New China Wok in Columbia: Cantonese Cooking and Dim Sum in the Heart of the City

What New China Wok serves and where to find it

New China Wok is a Cantonese restaurant in Columbia that specializes in dim sum, roasted meats, and traditional Hong Kong–style dishes. The restaurant sits on Devine Street in the Five Points neighborhood, a walkable area known for its mix of independent shops, galleries, and dining spots. The space itself is casual and straightforward—the kind of place where the food matters more than the decor, and where you'll see regulars ordering by name.

The menu centers on what Cantonese kitchens do best: small plates meant for sharing, whole roasted duck and pork, noodle soups, and rice dishes. Dim sum service runs during lunch hours, when carts roll through the dining room and servers stop at your table so you can point to what you want. This is the traditional way dim sum was served in Hong Kong teahouses, and it remains the most social way to eat it—you order as you go, taste a variety of things, and the bill adds up based on what you actually chose.

Key Takeaways

• New China Wok serves Cantonese dim sum and roasted meats in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood on Devine Street.
• Dim sum service happens during lunch hours with carts that come to your table, so you can see and point to what you want.
• The restaurant is casual and built for sharing—most people order multiple small plates rather than one large entree.
• Roasted duck, pork, and noodle soups are house specialties alongside the dim sum selection.

Dim sum service and how it works

If you have never eaten dim sum, the experience is different from ordering off a menu. Servers push carts laden with bamboo steamers and small plates through the dining room. When a cart stops at your table, you look at what is inside, point to what appeals to you, and the server marks it on a card. You keep ordering from successive carts as they pass—har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork dumplings), char siu bao (barbecue pork buns), chicken feet, taro croquettes, egg custard tarts. The meal becomes a progression rather than a single order.

This style works best with a group, because you taste more things and the cost spreads across people. A single person can still eat dim sum—just order fewer items—but the real point of dim sum is the variety and the shared table. Dim sum at New China Wok typically runs during lunch service, so plan to go midday rather than in the evening.

Roasted meats and house specialties

Beyond dim sum, New China Wok roasts its own duck and pork in-house. Roasted duck comes halved or quartered, the skin crackling and the meat tender underneath. It is often served with a simple dipping sauce and steamed rice or noodles on the side. Roasted pork (char siu) appears both as a standalone dish and inside buns and noodle soups, so you will encounter it across the menu.

Noodle soups are another anchor of the menu—wonton noodle soup, beef noodle soup, and variations with roasted meats. These are the kind of dishes that warm you through on a cool day and taste like they have been perfected over years of repetition. Rice dishes, stir-fried vegetables, and seafood preparations round out the offerings, though the restaurant's reputation rests on the dim sum and the roasted meats.

Five Points neighborhood context

New China Wok sits within Five Points, one of Columbia's oldest and most eclectic neighborhoods. The area has a long history as a gathering place for students, artists, and people looking for independent restaurants and shops. Devine Street, where the restaurant is located, runs through the heart of Five Points and is lined with galleries, vintage stores, coffee shops, and other dining spots.

The neighborhood is walkable, and parking is available on the street and in nearby lots. If you are exploring Five Points for the first time, New China Wok is a good anchor point—you can eat there and then walk to other spots in the area. The casual nature of the restaurant fits the neighborhood's overall character.

What to expect when you arrive

New China Wok does not take reservations, so you walk in and wait if there is a line. During peak dim sum hours (typically late morning through early afternoon), the restaurant fills up quickly. Going early in the lunch window or on a weekday rather than a weekend can mean a shorter wait. The dining room is not large, so turnover matters—the restaurant moves people through efficiently.

Once seated, you will receive a card and a pencil if you are ordering dim sum. As carts come by, mark what you want. If you are ordering from the regular menu instead, a server will bring you a menu and take your order in the usual way. Prices are moderate, and the restaurant accepts cash and cards. The atmosphere is unpretentious and focused on food rather than ambiance.

When to go and what season brings

New China Wok is open year-round and does not have a seasonal menu in the way some restaurants do. However, dim sum service is most consistent during lunch hours, so timing your visit around that window matters more than the time of year. Spring and fall in Columbia bring pleasant weather for walking to and from Five Points, so those seasons can make the neighborhood experience more enjoyable overall.

The restaurant is busier during lunch than dinner, and busier on weekends than weekdays. If you want a more relaxed experience, a weekday lunch is your best bet. If you are willing to wait and want the full dim sum cart experience, any time during the lunch service window will give you that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know what dim sum items are called to order them?

No. You point to what you want on the cart, and the server marks it on your card. If you are curious about what something is, you can ask, but the visual selection is the whole point of dim sum service. Many people order by appearance rather than by name.

Can I order from a menu instead of eating dim sum?

Yes. New China Wok serves dim sum during lunch hours, but you can also order roasted meats, noodle soups, rice dishes, and other items from a regular menu. If you arrive outside dim sum service hours or prefer to order a specific dish, that option is available.

Is New China Wok good for a large group?

Yes, especially for dim sum. A group of four to eight people can order many different items and share them, which is how dim sum is meant to be eaten. The restaurant accommodates groups, though you may wait for a table during busy lunch hours if your party is large.

What is the parking situation in Five Points?

Street parking is available along Devine Street and nearby streets, and there are small parking lots in the neighborhood. It is not always easy to find a spot during peak hours, but parking is free and usually available within a short walk of the restaurant.

Does New China Wok take reservations?

No. The restaurant operates on a first-come, first-served basis. During busy lunch hours, expect to wait. Going early in the lunch window or on a weekday can reduce your wait time.