10 Best Chinese Restaurants in Chinatown NYC
If you’re looking for the best Chinatown restaurants in NYC, you’re in for a treat. The city is full of amazing Chinese restaurants, from upscale establishments to tiny hole-in-the-wall joints. You will find most places in Chinatown in the Lower East side and others in Flushing, Queens. The second is cheaper but also much further away, which is great if you are a local and trying to explore a new area with cheap eats. Most tourists would opt for the Lower East side though considering how easily accessible it is. But either way, if you’re on a budget and looking for some of the cheapest and best places to eat Chinese food in New York, we’ve got you covered.
1. Xi’an Famous Foods
With multiple locations throughout the city, Xi’an Famous Foods is a must-visit for anyone looking for delicious Chinese food on a budget (can be under $10). The restaurant’s signature dish is the Spicy Lamb Noodle Soup, which features tender lamb, hand-pulled noodles, and a rich, spicy broth. The broth is made with a combination of beef and lamb bones, giving it a depth of flavor that’s hard to replicate. The chef adds cilantro and scallions on top, adding a fresh, herbal note to the rich soup.
Another must-try dish is the Spicy Cumin Lamb Hand-Ripped Noodles. This dish features tender chunks of lamb marinated in a spicy cumin sauce, served over hand-ripped noodles. They make fresh in-house noodles and have a chewy texture that pairs perfectly with the flavorful lamb.
2. Vanessa’s Dumpling House
As the name suggests, the dumplings are the star of the menu. These plump, juicy dumplings come in a variety of flavors, from classic pork to shrimp and chive to vegetarian. Each dumpling is made fresh in-house and steamed to order, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor – and for a fraction of the price of other places. This makes Vanessa’s Dumpling House one of the best Chinese restaurants in Chinatown NYC.
The menu also features a variety of other Chinese dishes, like scallion pancakes, beef noodle soup, and sesame noodles. The portions are generous and the prices are reasonable, making it a great spot for a quick and affordable meal.
One of the standout dishes at Vanessa’s Dumpling House is the sesame pancake sandwich. This unique dish features a crispy, flaky sesame pancake filled with your choice of meat or vegetables and topped with a variety of sauces and condiments. It’s messy and delicious, and a must-try for anyone visiting the restaurant.
3. Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles
Located in Chinatown, Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles lives up to its name. They offer a variety of noodle dishes, but the hand-pulled noodles with beef or lamb are the stars of the menu and only cost around $10.
These long, chewy noodles are made fresh in-house and are the star of many of the dishes on the menu. From beef noodle soup to sesame sauce noodles, each dish showcases the texture and flavor of these handmade noodles.
One of the standout dishes at Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles is the Spicy Lamb Noodle Soup. This hearty soup features tender chunks of lamb in a rich, spicy broth, served over a bed of hand-pulled noodles. The broth has a depth of flavor that comes from hours of simmering with aromatics and spices, and the noodles have a satisfying chewiness that pairs perfectly with the tender lamb.
Another must-try dish is the Dry-Fried Beef Noodles. This dish features hand-pulled noodles tossed with strips of tender beef and a savory sauce made with garlic, soy sauce, and a touch of spice. The dish is served with a side of broth, which can be used to slurp up any leftover sauce and noodles.
4. Great N.Y. Noodletown
The menu at Great N.Y. Noodletown features a range of classic Chinese dishes, with a particular emphasis on noodles and seafood. One of their most popular dishes is the roast pork and duck noodle soup, which is served with thin, chewy egg noodles in a savory broth. Other popular noodle dishes include the beef chow fun and the wonton noodle soup.
In addition to their noodle dishes, Great N.Y. Noodletown is also known for their roasted meats, such as the crispy roast pork and the tender roast duck. These meats are often served with rice or in noodle dishes, and are a must-try for any first-time visitor.
5. Wo Hop
This one of the best Chinese restaurants in Chinatown NYC has been serving up Chinese food since the 1930s. Their prices are reasonable, with many dishes costing under $10, and the atmosphere is lively and authentic.
Wo Hop is known for its dim sum, the bite-sized dishes traditionally served with tea for breakfast or lunch. The menu features a variety of classic dim sum dishes, like steamed pork buns, shrimp dumplings, and pan-fried turnip cakes. Each dish is made fresh to order and arrives at the table piping hot.
