New York City is a global culinary mecca, boasting an astonishing array of cuisines from every corner of the world. While exceptional Chinese food can be found throughout the five boroughs, there’s a unique allure to experiencing it within the vibrant heart of Manhattan’s Chinatown. Stepping into this historic neighborhood is akin to traversing continents, immersing yourself in an authentic cultural experience that extends far beyond the plate. Beyond its rich cultural tapestry, Chinatown is also a treasure trove of culinary affordability, offering some of the best-value dining experiences in the city. This makes exploring its diverse culinary landscape an adventure accessible to all.
To truly savor the essence of Chinatown’s culinary offerings, understanding the nuances of regional Chinese cuisine is paramount. China’s vast geographical expanse has given rise to a diverse array of culinary traditions, each characterized by unique flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques. Within Chinatown, you’ll discover restaurants specializing in various regional styles, alongside other noteworthy East Asian cuisines. While ubiquitous dishes like lo mein and soup dumplings are widely available, recognizing the culinary strengths of each establishment will elevate your dining experience. For instance, Cantonese restaurants excel in crafting flavorful lo mein, while Shanghainese establishments are renowned for their exquisite soup dumplings. This guide unveils some of the best dining establishments in Manhattan’s Chinatown, ensuring an unforgettable culinary journey. Let’s embark on a tour of the 15 Best Restaurants in Chinatown.
1. 456 New Shanghai
Nestled at 69 Mott St A, 456 New Shanghai stands as a beacon for those seeking authentic Shanghainese cuisine, particularly the ever-popular soup dumplings. This establishment has earned its reputation as a premier destination for this delectable staple. The restaurant’s interior, while unassuming, buzzes with a palpable energy, the clatter of chopsticks and the murmur of satisfied diners creating a lively atmosphere.
The menu at 456 New Shanghai is an extensive exploration of Shanghainese culinary traditions. Beyond the obligatory and highly recommended pork or crabmeat soup dumplings, the menu boasts an array of standout dishes that showcase the region’s distinctive flavors. The eggplant in garlic sauce offers a savory and aromatic experience, while the sauteed eels with chives presents a more adventurous yet equally rewarding option. For those with a sweet tooth, the pork shoulder in sweet honey sauce is a must-try, its tender texture and balanced sweetness making it a truly memorable dish.
Navigating the expansive menu can be daunting for those unfamiliar with Shanghainese cuisine. To aid in your selection, the restaurant highlights dishes recommended by the New York Times with small heart icons, providing a helpful guide to some of the most highly regarded items.
2. Deluxe Green Bo
Located at 66 Bayard St, Deluxe Green Bo is another gem specializing in the culinary artistry of Shanghai. This intimate restaurant provides a cozy and authentic setting to indulge in the region’s signature dishes. The ambiance is simple and unpretentious, focusing on the quality of the food and the warmth of the service.
Deluxe Green Bo’s menu features a selection of classic Shanghainese dishes, with a focus on rich, savory flavors. The Lions Head stewed meatballs are a must-try, showcasing the restaurant’s mastery of braising techniques. The yellow fish with dried seaweed offers a delicate and flavorful seafood option, while the various rice cake dishes provide a comforting and satisfying meal. Of course, no visit to Deluxe Green Bo is complete without sampling their soup dumplings, which rival those of other renowned establishments.
Due to its limited size, Deluxe Green Bo is best suited for smaller groups of one or two people. It’s also important to note that the restaurant operates on a cash-only basis, so be sure to visit an ATM before arriving.
3. Hop Kee
A testament to culinary longevity and unwavering quality, Hop Kee, situated at 21 Mott St, has been a Chinatown institution since 1968. In a city where restaurants often come and go, Hop Kee’s enduring presence speaks volumes about its dedication to serving traditional Cantonese cuisine. The restaurant’s interior is steeped in history, its worn surfaces and faded decor adding to its authentic charm.
Hop Kee is renowned for its deliciously affordable offerings, making it a popular choice for both locals and tourists. One of the restaurant’s most popular and intriguing dishes is snails, a testament to its willingness to offer unique and adventurous culinary experiences. Beyond the snails, Hop Kee’s menu is a comprehensive exploration of Cantonese cuisine, featuring everything from pan-fried flounder and Cantonese-style crab to chow fun and roast duck wonton soup. The servings are generous, the prices are reasonable, and the flavors are consistently satisfying, ensuring that customers leave with a desire to return.
