Looking for the best Chinatown restaurants in NYC? Well, you’re in the right place!
New York City’s Chinatown is a bustling hub of culture, history, and most importantly, food! From noodle houses to dumpling spots, this vibrant neighborhood offers a culinary journey like no other.
We’re about to explore the best restaurants in Chinatown NYC that you got to make a stop at!
1. Xi’an Famous Foods 西安名吃
Do not let this counter-serve restaurant fool you! What it lacks in high-end atmosphere, it makes up for with bold flavor.
Xi’an Famous Food is pure heaven for authentic Chinese dishes, and you can see chefs preparing hand-pulled noodles and other delicacies thanks to its open kitchen as well!
One of the neighborhood’s best bargains, we have to say!
The Spicy Cumin Lamb Burger and Liang Pi “Cold-Skin Noodles” are must-tries, offering a blend of spices and textures that are a feast for the senses. The crispy burger is filled with sliced lamb sautéed with ground cumin, toasted chili seeds, long-horn peppers, red onions, scallions, and garlic, which is super juicy and tasty.
The Liang Pi “Cold-Skin Noodles” is mixed with pulled pieces of stewed pork, which was simmered for hours in soy sauce along with proprietary herbs and spices. Spicy and steamy!
Besides its hand-pulled noodles, which are obviously famous, the dumplings deserve just as much of the spotlight. Especially the spinach dumplings that are packed with chopped spinach and bouncy vermicelli, the vegetarian option has a slight edge!
Don’t forget to add in some vinegar-spiked chili oil that brings just the right amount of heat to the entire affair!
What to order: Spicy Cumin Lamb Burger, Liang Pi “Cold-Skin Noodles”, Spicy & Sour Lamb Dumplings, Spicy & Sour Spinach Dumplings.
Address: 45 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013
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2. Uncle Lou
Uncle Lou is a hidden gem in NYC’s Chinatown, offering a blend of traditional and modern Chinese cuisine.
This place is all about great food, a warm & inviting space, and large wooden tables with lazy susans that encourage family-style eating!
The Peking Duck is a house specialty, and their Dim Sum selection is not to be missed. The rich flavor of the tender duck meat and crispy skin pairs so well with the salty, seasoned notes of the hoisin sauce.
Other highlights like Eggplant in Yuxiang Garlic Sauce, Braised Pork Belly with Mui-Choy, and Steamed Buffalo Fish with Ginger & Scallion shouldn’t be missed too!
The smoky eggplant is stir-fried until tender, then tossed with a sweet, savory, and spicy sauce. And the steamed fish is as refreshing, mild yet flavorful as ever!
What to order: Peking Duck, Dim Sum selection, Eggplant in Yuxiang Garlic Sauce, Braised Pork Belly with Mui-Choy, Steamed Buffalo Fish with Ginger & Scallion
Address: 73 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013
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3. Shanghai 21
Shanghai 21 offers an authentic Shanghainese dining experience right in the heart of Chinatown.
Whenever you feel like eating soup dumplings and Shanghainese stir-fried noodles, give Shanghai 21 a try!
Inside, the setting is cozy and home-y, featuring Chinese lanterns and intricate woodwork, making it a great place for both casual lunches and intimate dinners.
Popular orders include the Crab & Pork Dumplings, in which the pork’s rich flavor is enhanced by the natural sweetness of the crab, for a seafood flavor that’s rich but mellow; or Black Truffle & Pork Dumplings that are super aromatic!
For an out-of-your-safety-zone dish, try their Diced Chicken in Hot Pepper Sauce! The chicken is juicy and tender, served with crunchy vegetables, and dressed in a rich, savory hot pepper sauce.
What to order: Soup Dumplings, Shanghainese Stir-Fried Noodles, Crab & Pork Dumplings, Black Truffle & Pork Dumplings, Diced Chicken in Hot Pepper Sauce
Address: 21 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
4. Wo Hop
Having been serving New Yorkers since 1938, Wo Hop is your new go-to for some old-school Cantonese fare.
Stepping into Wo Hop is like stepping back in time, with its retro decor featuring old-school booths and vintage photos on the walls.
The restaurant is famous for its wide range of Cantonese-style dishes, from seafood to poultry. Just to remind you, this place is cash only!
The Roast Pork Lo Mein and the Shrimp with Lobster Sauce are crowd favorites, capturing the essence of traditional Cantonese cooking.
The Roast Pork Lo Mein comes with the most succulent pork tenderloin and linguine noodles drenched in a delicious ginger-sesame-soy sauce.
The Shrimp with Lobster Sauce is savory and saucy which goes perfectly with rice!
Their intensely crispy Fried Dumplings are a must-try too. Or you can discover the menu’s specialty, which you can’t find anywhere else, like Chinese Omelette. The omelettee is filled with full of pork & shrimp and smothered in a delicious oyster sauce dressing.
