Brian Nagele
Chinatown is one of New York City’s most iconic neighborhoods and somewhere that you absolutely must visit if you’re in the Big Apple. Although Chinatown is now a huge tourist attraction full of incredible food, shops, and museums, it was initially created out of necessity. Chinese immigrants were forced into a specific region.
Prior to modern times, Chinatown was a dangerous place, full of gang activity and tons of illegal trading. It wasn’t really cleaned up until the early part of the last century when people began flocking there for the food and culture.
Today, there is plenty to see and do in Chinatown. You can take a food tour with a Chinese chef, you can visit some of the most unique and interesting museums on the planet, or you can even sip tea and sample pastries with cuddly cats at Meow Parlour.
Of course, one of the main reasons why people visit Chinatown is the fantastic places to eat. You can find totally authentic, delicious, and fresh food in this part of New York City. Although you really can’t go wrong with virtually any restaurant in Chinatown, these are 23 incredible places that you should absolutely visit on your next trip there.
Shanghai 21
21 Mott St, New York, NY 10013, United States
Phone: 212-766-6311
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Shanghai 21 is right in the heart of Chinatown, on Mott Street, and is known for its utterly authentic food. Their chefs scour the city for the freshest ingredients possible. Then, they use them to serve up your favorite Chinese-American dishes like Lo Mein with shrimp, chicken, or beef, dumplings, and chow mein.
You should definitely try their dumplings. They are tender, flavorful, and full of exciting and delicious combinations like watercress and prawn. Their Shanghai Lo Mein is excellent, too, packed with shrimp, pork, and savory vegetables. Everything is seasoned to perfection, and the portions are pretty generous as well.
Nom Wah Tea Parlor
13 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013, United States
Phone: 212-962-6047
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Nom Wah Tea Parlor is in the center of Chinatown on the district’s famous Doyers Street, and it’s the place to visit for dim sum and steam buns. Their buns are light and packed with flavor. They go well with a hot cup of jasmine tea. Nom Wah Tea Parlor is a good place to spend the day, and you can order food as you go. Their staff provides you with an order sheet that you mark as needed.
Some of Nom Wah Tea Parlor’s standout dishes include beef buns, chicken dumplings, vegetable spring rolls, and fried rice.
Deluxe Green Bo Restaurant
66 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013, United States
Phone: 212-625-2359
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Deluxe Green Bo Restaurant is close to Little Italy’s famous Mulberry Street, right on the edge of Chinatown. So if you’re looking for a great place to get soup dumplings, Deluxe Green Bo Restaurant is definitely it. It’s an intimate place where you feel like family from the second that you step inside.
The food is prepared to order, and the service is top-notch. You’ll be eating within minutes of sitting down. Try their pan-fried noodle chicken, broccoli chicken, and fried rice. The pork soup dumplings are excellent too. Deluxe Green Bo Restaurant prices are fairly low, so you can sample several things on the menu without breaking the bank!
Great NY Noodletown
28 Bowery, New York, NY 10013, United States
Phone: 212-349-0923
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If you’re in or around the Bowery District, you need to visit Great NY Noodletown. It’s close to many of New York’s best attractions and museums and is the perfect place to grab that ideal bite after a long day in the city. One of the first things that stands out about Great NY Noodletown is its menu. The menu is gigantic and packed with all of your favorites.
Try their beef curry with rice, shrimp, and lobster, roast pork, soup dumplings, and piping hot traditional soups. Great NY Noodletown is a trendy place with both locals and tourists alike, so be prepared to wait if you come on the weekends.
Hwa Yuan Szechuan
42 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002
Phone: 212-966-6002
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If you’re wondering where to eat in Chinatown, check out Hwa Yuan Szechuan. Hwa Yuan Szechuan is right on New York’s famous Broadway Street and is the brainchild of star chef Chen Lien Tang. His concept is simple; excellent Sichuan fine dining in the heart of Chinatown. Although cute, cheap noodle shops are great, Hwa Yuan Szechuan is the place to go if you really want to experience elevated Chinese food.
Some of the best items on the menu are their cold sesame noodles, crispy Peking duck, and soup dumplings. Chef Tang uses authentic recipes from his hometown and tries to educate visitors on the food culture from his region. If you want to experience excellent Chinese food made with care, check out Hwa Yuan Szechuan.
Peking Duck House
28 Mott St A, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-227-1810
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Peking Duck House on Chinatown’s Mott Street is one of the most popular restaurants in the district. It’s been serving hungry locals and visitors for years and, as the name suggests, specializes in Peking duck. The staff carves the duck tableside for you, so the presentation is just as on-point as the flavor.
Their Peking duck is fabulous, with crispy skin and juicy meat, and you can get it with fluffy Chinese pancakes. Since a lot of restaurants serve their Peking duck with bao buns, this is a welcome substitution and really takes the meal to the next level.
Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles
1 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013, United States
Phone: 212-791-1817
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Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles is one of the most well-respected restaurants in Chinatown, offering in-house dining and takeout. Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles takes classic Chinese dishes and gives them a modern spin. Their ingredients are always fresh, and their presentation is excellent.
