Bo Ky Photos
Business Info
BO KY ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Bo Ky
Recommended Reviews - Bo Ky
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
What a disappointment from years ago. Waiter was extremely rude and disrespectful. Waitress kept eyeing us. I thought she wanted to grab tip? Anyway food was subpar. Menu was greasy. And upon paying bill, waiter rushed up to cashier and asked if we had paid. I wish we didn't leave a tip. Soooo rude.
If you don't mind a no-frills type of establishment with mediocre service and dingy setup, you'll be in for a good time with the food. I grew up eating here and over the decades, the food has been consistently delicious. The portion size and price didn't exactly remain the same, but I don't blame them with inflation. Here are a few dishes to try if it's your first time (or even if you already have a go-to but want to experiment): Fish dumpling noodle soup - Your choice of egg noodle or flat noodles. I like the egg noodle with it. The fish dumpling is most likely made in house since I've never seen these dumplings elsewhere, not even in other Chinese-Vietnamese restaurants. The dumpling isn't too fishy and the broth is addicting (think wonton mein broth but better). A few drops of sirarcha can really elevate it. Beef belly noodle soup - Again, your choice of noodles. The beef belly is tender but the best thing about this dish is the soup. It's kind of like borscht soup but more savory. It's tangy, tomato-y, and deeply flavorful. I don't usually order beef belly but whenever I'm craving this soup, I'll get it. You can also choose beef tendons instead of beef belly. Teochew duck - Although it's a fusion Chinese-Vietnamese eatery, there's a strong focus on Teochew cuisine here. Teochew is a type of regional Chinese food. The duck you'll find here tastes different from the roast duck at your regular schmegular Chinese restaurant. It's less crispy, meat is softer, and more dependent on the sauce that it comes with. Squid - The orange squid here is so delightfully chewy and seafoody. My family likes to get this to go as a side dish for dinner.
This is truly a gem of a hole-in-the-wall. I've tried coming here a few times but always get intimidated by all the locals that seem to be in here, but that's really saying something. When I stepped inside, I was immediately welcomed and brought to a table with another solo diner. They gave me a menu and cup of hot tea right away, which was nice. I decided on #3 Beef Belly with Egg Noodle Soup ($12). My food was ready within minutes and I finished it even quicker. Oh my goodness, this bowl was perfection! The egg noodles is bouncy, the beef and tendon were tender, and broth was just divine and bursting of flavor. You really don't even need any sauce added because it's so flavorful already. I licked this bowl to the last drop. When you're all done, go up to the front cashier and pay. Note that this place is cash only though. Definitely wish I came here sooner, but will be back on a regular basis.
LOVE THIS PLACE!! Giant bowl of hearty noodles with lots of meat for such a good price. Noodles were bouncy and meat was nicely marinated. Went here when I was sick and I swear it cured me. Service and cleanliness is meh but that's how you know it's legit.
Went to this place after refusing to wait on line for another restraurant, originally we wanted to eat somewhere down the street but there was a 30min wait around 5:30pm so we went to this place instead. There was no wait we were seated immediately. They take card and cash but they charge more for card. We got various dishes, pork chops over rice, spring rolls, curry noodle bowl, roast duck, and their classic soup noodles. Everything was very good and came out very quickly.
Food: The food is very average here although I know this is a very well-known restaurant in Chinatown that has been around for many years. We tried the braised duck noodle, curry chicken with wide rice noodles, BBQ pork chop rice, and boiled greens. The best dish out of all of them was the curry chicken with noodles although you can get curry like this in other restaurants in Chinatown. The braised duck was disappointing and seemed like it wasn't fresh. THe BBQ pork chop had good flavor but was a bit dry and tough. The boiled greens were also underwhelming and not the freshest. Overall, I wasn't impressed by the food and won't be returning here. Service: The staff here are pretty elderly and probably have been working there for decades. They were generally pretty nice but don't really come to check on you after you get your food. Many of them are casually sitting around at other tables on their phones unless they are needed. Ambiance: The restaurant is not the cleanest and nicest. It's pretty old and run down. It's a casual spot with many tables for both small and large groups. Overall, I would not recommend this restaurant.
