Wenwen in Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Selfie inside the 80’s styled themed karaoke bar bathroom at Wenwen 🫶🏼
If you’ve heard about Wenwen, a Taiwanese restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and have wondered why it has gotten so much buzz lately, let me share the reasons!
With Taiwanese cuisine gaining popularity in New York City, the opportunity to experience authentic Taiwanese flavors is too enticing to pass up.
When my partner, Gabe, mentioned Wenwen, I was eager to see if the food would live up to its reputation. To my surprise, I discovered that Wenwen is run by the same incredible team behind 886 in the East Village, a place I fondly remember visiting when I first moved to New York!
As an American-born Taiwanese who lives 18 hours away (flight time) from Taiwan, I often crave the authentic flavors of Taiwanese cuisine. However, many restaurants tend to Americanize these flavors, which makes me cautious. To my surprise, Wenwen exceeded my expectations!
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heading inside
When you enter Wenwen, you’ll experience the warmth of traditional Taiwanese decor seamlessly blending with Brooklyn’s industrial vibe. The atmosphere is modern and inviting, featuring a spacious layout perfect for any occasion.
Whether you choose to unwind after work with a drink at the bar or gather around a table with friends for a delicious meal, there's literally a spot at Wenwen for everyone. The vintage Taiwanese decor throughout the restaurant is charming.
Don’t forget to check out their bathrooms! They are uniquely themed, and my favorite features a nostalgic 80s Taiwanese KTV style, complete with a spinning disco ball on the ceiling and dim, colorful lights that elevate the bathroom experience. They even provide mouthwash for a fresh feel after your meal, which I thought was a thoughtful touch.
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food highlights
Pickled Cucumber Salad
The cucumber salad was so good! Always the perfect appetizer for any Asian meal.
It had a tangy, refreshing flavor that exploded in your mouth.
The thickly sliced cucumbers released a burst of sourness with subtle hints of saltiness.
Seaweed Fries
Fries = life. If you know, you know.
This was SO GOOD and packed with a ton of garlic goodness.
Fresh chopped garlic was generously sprinkled over the fries, creating the perfect flavor and a hint of spice.
Water Spinach with Shrimp Paste
When you eat Taiwanese cuisine, you have to try their stir-fried veggies.
This dish elevates traditional vegetable stir-fry with its unique flavor. The spicy kick and amazing flavors in every bite are just incredible!
The combination of heat and the delicious shrimp taste is simply mouthwatering.
Just writing about it makes my mouth water! 🤤
Lily Flemming Fried Rice
This dish is absolutely delicious! It reminds me of the small street vendors in Taiwan that serve flavorful fried rice.
The portion was HUGE and can easily be shared between two people.
LobaBeng
When visiting Taiwan, one traditional dish you must try is Lobabeng, also known as LuRouFan.
This slow-cooked pork dish served over steaming rice is an iconic Taiwanese specialty.
Gabe loved it so much that he nearly finished the entire bowl.
Trust me, this is a must-try dish for anyone exploring Taiwanese cuisine.
To start things off, we ordered some drinks—the Birds Eye Daiquiri and the Taiwanese Old Fashioned. I must say, the Birds Eye Daiquiri is a sweet and spicy treat that kind of surprises you. It's doesn’t taste spicy when you sip, but the spice sneaks up on you as it goes down your throat. It's a unique and a very different flavor combination that adds a twist to the usual sweetness of cocktails. 🍸
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drink highlights
Birds Eye Daiquiri
I’m usually not a fan of spicy drinks, but this one really surprised me.
At first, it doesn't taste spicy when you sip it, but the heat sneaks up on you as it goes down.
The unique flavor combination adds a twist to the usual sweetness of cocktails.
You can even see small pepper speckles floating on the top of the drink. 🍸
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VISIT
HOURS
Monday
CLOSED
Tuesday - Friday
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
LOCATION
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check out my Taiwan vlog!
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DISCOVER MORE
Last Updated: 10.24.2024
Imagine perfectly cooked scallops and melt-in-your-mouth seafood, accompanied by recommended wine pairing in a cozy, vintage-Christmas-adorned space.