Veep wannabee Paul Ryan pulled a fast one at an empty soup kitchen, pretending to pitch in and wash dishes that were already clean.

Ryan and his wife showed up at the kitchen in Youngstown, Ohio, AFTER all of the food had been served and the patrons had left ... and the dishes, pots and pans were already washed.

A honcho at the kitchen said Ryan was there 15 minutes and it was just a shameless photo op, adding, "He did nothing.  He just came in here to get his picture taken at the dining hall."

We tried getting a comment from Ryan's camp, to no avail.