Highly recommend if you want a quick and affordable meal!! Both noodles were sooooo flavorful. The service is also super quick. My order came out within 3 minutes and I'm not even exaggerating!! There's tons of seating inside but it does get packed so you might have to wait a bit. CASH ONLY ESTABLISHMENT
This is a neighborhood staple. Upon entry they ask you how many people and the seat you with the possibility of sharing tables with others if they are extremely busy. The walls are white with pictures of some popular or recommended menu items. This is a cash only place. They asked you if you want hot tea or warm water. Then they take your order. This is comfortable and fast food. We end up ordered the country brined duck on rice, zhou zou kwo tew noodle soup & fried shrimp to. The food comes quickly and hot. The food is just comfort, consistent and crave able. Also affordable. Definitely a regular spot for locals and worth the try.
This place was mediocre. We were very excited to try this place since the I've never had Teochew food and my friend is Teochew. After getting seated, my friend tried speaking Teochew and they didn't know what he was saying, and sort of just watched and waited for us to order, without leaving the table. Talk about feeling rushed. We also never got checked up on or drinks refilled. When we checked out (cash only), the lady in the front didn't speak Teochew either and insisted on keeping the whole $40 cash we had when it was $33, as a tip. Very unprofessional. Food itself was alright. Definitely wasn't a top 10 in our foodie trip. Not enough shrimp, too much fatty pieces/not enough meat. Broth was ok. Bathroom was disgusting. Disappointed in our visit.
This place is still awesome despite all the years. The country duck, fish cakes, beef balls, noodles. A unique mix where you can't get anywhere else. Come hungry. And yes knowing Cantonese definitely helps. No frills ambiance. Service may be rude but it's Ctown
Tried and true BoKy I love you! Solid and so many different options to choose from. Love their hot sauce
Simple, old-school Teochew spot. Fish cakes were great -- crispy outside, soft inside. Noodles were solid. The Sour Cabbage and Pork Intestines was quite sour. Service is normal, but food is worth it.
Being the only 潮州 place in Chinatown I guess I was expecting more. Had the 滷水鴨 on rice and it was alright.
4 months ago
What started as a quick, light meal ended up being surprisingly filling! The mini spring rolls were incredibly flavorful, and the sweet chili sauce paired perfectly with their crispy exterior. I was craving some protein, so I went with the lemongrass steak -- slightly fatty, but still tender and satisfying. The pickled radish complemented the steak beautifully, and the rice soaked up all the savory flavors from the dish. Overall, it was a delicious meal and reasonably affordable, especially in today's economy. One thing to keep in mind: this is very much an authentic Asian mom-and-pop spot. The atmosphere is busy, fast-paced, and constantly bustling with people coming and going. Also, they are cash-only! read more
4 months ago
I've been coming here for literally 40 years... today is sadly going to be the last time I ever come back again. The Chiu Chow Duck I was served for lunch today is disgusting! The audacity for them to serve this and think it's okay... if you don't care, just close up your shop!!! read more
What a disappointment from years ago. Waiter was extremely rude and disrespectful. Waitress kept eyeing us. I thought she wanted to grab tip? Anyway food was subpar. Menu was greasy. And upon paying bill, waiter rushed up to cashier and asked if we had paid. I wish we didn't leave a tip. Soooo rude. read more
If you don't mind a no-frills type of establishment with mediocre service and dingy setup, you'll be in for a good time with the food. I grew up eating here and over the decades, the food has been consistently delicious. The portion size and price didn't exactly remain the same, but I don't blame them with inflation. Here are a few dishes to try if it's your first time (or even if you already have a go-to but want to experiment): Fish dumpling noodle soup - Your choice of egg noodle or flat noodles. I like the egg noodle with it. The fish dumpling is most likely made in house since I've never seen these dumplings elsewhere, not even in other Chinese-Vietnamese restaurants. The dumpling isn't too fishy and the broth is addicting (think wonton mein broth but better). A few drops of sirarcha can really elevate it. Beef belly noodle soup - Again, your choice of noodles. The beef belly is tender but the best thing about this dish is the soup. It's kind of like borscht soup but more savory. It's tangy, tomato-y, and deeply flavorful. I don't usually order beef belly but whenever I'm craving this soup, I'll get it. You can also choose beef tendons instead of beef belly. Teochew duck - Although it's a fusion Chinese-Vietnamese eatery, there's a strong focus on Teochew cuisine here. Teochew is a type of regional Chinese food. The duck you'll find here tastes different from the roast duck at your regular schmegular Chinese restaurant. It's less crispy, meat is softer, and more dependent on the sauce that it comes with. Squid - The orange squid here is so delightfully chewy and seafoody. My family likes to get this to go as a side dish for dinner. read more