Although Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles looks relatively humble from the outside, their noodles are extraordinary. They are light, delicious, and packed full of flavor. Their soup dumplings are also tasty. Try the steamed shrimp dumplings for a true treat. Their duck noodle soup is also top-notch and not to be missed.
Chinese Tuxedo
5 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 646-895-9301
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Chinese Tuxedo is another Doyers Street gem, with excellent food, great service, and a fun atmosphere. It’s an excellent place to take a date or have a festive family dinner. Their best dishes include roast duck, soft shell crab fried rice, shrimp toast, and dumplings. Their sides are excellent too, especially the eggplant and spicy noodles.
Make sure that you leave a little bit of room for dessert. Chinese Tuxedo’s ice-creams are out of this world. You can order off the menu or get a fixed-price menu featuring some of their best dishes. If you’re going with a big group, the fixed-price menu is definitely the way to go so that you can sample a bit of everything.
Noodle Village
13 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-233-0788
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Noodle Village is right in the center of Chinatown on Mott Street. You’d be hard-pressed to find better service anywhere in the city. Expect your food in a few minutes. The wait staff is also excellent and available to answer any questions that you might have about the menu.
Start your meal off with their signature mango punch, and then dive right into some of their authentic Chinese dishes with a twist. The pan-fried seafood ramen is excellent, as is the chicken fried rice. Try their fried dumplings or Chinese broccoli, and don’t miss out on the won ton soup.
Wo Hop Next Door
15 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-566-3841
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Another Mott Street favorite, Wo Hop Next Door, is a great place to unwind after a day of exploring the city. Their service is excellent, and the moment that you sit down, you’ll have ice water and hot tea brought to your table. If you’re feeling adventurous, start your meal off with snails in spicy brown sauce. It’s decadent and fresh, with the sauce hitting just the right notes of sweet and sour.
Their fried flounder is another true winner, and it’s served with a generous portion of scallion soy dressing. The fermented bean curd is excellent, as is the lo mein.
Super Taste
26 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: 646-283-0999
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Wander down Chinatown’s Eldridge Street, and you’re bound to come across Super Taste, a great little restaurant where you can get hand-pulled noodles, dumplings, and plenty of piping hot soups. Another great thing about this restaurant is that the price is definitely right. As a result, you can try plenty of items on the menu without putting too big of a dent in your bank account.
The fishball dumplings are fantastic. They don’t have an overpowering fishy taste and are light and savory. The spicy beef noodles are another “must try.” Super Taste is pretty small, so if you come at a busy time, you might have to wait for a little bit, but it’s well worth it.
Wo Hop
17 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-962-8617
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Stop by Wo Hop on Mott Street for the gigantic portions and great prices. This restaurant is an excellent place to go if you have a big group and want to sample many different dishes. You have to look to find Wo Hop. There’s not a lot of signage, but if you go to Mott Street and look for basement restaurants, you’ll locate it.
Try their shrimp and black bean sauce served with an ample portion of white rice. The black bean sauce has just the right amount of spice and is perfectly balanced. Their crispy noodles are great, the chow mein is authentic and tasty, and their wonton soup is some of the best in the city.
Spicy Village
68 Forsyth St B, New York, NY 10002
Phone: 212-625-8299
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Spicy Village is an excellent place to go if you’re craving real Chinese street food. Their menu is enormous and inspired by traditional cuisine with an American twist. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but some of their standout dishes include lamb and vegetable soup, spicy chicken, and soup dumplings. Try their handmade noodles for a special treat.
Spicy Village is an excellent place to get pho. Take one taste, and you’ll realize that the broth has been simmering away for hours. Spicy Village is a great place to go with a group because its portions are ideal for sharing.
Hou Yi Hot Pot
92 Hester St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: 212-966-3420
If you’re hungry, head over to Hou Yi Hot Pot. They offer all-you-can-eat specials that include food, drinks, and even desserts. Their service is excellent, and the hot pot is piping hot, fresh, and completely authentic. Their service is great too.
Try the hot pot, the pork and chive dumplings, rice cakes, and shrimp dumplings. Although you can order a number of different meats for your hot pot, the spicy beef and pork are superb. If you find yourself in New York City on a cold day and want a good place to warm up for dinner, Hou Yi Hot Pot is undoubtedly it.
Pings NYC
22 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-602-9988
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Pings NYC is another Mott Street find, famous for its delicious dim sum. Expect fresh, hot, perfectly prepared food at Pings NYC. Their prawn dim sum is absolutely delectable, the scallops are excellent, and the calamari is lightly prepared with perfectly balanced flavors.
Vegetarians will find something that they love on the menu at Pings NYC. Try their vegetable lo mein, and you won’t even miss the meat. The sea bass is good, the Peking duck is crispy on the outside and tender inside, and they have a wide selection of beverages on tap.
Hop Lee
16 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-962-6475
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Hop Lee on Mott Street features incredible Cantonese food served in massive portions. Try the lobster or the roast duck for a fabulous meal that can feed plenty of people. Their beef pan-fried noodles are excellent and large enough to share between two people. Additionally, the dim sum, chicken chow mein, and broccoli beef are standout menu items.
