TLDR
Modern Taiwanese destination in Greenpoint serving adventurous, creative small plates and rich noodle soups in a trendy space.
Instagram Posts References
Wenwen is a Taiwanese restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, owned by Eric, whom the reviewer admires for his dedication to promoting Taiwanese food culture in New York City through both Wenwen and 886. The reviewer feels a personal connection to the restaurant as its name is the same as her mother's. She notes that while the flavors might not be "most authentic," the "playful spirit" of the dishes embodies Taiwanese culinary innovation. The restaurant offers both brunch and dinner menus, and although some might prefer the dinner offerings, the reviewer also found the unique bathroom decor noteworthy.
Morgan Carter reviews Wenwen, Eric Sze's more mature Taiwanese restaurant in Greenpoint, noting its blend of polished ambiance and playful dishes like the BDSM Chicken.
Details
Located in Greenpoint, this lively destination offers a modern and trendy take on authentic Taiwanese cuisine [1], [2]. Guests praise the adventurous menu, which ranges from rich oxtail beef noodle soup to creative desserts [1], [2]. While highly regarded for its unique atmosphere and attentive service, some diners find certain high-ticket items, like the rotisserie chicken, to be overpriced [1], [3].
Food Overview
The kitchen excels at Taiwanese-inspired dishes such as the crispy BDSM Chicken and the flavorful Beef Fat Chili Oil Noodle [1]. Customer favorites include the beef noodle soup and the unique fried tangyuan with ice cream [1], [2], [5]. While the bacon and clams dish is noted for its quality, some guests have wished for better balance, and the rotisserie chicken remains a subject of debate regarding its price [1], [5].
Highlights / Recommended
"Highly recommended items include the BDSM Chicken, Beef Fat Chili Oil Noodles, and the rich beef noodle soup [1]. The fried tangyuan with ice cream is also frequently highlighted as a standout dessert [1], [5]."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •bdsm chicken(4)
- •half rotisserie chicken(4)
- •dog(3)
- •hot dog(2)
Customer Sentiment
Overall feedback is generally positive, with diners frequently commending the restaurant for its inventive menu and excellent service during special occasions [3], [4]. However, some patrons have expressed polarization regarding the value of specific promotions, labeling them as overhyped [5].
Caveats
Some diners have described the restaurant as overhyped or expensive, particularly concerning the pricing of the rotisserie chicken [5].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About WENWEN
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Brooklyn Eats For Lovers Next Weekend Help Us
"Included in a list of food recommendations."
NeutralFrom post: Heading To Nyc And Dont Want To Leave With Regrets
"This commenter recommends Wenwen for modern and trendy Taiwanese cuisine."
PositiveFrom post: Black Sesame Anything
"Wenwen offers fried tangyuan with ice cream."
PositiveFrom post: 10 Beer And A Dog
"This commenter found Wenwen to be overhyped and mediocre, recalling a previous experience with their Baijiu-infused drinks and a rotisserie chicken promotion. They prefer Rudy's for hot dogs."
NegativeFrom post: 10 Beer And A Dog
"This commenter dismissed the idea of paying $40 for a rotisserie chicken, referencing another restaurant 'Chi Osse'."
NegativeFrom post: 10 Beer And A Dog
"The commenter expressed disbelief at the $40 price for half a rotisserie chicken."
NegativeFrom post: 10 Beer And A Dog
"This commenter speculated that the sauce for the 'dog' dish might be a ginger scallion sauce and that the topping resembles pickled red onion with crushed potato chip."
NeutralFrom post: 10 Beer And A Dog
"This comment humorously points out that the advertised deal is essentially a happy hour appetizer."
NeutralFrom post: 10 Beer And A Dog
"This commenter speculated about a French restaurant in Lower Manhattan charging around $40 for half a rotisserie chicken with sides, factoring in taxes and tips."
NeutralFrom post: 10 Beer And A Dog
"This commenter questioned whether the item was a hot dog or a sausage."
NeutralFrom post: 10 Beer And A Dog
"This commenter simply stated that the deal was overpriced."
NegativeFrom post: 10 Beer And A Dog
"The commenter thanked the original poster for the information."
PositiveFrom post: 10 Beer And A Dog
"This commenter found the deal appealing and plans to visit Wenwen in Greenpoint to try the rotisserie chicken."
PositiveFrom post: 10 Beer And A Dog
"This commenter was curious about the toppings for the 'dog' dish and later discovered through googling that it includes red yeast sausage, basil aioli, pickled shallots, and fried garlic."
PositiveFrom post: 10 Beer And A Dog
"The commenter mentioned having a positive experience with a similar dish at Taihu in Taipei and expressed excitement that Wenwen might be importing it."
PositiveFrom post: 10 Beer And A Dog
"The commenter expressed disbelief that an item costing $5 would be sold for $40."
NegativeFrom post: 10 Beer And A Dog
"A commenter questioned the $40 price for half a rotisserie chicken and noted that the deal is only available on weekdays between 5-7 PM."
NeutralFrom post: 10 Beer And A Dog
"The original poster highlighted a great deal at Wenwen in Greenpoint, featuring a $10 beer and hot dog. They also noted the restaurant's $40 half rotisserie chicken as a good value, especially considering the current economy."
PositiveFrom post: Which Nonfast Food Chicken Sandwiches And Tender
"This user recommended Wen Wen in Greenpoint for a chicken sandwich available on their weekend brunch menu, describing it as delicious."
PositiveFrom post: Visiting Nyc Looking For Hyper Specific Recs
"This user recommended Wen Wen in Greenpoint for Taiwanese food."
Positive