This is truly a gem of a hole-in-the-wall. I've tried coming here a few times but always get intimidated by all the locals that seem to be in here, but that's really saying something. When I stepped inside, I was immediately welcomed and brought to a table with another solo diner. They gave me a menu and cup of hot tea right away, which was nice. I decided on #3 Beef Belly with Egg Noodle Soup ($12). My food was ready within minutes and I finished it even quicker. Oh my goodness, this bowl was perfection! The egg noodles is bouncy, the beef and tendon were tender, and broth was just divine and bursting of flavor. You really don't even need any sauce added because it's so flavorful already. I licked this bowl to the last drop. When you're all done, go up to the front cashier and pay. Note that this place is cash only though. Definitely wish I came here sooner, but will be back on a regular basis. read more
3 months ago
LOVE THIS PLACE!! Giant bowl of hearty noodles with lots of meat for such a good price. Noodles were bouncy and meat was nicely marinated. Went here when I was sick and I swear it cured me. Service and cleanliness is meh but that's how you know it's legit. read more
Went to this place after refusing to wait on line for another restraurant, originally we wanted to eat somewhere down the street but there was a 30min wait around 5:30pm so we went to this place instead. There was no wait we were seated immediately. They take card and cash but they charge more for card. We got various dishes, pork chops over rice, spring rolls, curry noodle bowl, roast duck, and their classic soup noodles. Everything was very good and came out very quickly. read more
Food: The food is very average here although I know this is a very well-known restaurant in Chinatown that has been around for many years. We tried the braised duck noodle, curry chicken with wide rice noodles, BBQ pork chop rice, and boiled greens. The best dish out of all of them was the curry chicken with noodles although you can get curry like this in other restaurants in Chinatown. The braised duck was disappointing and seemed like it wasn't fresh. THe BBQ pork chop had good flavor but was a bit dry and tough. The boiled greens were also underwhelming and not the freshest. Overall, I wasn't impressed by the food and won't be returning here. Service: The staff here are pretty elderly and probably have been working there for decades. They were generally pretty nice but don't really come to check on you after you get your food. Many of them are casually sitting around at other tables on their phones unless they are needed. Ambiance: The restaurant is not the cleanest and nicest. It's pretty old and run down. It's a casual spot with many tables for both small and large groups. Overall, I would not recommend this restaurant. read more
Highly recommend if you want a quick and affordable meal!! Both noodles were sooooo flavorful. The service is also super quick. My order came out within 3 minutes and I'm not even exaggerating!! There's tons of seating inside but it does get packed so you might have to wait a bit. CASH ONLY ESTABLISHMENT read more
8 days ago
19 days ago
This is a neighborhood staple. Upon entry they ask you how many people and the seat you with the possibility of sharing tables with others if they are extremely busy. The walls are white with pictures of some popular or recommended menu items. This is a cash only place. They asked you if you want hot tea or warm water. Then they take your order. This is comfortable and fast food. We end up ordered the country brined duck on rice, zhou zou kwo tew noodle soup & fried shrimp to. The food comes quickly and hot. The food is just comfort, consistent and crave able. Also affordable. Definitely a regular spot for locals and worth the try. read more
This place was mediocre. We were very excited to try this place since the I've never had Teochew food and my friend is Teochew. After getting seated, my friend tried speaking Teochew and they didn't know what he was saying, and sort of just watched and waited for us to order, without leaving the table. Talk about feeling rushed. We also never got checked up on or drinks refilled. When we checked out (cash only), the lady in the front didn't speak Teochew either and insisted on keeping the whole $40 cash we had when it was $33, as a tip. Very unprofessional. Food itself was alright. Definitely wasn't a top 10 in our foodie trip. Not enough shrimp, too much fatty pieces/not enough meat. Broth was ok. Bathroom was disgusting. Disappointed in our visit. read more
6 months ago
This place is still awesome despite all the years. The country duck, fish cakes, beef balls, noodles. A unique mix where you can't get anywhere else. Come hungry. And yes knowing Cantonese definitely helps. No frills ambiance. Service may be rude but it's Ctown read more
