till 3AM; wide variety of foods from their night menu (if it hasn't changed, there should still be at least 50+ items); free delivery for a total order greater than $10 subtotal (if you're a UT student presumably living in a UT residence); relatively OK service speed (normally 30 minutes to 45 minutes since your call); delivery guy can be very friendly (depends on who it is); CHEAP!
The Bad:
GREASY!; delivery guy can be very unfriendly (depends on who it is); make you never want to eat that overly-priced already-paid for residence food again (if you're living at a residence)
Overview:
Ah, New Ho King. I don't even know where to begin...it's offered me so much "sustenance" for the past 3 years to the point where I was bestowed the title of "New Ho King" king in my first year as an undergraduate living in residence. Yes, I had New Ho's THAT much. Why? My residence food was THAT bad. Thankfully, I have a hyper metabolism so I don't gain the least bit weight. In fact, I'm probably under weight?
Anyway, I hate to admit it but this was the only reasonable option that we residents had since we often didn't want to or have time to go out. It especially helped that during all those all-nighters when nothing was opened at 2AM in the morning and you'd be hankering for some good ol' greasy Chinese food. Yes, the food is greasy and yes you're so likely to have a stomach ache in the morning and yes it's horrible to eat a full course meal at 3 in the morning...but who cares? We were students (=.
The prices are pretty reasonable, with most of their late-night menu foods priced around the $5 mark. I remember in my second year I created a table using MS Excel that calculated the after tax prices of all their items along with "what you should pay", showing you how much tip you'd then be paying (still have it too haha). $6 after taxes can get you pretty much a good meal (see http://www.imhungry.ca for their menu).
Recommendations? Get L50, Spicy Pork Chop on Rice (used to call it SPORK). Everyone has had that once in their lifetime as a UT resident. It's that food that everyone recognizes as greasy Chinese food but man is it ever tasty. It's basically deep fried pork chop with spicy peppers and salt served over a box of rice. Not in the mood for deep fried foods? Try their noodles, pretty decent quality and tons of them. Just don't get their BBQ pork chow mein....not saying it's bad or anything but if you've ever had BBQ pork before in your life (and I mean real BBQ pork from a place that serves BBQ Pork, Chicken, etc.), then you'll know their BBQ pork is so artificial in its taste. Tastes like instant BBQ pork, if that helps describe it in words. I personally ate L1 (Shrimps in Lobster Sauce on Rice) more than anything else. It's not what it sounds like (you don't get pieces of Lobster), rather it's minced pork in some lobsterisqe saucy served over rice. Get this if you like having white rice mixed with some sort of sauce. I've pretty much tried out everything on their menu sometime in my life but I think these few are those that even if you've had them for 3 years, you can't get tired of them (=.
The delivery boys are well...it depends. Sometimes you get this really nice skinny Asian young man who's very polite. Generally everyone I know tips him well. On occasion you get this not so polite Asian man who one time stared at me and asked "That's It?" when I gave him a 10% tip, which I think is pretty reasonable considering I ordered from them nearly twice every week.
If you want, you can go dine-in although you wouldn't get the late night menu since that starts at 10PM. You can still order them, but they're about $1 to $2 more expensive. Overall, NHK saved my life for the past 3 years and if you're in the mood for cheap, greasy Chinese food downtown and aren't picky with what you eat (if you're a UT resident then you won't have any problem with being picky at all), you can't go wrong with New Ho (nobody calls it New Ho King except the guy who answers the phone).Listed in: Best Safe Eats Downtown…
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Review from Henry F.
London, ON
1/1/2010
Pretty good food. Reliable, in terms of consistency.
