Best Food To Eat In Chinatown NYC

Experience the Best of Chinatown’s Culinary Delights

Chinatown NYC is renowned for its bustling streets, vibrant culture, and, of course, its mouth-watering cuisine. If you’re looking to enjoy some of the best food in New York City, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Chinatown. With such a vast array of dishes on offer, it can be tough to know where to start. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best food to eat in Chinatown NYC that you won’t want to miss out on.

🍲 Dumplings

If there’s one dish that Chinatown is famous for, it’s dumplings. These small pockets of goodness are stuffed with a variety of fillings, from pork and vegetables to seafood and even soup. Whether you prefer them steamed or fried, you’ll find plenty of dumpling shops in the area. One of the best is Joe’s Shanghai, which has been serving up delicious dumplings since 1995. Make sure to try their signature soup dumplings, which are filled with a savory broth that bursts in your mouth with each bite.

🍲 How do I eat soup dumplings?

While it may seem daunting at first, eating soup dumplings is relatively easy. To avoid burning your mouth, gently pick up the dumpling with chopsticks and place it on a spoon. Carefully bite off the top of the dumpling and slurp up the soup inside before eating the rest.

🥡 Roast Duck

Another must-try dish in Chinatown NYC is roast duck. This crispy and succulent meat is often served with a side of steamed rice and vegetables. For some of the best roast duck in the area, head over to Peking Duck House. This restaurant has been serving up delicious duck dishes for over 30 years and is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

🥡 What makes Peking Duck House’s roast duck special?

Peking Duck House’s roast duck is cooked using a traditional Chinese method that involves marinating the bird for several hours before roasting it in a special oven. The result is tender and juicy meat with a crispy skin that’s packed with flavor.

🍜 Noodles

Whether you prefer them in soup or stir-fried, noodles are a staple of Chinese cuisine. For some of the best noodles in Chinatown NYC, head over to Xian Famous Foods. This small eatery serves up a variety of hand-pulled noodle dishes that are bursting with flavor and spice. Make sure to try their Spicy Lamb Noodle Soup, which is both hearty and satisfying.

🍜 What are hand-pulled noodles?

Hand-pulled noodles are made by stretching and pulling a piece of dough until it becomes a long and thin strand. This process gives the noodles a unique texture that’s both chewy and tender.

🥢 Dim Sum

If you’re looking for a true taste of traditional Chinese cuisine, you can’t go wrong with dim sum. These small plates are typically served in bamboo steamers and can include everything from dumplings and buns to rice rolls and cakes. For some of the best dim sum in Chinatown NYC, check out Jing Fong. This massive restaurant has been serving up delicious dim sum for over 40 years and is a popular spot for both locals and tourists.

🥢 Can I order dim sum by myself?

While dim sum is typically served family-style, you can certainly order it for one person. Simply let your server know how many dishes you’d like, and they’ll bring them out to you one by one.

🍲 Hot Pot

If you’re looking for a unique and interactive dining experience, hot pot is a must-try. This Chinese dish involves cooking a variety of meats, vegetables, and noodles in a pot of boiling broth right at your table. For some of the best hot pot in Chinatown NYC, head over to Hometown Hotpot & BBQ. This restaurant offers a variety of broths and ingredients to choose from, giving you the freedom to create your own perfect hot pot.

🍲 What’s the difference between hot pot and shabu-shabu?

While both dishes involve cooking meats and vegetables in a pot of boiling broth, hot pot is typically more flavorful and includes a wider variety of ingredients. Shabu-shabu, on the other hand, is a Japanese dish that involves thinly sliced meats and vegetables dipped in a hot pot of water or broth before being eaten with a dipping sauce.

🥡 Bao

Bao, also known as steamed buns, are a popular Chinese snack that’s perfect for when you’re on the go. These small, pillowy buns are filled with a variety of savory or sweet fillings, such as pork belly, beef, or red bean paste. For some of the best bao in Chinatown NYC, head over to Mei Li Wah Bakery. This small bakery has been serving up delicious buns for over 50 years and is a favorite among locals.

🥡 What’s the difference between bao and mantou?

While both bao and mantou are steamed buns, bao is typically filled with a savory or sweet filling, while mantou is plain and often used as a side dish or to soak up sauce.

🍜 Congee

Congee is a simple and comforting Chinese porridge that’s perfect for a cold day or when you’re feeling under the weather. This dish is typically made with rice, water, and a variety of savory ingredients, such as pork or preserved egg. For some of the best congee in Chinatown NYC, check out Big Wong King. This small restaurant has been serving up delicious congee dishes for over 30 years and is a favorite among locals.

🍜 Can I customize my congee?

Absolutely! Congee is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. Simply choose your base ingredients, such as rice or meat, and add your favorite toppings, such as scallions or peanuts.

🥢 Scallion Pancakes

Scallion pancakes are a crispy and savory Chinese flatbread that’s perfect as an appetizer or as a side dish. These pancakes are typically made with flour, water, and scallions, and are pan-fried until golden brown. For some of the best scallion pancakes in Chinatown NYC, head over to Vanessa’s Dumpling House. This small eatery has been serving up delicious pancakes for over 20 years and is a favorite among locals.

🥢 Can I make scallion pancakes at home?

Absolutely! Scallion pancakes are relatively easy to make at home and require just a few ingredients. Simply mix together flour, water, and scallions to form a dough, roll it out into a thin pancake, and pan-fry until golden brown.

🍲 Wonton Soup

Wonton soup is a classic Chinese dish that’s perfect for a light and comforting meal. This soup is typically made with a clear broth, wonton dumplings, and bok choy. For some of the best wonton soup in Chinatown NYC, check out Great New York Noodletown. This small restaurant has been serving up delicious soup dishes for over 30 years and is a popular spot for late-night eats.

🍲 What’s the difference between wonton soup and egg drop soup?

While both soups are made with a clear broth, wonton soup includes wonton dumplings and bok choy, while egg drop soup includes beaten eggs that are poured into the broth to create a ribbony texture.

🥡 Chinese BBQ

Chinese BBQ is a mouth-watering meat dish that’s perfect for sharing with friends or family. This dish typically includes a variety of meats, such as roast pork, duck, or chicken, that are marinated in a flavorful sauce before being roasted or grilled to perfection. For some of the best Chinese BBQ in Chinatown NYC, check out Big Wong BBQ & Grill. This small restaurant has been serving up delicious BBQ dishes for over 20 years and is a favorite among locals.

🥡 What’s the difference between Chinese BBQ and American BBQ?

While both dishes involve cooking meat over a flame, Chinese BBQ is typically marinated in a flavorful sauce before being cooked, while American BBQ is often dry-rubbed or smoked to add flavor.

🍜 Sesame Noodles

Sesame noodles are a simple and satisfying Chinese dish that’s perfect for when you’re craving something comforting. This dish is typically made with cooked noodles that are tossed in a sesame sauce, then topped with scallions and sesame seeds. For some of the best sesame noodles in Chinatown NYC, check out Han Dynasty. This small restaurant has been serving up delicious noodles for over 10 years and is a favorite among locals.