4. Great N.Y. Noodletown
Living up to its name, Great N.Y. Noodletown, located at 28 Bowery, is a haven for noodle enthusiasts. This bustling restaurant specializes in Cantonese cuisine, with a particular emphasis on its diverse range of noodle dishes. The atmosphere is lively and energetic, with the constant hum of conversation and the rhythmic chopping of woks creating a vibrant backdrop.
At Great N.Y. Noodletown, you can find noodles prepared in virtually every imaginable way. Whether you prefer them with meat, vegetables, or in a flavorful soup, the restaurant has something to satisfy every craving. One of the standout dishes is the Cantonese-style roast duck, which offers a unique and flavorful alternative to the more widely known Peking duck from Northern China. The Cantonese version is stuffed with aromatic spices like star anise, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon during roasting, then drizzled with hot oil just before serving to create a crispy and succulent skin.
5. Ping’s
Upon entering Ping’s, located at 22 Mott St, the tanks brimming with live crab and fish immediately signal the restaurant’s focus on fresh seafood. This Cantonese establishment is renowned for its high-quality seafood dishes, prepared with skill and attention to detail. The interior is spacious and well-lit, creating a pleasant and inviting atmosphere.
In addition to its freshly caught seafood, Ping’s is also known for serving delicious dim sum all day long. The menu features a wide variety of dim sum classics, from steamed buns and dumplings to savory pastries and rolls. The restaurant’s credit-card-friendly policy and pleasant atmosphere often result in long lines, but the wait is well worth it for the quality of the food. Ping’s is also one of the few Chinatown restaurants that can accommodate large parties, offering a prix fixe menu for groups of 10 or more to simplify ordering.
6. Original Wo Hop
A Chinatown landmark since 1938, the original Wo Hop, also known as Wo Hop Downstairs or Wo Hop 17, stands as one of the neighborhood’s oldest restaurants. Situated at 17 Mott St, this Cantonese-inspired establishment offers a unique glimpse into the history of Chinese-American cuisine. The restaurant’s interior is modest and unassuming, its basement location adding to its old-school charm.
While Wo Hop’s cuisine may not be the most authentically Chinese, it celebrates the evolution of Chinese food in America. The menu features classic dishes like chop suey, lo mein, and broccoli beef, prepared with a generous helping of grease and a focus on satisfying American palates. Despite the lack of authentic Chinese flavors, the original Wo Hop remains a beloved institution, offering a nostalgic taste of Chinese-American culinary history.
7. Wo Hop Next Door
Located just a few steps away from its namesake at 15 Mott St, Wo Hop Next Door, also known as Wo Hop 15, is the original Wo Hop’s fierce rival. The two restaurants, both bearing the Wo Hop name, have cultivated loyal followings over the years, each with its own passionate supporters.
The debate over which Wo Hop is better comes down to personal preference. While both establishments offer similar Cantonese-inspired cuisine, subtle differences in their preparation and flavor profiles have led to a long-standing rivalry. Ultimately, both Wo Hop locations offer excellent options for those seeking a taste of classic Chinese-American fare.
8. Da Long Yi Hot Pot
Representing the growing popularity of Sichuan cuisine in Chinatown, Da Long Yi Hot Pot, located at 159 Canal St, offers a unique and interactive dining experience. Originating in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, this restaurant specializes in hot pot, a family-style meal that involves cooking raw ingredients in a simmering pot of broth at the table.
The hot pot experience at Da Long Yi is communal, fun, and above all delicious. Diners select from a variety of raw meats, vegetables, and other ingredients, then dip them into the boiling broth to cook them to their liking. The experience is highly customizable, allowing diners to create their own unique flavor combinations. However, it’s important to note that Sichuan cuisine is known for its signature tingly heat, so those sensitive to spice should proceed with caution.
9. Hou Yi Hot Pot
Offering a Taiwanese-style take on hot pot, Hou Yi Hot Pot, situated at 92 Hester St, provides a slightly different culinary experience than its Sichuan counterparts. While the flavors are similar, the Taiwanese version tends to be less spicy and more subtly nuanced.
At Hou Yi Hot Pot, diners can choose to order an individual-sized pot of broth, allowing for a more personalized dining experience. The restaurant also offers an all-you-can-eat option, allowing diners to refill their pots and sample a wide variety of meats, vegetables, and other dipping items. The unlimited house-made sauces add another layer of customization to the experience. Perhaps the best part of the meal is the ice cream bar that awaits after finishing the hot pot, providing a refreshing and cooling counterpoint to the savory and spicy flavors.