1 year ago
While eating at bo ky, the table next to me was a couple eating together. They finished their meal, but when the bill came the guy pointed out to the waiter that his soup had a roach and left it on a napkin for the waiter to see. The waiter then only charged for the bowl that didn't have the bug. Hmmm could the guy have found the bug in the end or the middle of the meal. His bowl was completely finished. He wore a suit, a professional working guy. But at the same time, I wasn't surprised bo ky has a possible roach problem... Would still go back to try their beef curry soup noodles next time. Ordered the #1 on the menu with flat rice noodles. It was pig liver and pig intestines. The soup was really flavorful. The pig liver and pig intestines might need some of the sauce if you are not used to the taste and texture. When you come here, expect it to be somewhat clean, food and flavor is good. Service can be a hit or miss. But prices are good and stomach should leave full with low chances of possible accidental bugs in your soup. read more
10 months ago
This is your typical looking Chinese-Canton restaurant. This restaurant was specifically recommended to me for the duck. My friend said when she visits NYC, she would go to this restaurant to order a whole duck and check it at the airport to bring it back to Texas!! Now if that doesn't tell you, this is a duck that's worth trying if you are ever in NYC, I'm not sure what will! So with that being the intro, let me explain! This most likely marinated in some sweeten soy sauce and then boiled at the perfect temperature to get that Hainanese style chicken texture. It is extremely tender, moist, flavorful!! Highly recommend eating it with a noodle dish or just rice! We were there just for the duck and nothing more because our trip was short and there was an entire food itinerary to check off. I highly recommend this DUCK! read more
I came here during a Chinatown food crawl and had my friend make a "make-shift hu tieu" as I was CRAVING some hu tieu. The interior of the restaurant is a bit older and there are lots of tables for you to sit at to enjoy your food. The service is a bit rough, but pretty quick. We got their beef soup noodles and added a variety of seafood to make a "make-shift" hu tieu. While this isn't a technical menu item, it was pretty good! The bowl was hearty, filling, and very comforting. The only complaint I would have is that their meat quality was okay, and the shrimp wasn't cleaned properly. read more
CASH ONLY. This is a no frills restaurant that has good duck noodle soup. I recommend the mushroom, duck, and flat noodle soup. It has a light flavor and the duck is simple and has a clean flavor. The soup also has bean sprouts in it which give a nice crunch. I personally like just using sriracha for the soup as it's delicious as just that. The only reason I think this is a 3 out of 5 is because I feel like cleanliness could be a little better here. Additionally, as other reviewers have mentioned, this place does scam you in a sense. The soup on the menu clearly says $12, but the restaurant will charge you $15 without even saying why. I feel like the soup is overpriced in that sense for what you get. Just be prepared for them to charge you more for your meal without any reason/receipt. read more
1 year ago
08.16.2025 @ 12:28pm Walk in for a table of 2. When come chinatown i would choose to come here because this is the only authentic chiu-chow restaurant left in the while NY. Same old service. read more
This is a old school Chinese. Expect the classic Chinatown (lack of) service. It's a scruffy place. They gave my mother in law the wrong dish and when she told them, they said she must have said the wrong dish. The bathrooms are average for Chinatown, could be worse. At least we were promptly seated. I ordered the 11 and 17. 11 is mushroom with roast duck egg noodle soup. The noodles were great, the soup was salty but tasty. The duck was pretty solid. The 17 was a house special beef noodle soup. The hor fun / rice noodle was fresh and the soup fragrant . The meat was not so great. I think air on the side of caution and go for roast duck for meat and rice noodles. read more
As a Chinatown institution serving Chinese/Vietnamese food, I was excited to get some comfort food after the long trip. We started off with some fish cakes that had a nice fried outer shell, but a nice bouncy texture. For our mains we got the Wonton Noodle Soups which was very nostalgic. The noodles were perfectly al dente and the wonton were decent. However, the broth was the star as it was light, but had a deep umami flavor as well. Your typical no frills Asian restaurant that focuses mainly on food. Apps: Fish Cakes Entrees: Wonton Noodle Soup read more
8 months ago
always hits and good value for $$ Was seated right away with my bf at prime lunch time on a Sunday afternoon. We both ordered our usuals beef ball keow tew and cambodian haw fun. Came super quick and so flavorful. Bf added extra noodles/larger bowl for +$3. The restroom was pretty decent for Chinatown standards as well. read more