Hop Lee really goes above and beyond with their service. You’ll enjoy complimentary hot tea and a knowledgeable server who can explain all of the menu items to you. They can even make recommendations as needed.
Nha Trang One
87 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-233-5948
Nha Trang One on Baxter Street is a good place to drop in for lunch or dinner if you want solid Vietnamese food at moderate prices. The staff at Nha Trang One is like family, and many of them have been there for years. They know their menu inside and out and give you suggestions and recommendations as needed.
Try their spring rolls, pho, and shrimp dishes. Everything is exceptionally fresh and prepared to order. The won ton soup is delicious, and their BBQ beef rolls are highly addictive. If you want to sample authentic Vietnamese food, Nha Trang One is the spot to go.
Kopitiam
151 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002
Phone: 646-609-3785
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Kopitiam on Broadway is a popular Chinatown restaurant that does a bustling lunch service. If you arrive during their lunch or dinner rushes, you will probably have to wait to be seated. Trust me; the wait is totally worth it. Try their Pan Mee with anchovies and pork. Their curry puffs are crowd-pleasers, and the kaya toast is precisely the thing you need to take the edge off your appetite.
If you’re looking for something a little sweeter, try their honeycomb cake. The pandan chicken is good too, and it’s something that you don’t find on just about every menu.
Wah Fung Fast Food
79 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: 212-925-5175
Wah Fung Fast Food is a Chrystie Street staple, full of fast, fresh, Chinese food. You can find all sorts of different kinds of meat here, from expertly prepared duck and pork to standard chicken. One of the things that genuinely sets Wah Fung Fast Food apart is the sauces. Each sauce is an excellent blend of sweet and spicy that never overpowers the meat. The ginger scallion sauce is particularly delectable.
Wah Fung Fast Food tends to get really popular, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait outside, but it’s absolutely worth it. You’ll be amazed by the quality of the food here.
Joe’s Shanghai
46 Bowery, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-233-8888
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Joe’s Shanghai is about as authentic as you can get without visiting mainland China. It’s a cute place with a lot of ambiance and outstanding customer service. Their servers will happily explain any menu items to you and give you suggestions based on your tastes. Some of their key standout dishes include pork dumplings with bean sauce and mustard green soup.
Try their salted eggs, soup dumplings, and noodle dishes. Everything is made fresh to order and is exceptionally delicious. Joe’s Shanghai is a very popular place, so you might have to wait a little bit to get seated, but it’s completely worth it.
Golden Steamer
143A Mott St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-226-1886
Golden Steamer is right on Chinatown’s iconic Mott Street and has some of the best steamed buns in Chinatown. Their pumpkin, pork, chicken, and red bean paste buns are absolutely delicious. Since the buns are relatively small, you can sample several of them or share with your friends.
If you have a sweet tooth, check out their custard buns. They go well with hot tea or coffee. Since Golden Steamer is pretty inexpensive, it’s a good idea to go with a bit group of friends and order one or two of each from the menu.
Mei Li Wah
64 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-966-7866
If you’re looking for an authentic Chinese bakery, Mei Li Wah is an excellent spot to check out. This bakery serves simple, delicious food at great prices. Their steamed and baked pork buns are exceptional, as are their siu mai dumplings. It’s a good place to go if you want to grab a simple snack and are craving freshly baked food.
The prices are right at Mei Li Wah too. You can grab a few different types of buns to go or order off their menu. They serve good Chinese food favorites like lo mein and noodles if you’re in the mood for something heartier.
Taiwan Pork Chop House
3 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-791-7007
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The Taiwan Pork Chop House is a Doyers Street favorite with reasonably-priced menu items and a central location right on the outskirts of Chinatown. Look for the Post Office on Doyers Street. The Taiwan Pork Chop House is right across the street. Some of the best menu items include braised chicken soup, deep-fried chicken legs, and of course, pork chops.
Get your meat with noodles or rice, and make sure that you try some of their signature sauces. The brown sauce is delicious and goes well with all of their different types of meats and noodles.
Final Thoughts
Chinatown is one of the most exciting places to visit in New York City. This vibrant district is rich in history, has plenty of shops and museums to check out, and is easily one of the best places to get souvenirs for people back home. It’s also home to some of the most budget-friendly and delicious food in the Big Apple.
Whether you want traditional Vietnamese food, noodles, or authentic Chinese food, you’ll find it at one of these Chinatown restaurants. Not looking to eat in Chinatown? Check out some awesome restaurants nearby in SoHo!
Best Restaurants in Chinatown NYC
- Shanghai 21
- Nom Wah Tea Parlor
- Deluxe Green Bo Restaurant
- Great NY Noodletown
- Hwa Yuan Szechuan
- Peking Duck House
- Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles
- Chinese Tuxedo
- Noodle Village
- Wo Hop Next Door
- Super Taste
- Wo Hop
- Spicy Village
- Hou Yi Hot Pot
- Pings
- Hop Lee
- Nha Trang One
- Kopitiam
- Wah Fung Fast Food
- Joe’s Shanghai
- Golden Steamer
- Mei Li Wah
- Taiwan Pork Chop House