10. Xi’an Famous Foods
Credited with introducing Northwestern Chinese cuisine to New York City, Xi’an Famous Foods, located at 45 Bayard St, is a culinary legend. This restaurant specializes in the unique flavors of Xi’an, the capital city of Shaanxi province, offering a refreshing departure from the typical dishes found in Chinatown.
The menu at Xi’an Famous Foods features a variety of hot and cold dishes, with a particular emphasis on cold noodles, a Xi’an specialty. While Cantonese restaurants typically feature pork or beef, Xi’an Famous Foods highlights lamb as the star of its menu. The restaurant is known for its long lines, but the wait is well worth it for the opportunity to experience these unique and flavorful dishes.
11. Peking Duck House
For those seeking an authentic Peking duck experience, Peking Duck House, located at 28 Mott St, is a must-visit destination. This restaurant specializes in this iconic dish, preparing it with meticulous attention to detail and serving it in the traditional manner.
The signature Peking duck at Peking Duck House is pricier than other Chinatown options, but the time and effort that go into each duck justify the cost. The duck is served in the traditional way, with the server carving the crispy skin at the table and dipping it in sweet bean sauce. The duck meat is then wrapped in savory pancakes with your choice of sauces and vegetables, creating a truly memorable and interactive dining experience.
12. Nom Wah Tea Parlor
As the oldest restaurant in Chinatown, Nom Wah Tea Parlor, situated at 13 Doyers St, offers a unique glimpse into the neighborhood’s rich culinary history. This restaurant has been serving Chinese pastries, steamed buns, tea, and dim sum since 1920, and much of its original charm remains intact.
The vintage design of Nom Wah Tea Parlor transports diners back in time, while the classic menu offers some of the best dim sum plates in the neighborhood at affordable prices. Diners can enjoy their tea while carts pass around with small plates like siu mai wonton dumplings, scallion pancakes, or roasted pork buns. The restaurant is particularly busy during weekend brunch, so arriving early is recommended.
13. Joe’s Shanghai
Renowned for its exceptional soup dumplings, Joe’s Shanghai, located at 46 Bowery, is a must-visit destination for those seeking this Shanghainese delicacy. The restaurant’s dumplings are freshly made to order and bursting with flavorful broth, making them a standout among the many soup dumpling options in Chinatown.
Joe’s Shanghai offers both pork and crab with pork soup dumplings, each equally delicious and satisfying. After indulging in these broth-filled delicacies, diners can explore the restaurant’s full menu of dishes from Shanghai and other parts of China, with chef’s recommendations like soft-shell crab, short ribs with mushroom sauce, and Shanghai egg noodles.
14. Kopitiam
Expanding Chinatown’s culinary horizons beyond China’s borders, Kopitiam, located at 151 E Broadway, is a Malaysian gem that offers a unique and flavorful dining experience. The menu is a blend of flavors that reflect Malaysia’s diverse history, drawing inspiration from Malay, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British cuisine.
Kopitiam operates as a casual eatery, where diners order at the counter and take their food to a table, emulating the traditional Malay coffee shop experience. The menu features a variety of sweet and savory snacks, as well as full entrees. However, the restaurant’s exotic drink menu of teas and coffees is a particular highlight, offering a refreshing and flavorful complement to the food.
15. Bahn Mi Saigon Bakery
In a city where restaurants often rely on frills and gimmicks to attract customers, Bahn Mi Saigon Bakery, located at 198 Grand St, stands as a testament to the power of simple, high-quality food. This Vietnamese hole-in-the-wall has been open since 1989, serving its signature banh mi sandwiches with unwavering consistency.
Diners at Bahn Mi Saigon Bakery can choose their protein from options like grilled pork, barbeque chicken, pate, or shrimp, which is then stuffed into a fresh baguette with traditional toppings like pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro, daikon, and mayonnaise. While banh mi is the house specialty, diners can also choose to have their protein served over a bowl of rice vermicelli noodles. This list of the 15 Best Restaurants in Chinatown will surely give you options for your next adventure.
Exploring the 15 Best Restaurants in Chinatown offers a vibrant and diverse culinary adventure. From classic Cantonese fare to innovative Sichuan hot pot and everything in between, Chinatown’s restaurants offer a taste of China and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or a curious newcomer, Chinatown’s culinary scene is sure to delight and inspire. Remember that Chinatown is a sensory experience, so be open to trying new things and embracing the vibrant energy of this unique neighborhood. Enjoy exploring the 15 Best Restaurants in Chinatown!