4 months ago
I've loved Bo Ky since I was a child. Been back many times of course and pretty much nothing has changed except the prices. If it's your first time here, definitely order the country duck or country chicken. The chicken usually sells out by late afternoon so get it while you can. The place is no frills and cash only. The staff is slightly rude but that's part of the old school Chinatown charm. Chicken over rice is my usual go to but I felt like something different this time. I went with a delicious bowl of beef stew over thick noodles and added some beef balls. It was delicious, quick, and filling. The broth has a tomato base to it that's full of umami. That said, I was surprised to find out this guy cost $18. Not expensive if I was eating in Midtown, but for Chinatown? I was surprised. I'd still recommend coming here but for transparency, they currently have a C on their door. read more
I will recommend you to try Bo Ky if you are around New York city Chinatown and are craving for Teochew food. Obviously they're not either Combodian or Vietnamese type of Teochew food with a fancier decoration. It's a restaurant with 10-15 tables, crowded, not very spacious, and many staffs who speak Cantonese. Good signs for the food quality in this type of food: cash only, many local customers and repeated customers, old menus and less types of food. They all have these good signs. During the peak hours, you will probably need to share a table with other customers. Since Teochew rice noodles are almost readily available, they serve food fast. I tried the rice noddle soup, come with pork liver, pork kidney, egg, pork heart, etc all with very tasty flavor, those in my memory as a kid. The duck comes with a great portion and flavor too. Check it out, you taste like going back to Teochew! read more
This place gets BUSYYY. On the weekends, there are usually crowds out the door waiting for tables. Ultimate favorite dish to get is the Satay Beef Ho Fun (I think it is the Teo Chew Sate Flat Noodle on the menu). Bold flavor, peanut-y, good amount of sliced beef. Favorite soup noodle is the Cambodian Ho Fun (#2 on the menu but I just ask for ho fun noodles instead). Make your own dipping sauce from the hoisin, sriracha, chili sauce, and chili oils at the table. Loaded with sliced pork, 2-3 shrimps and fish balls, and minced pork in the broth. I get their Beef Belly Flat Noodle Soup from time to time. The meat can be a bit overcooked at times but the tendons are always soft. The most no-frills of all no-frills restaurants. Don't expect good service--honestly you'll probably get yelled at. That's the price of these cheap eats and good food. read more
Teochew food is very rare in NY and I had this place bookmarked for a while. It's been around a long time but it was my first time there. Typical Chinatown dingy hole in the wall. It was a bit busy when I arrived but I was seated right away. I ordered the Cambodian noodles. I was expecting a flavor bomb dish but it fell flat for me. May return to try other things in the future. read more
Cash only spot with amazing noodles! 4 of us went in around 12:30 on a Sunday and were able to grab a table immediately. I ordered the fish dumplings with egg noodles. Everything was amazing, especially the broth. The portions are also so filling and the price is unbelievably reasonable. They were a little slow when it came to taking our order but the food came out quickly. The inside is nothing fancy but you don't come here for the atmosphere, you come for the food. One of the best noodle places I've been to in Chinatown! read more
Page 1 of 27
More info about Bo Ky
80 Bayard St
New York, NY 10013
Chinatown
Directions
(212) 406-2292
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.bo-ky-nyc.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
Bo Ky Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Bo Ky
How much for one of those homestyle ducks?
What are the hours nowadays? I stopped by on a Tuesday and it's closed.
Closed on Tuesdays as per cashier
Are you guys open for outdoor dining or pickup?
As of today, they are open for indoor dining. They do not have outdoor dining. I do not know about their pick-up offerings
Is there an update whether they're open or not? And is this place going to shut down permanently? Because this is the only chiu chow restaurant in nyc can't live without it.
Hey, We will love to open but restrictions in place are not good for business. Outdoor dining is not…
Is there a set opening date?
I am hopeful. As of Oct. 4, I saw lights turned on. There was a plexiglass with a sticker at the cashier's desk too.
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
36 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
3 months ago
10 years ago
12 years ago
2 years ago
16 years ago
3 years ago
13 years ago
2 years ago
9 years ago
11 years ago
4 years ago
15 years ago
12 years ago
1 year ago
8 years ago
7 years ago
18 years ago
6 years ago