But Wo Hop is also famous for its Cantonese-style dishes, like beef chow fun, roast pork with rice, and General Tso’s chicken. These dishes are made with fresh ingredients and prepared with care, resulting in bold flavors and satisfying textures.
6. Shu Jiao Fu Zhou
This unassuming spot in Chinatown specializes in dumplings, noodles, and soups. Their pork and chive dumplings are a fan favorite and cost only $5 for ten.
One of the standout dishes at Shu Jiao Fu Zhou is the fish ball soup. These handmade fish balls are made with fresh fish and spices, and are served in a rich and savory broth. The dish is hearty and satisfying, and the fish balls have a tender texture that pairs perfectly with the flavorful broth.
Another must-try dish is the Fuzhou-style wontons. These delicate dumplings are filled with a mixture of ground pork and shrimp, and are served in a light, savory broth. The wontons have a thin wrapper that allows the flavors of the filling to shine through, and the broth is infused with the flavors of ginger and scallions.
7. Hop Kee
Another Chinatown classic, Hop Kee has been serving up Cantonese cuisine for over 50 years. Their prices are reasonable, and their roast pork and roast duck dishes are highly recommended.
Hop Kee is known for its classic Cantonese-style dishes, like steamed whole fish, crispy roast pork, and sautéed snow pea leaves. Each dish is made with fresh ingredients and prepared with care, resulting in bold flavors and satisfying textures.
One of the standout dishes at Hop Kee is the roast duck. This dish features succulent duck that has been roasted to crispy perfection, with a skin that crackles under the slightest pressure. The meat is tender and flavorful, and the dish is often served with a side of plum sauce for dipping.
Another must-try dish is the beef chow fun. This dish features wide rice noodles stir-fried with tender slices of beef and crispy bean sprouts, resulting in a hearty and satisfying meal. The noodles have a subtle smokiness from the wok, and the beef is cooked to perfection with just the right amount of seasoning.
8. Spicy Village
Don’t let the tiny size of this East Village spot fool you – their food packs a punch. The cumin lamb noodles and beef noodle soup are favorites, and both cost under $10.
One of the standout dishes at Spicy Village, one of the best Chinese restaurants in Chinatown NYC, is the lamb noodle soup. This dish features tender chunks of lamb, hand-pulled noodles, and a rich, savory broth infused with spices like cumin and chili oil. The noodles have a satisfying chewiness and the lamb is incredibly flavorful, making this dish a must-try for any noodle lover.
Another popular dish is the spicy lamb burger. This sandwich features a juicy lamb patty that has been seasoned with cumin and chili flakes, and is served on a fluffy sesame bun with cilantro and sliced onions. The combination of flavors and textures is truly unforgettable, and this dish is a must-try for anyone looking for a unique twist on the classic burger.
9. Prosperity Dumpling
Prosperity Dumpling’s signature dish is their fried pork and chive dumplings. These dumplings are made with a thin, crispy wrapper and filled with a flavorful mixture of ground pork and chives. They are then pan-fried to perfection, resulting in a delicious combination of crispy and juicy textures. This dish is incredibly popular among the restaurant’s regulars and visitors alike, and it’s often recommended as a must-try item for first-time visitors to Prosperity Dumpling. However, they also have other popular dishes such as steamed vegetable dumplings, scallion pancakes, and sesame pancakes.
10. Joe’s Shanghai
Joe’s Shanghai is a popular Chinese restaurant located in New York City’s Chinatown neighborhood. The restaurant was founded in 1995 and quickly gained a reputation for its delicious soup dumplings, or xiaolongbao, which are its signature dish.
The menu at Joe’s Shanghai features a range of classic Chinese dishes, but the standout item is undoubtedly their soup dumplings. These dumplings are filled with a savory mixture of pork and broth, and are typically served with a side of black vinegar and shredded ginger. The combination of the hot, flavorful broth and the tender, juicy pork makes for a delicious and satisfying meal.
One of the unique aspects of Joe’s Shanghai is that they offer both Shanghai-style and Cantonese-style versions of many of their dishes. This allows diners to choose their preferred style, depending on their individual tastes.
There you have it – some of the cheapest and best places to eat Chinese food in New York. Whether you’re in the mood for noodles, dumplings, or roast meats, these spots won’t disappoint.