What to order: Roast Pork Lo Mein, Shrimp with Lobster Sauce, Fried Dumplings, Shredded Beed Szechuan Style, Chow Gai Kew, Chinese Omelette
Address: 17 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
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5. Joe’s Shanghai
Being one of Chinatown’s most popular restaurants, Joe’s Shanghai is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience authentic Shanghainese cuisine.
This place has been loved for its delicious soup dumplings, which are meticulously handcrafted by skilled chefs. No wonder Joe’s Shanghai is always packed with people who know good food!
The Crab Meat with Pork Meat Steamed Buns is a house specialty, offering a burst of flavor with every bite.
They taste just as good as they sound, and don’t forget to add some more fragrant vinegar and tender ginger to feel the flavors blooming inside your palate!
Of course, you can’t miss their Soup Dumplings, which are freshly made to order and arrive at the table in piping-hot bamboo steamers. Each plump dumpling contains a little pork meatball surrounded by a delightful meaty broth.
Bite off a little piece of the doughy wrapper, suck the broth with a “slurp”, then finish the rest. That’s how you do it at Joe’s Shanghai!
What to order: Soup Dumplings, Crab Meat with Pork Meat Steamed Buns, House Special Glazed Chicken, Peking Style Minced Pork Noodles
Address: 46 Bowery, New York, NY 10013
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6. Supreme Restaurant
Supreme Restaurant offers a modern take on traditional Chinese cuisine, blending flavors and techniques to create a unique dining experience.
You’ll immediately feel at home when coming to Supreme Restaurant with all of its simple decoration and friendly service!
Plus, this is one of the best places to satisfy your dumplings crave without breaking the bank, so why wait?
The Peking Duck is a standout, prepared using a special roasting technique that results in crispy skin and tender meat.
Another must-try is the Szechuan Spicy Fish, which is a perfect blend of heat and flavor. The Szechuan peppercorns and dried red chili peppers are not super spicy but rather create a signature scent for the dish, along with cardamom, star anise, and cinnamon.
They are just perfect to highlight the fresh and delicate taste of the freshly steamed fish.
You can also try their savory Crispy Whole Fish with Pine Nuts, in which the flesh of the fish is shaped like pine nuts, hence the name “Pine Nut-shaped Fish”.
What to order: Peking Duck, Szechuan Spicy Fish, Crispy Whole Fish with Pine Nuts, Sweet & Sour Fish Fillet, Pork Steamed Dumplings
Address: 100 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
7. Fried Dumpling
Tucked away in a Chinatown alley near the back of NYC’s Civic Center is a little hole-in-the-wall dumpling spot that’s simply called “Fried Dumpling.”
This place is a hidden gem in Chinatown, offering a no-frills experience, focusing solely on the quality of the food.
The menu is simple, the Fried Dumplings are golden crispy on the outside yet soft and tender on the inside. A squirt of sriracha and a shake of vinegar dumpling sauce and you’re all set. You can also choose steamed ones, which have a soft-chewy texture.
Side dish like the rich and flavorful Hot & Sour Soup is a must, especially when it’s cold outside. They also serve drinks like coffee and tea as well! Just a note, there’s no place to sit here.
You can either stand around at the small shelf along the side wall or take your plastic clamshell to go.
What to order: Fried Dumplings, Fried Pork Dumplings, Hot & Sour Soup
Address: 106 Mosco St, New York, NY 10013
8. Tasty Dumpling
Tasty Dumpling lives up to its name by offering some of the most delicious dumplings in Chinatown.
The straightforward spot sports a concise menu of dumplings, soups, and starters. With a casual, laid-back atmosphere, Tasty Dumpling is a perfect spot for a quick bite.
There is a variety of other dishes, but the dumplings are undoubtedly the star of the show.
Pair an order of Chive and Pork Dumplings with Scallion Pancakes and Wonton Soup for a filling meal that won’t break the bank. Items like Pork Cabbage Dumplings, Mushroom & Chicken Boiled Dumplings are widely loved too!
The Pork Cabbage Dumplings are crispy and savory when packed with deliciously seasoned ground pork and cabbage with garlic and ginger.
And the Mushroom & Chicken Boiled Dumplings are juicy when mushrooms – both fresh and dried – give them a really deep, meaty flavor!
What to order: Pork Cabbage Dumplings, Mushroom & Chicken Boiled Dumplings, Pork Wonton Soup, Shrimp & Chives Boiled Dumplings
Address: 42 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013
9. Super Taste
Super Taste is a noodle house that offers a variety of Chinese dishes, but it’s their hand-pulled noodles that steal the spotlight. The restaurant has a modern, clean ambiance, providing a comfortable setting for a hearty meal.
The Spicy Beef Noodle Soup is a standout, featuring tender beef, perfectly cooked noodles in a flavorful broth, and garnished with a bunch of chilis and parsley on top.
If you want to supplement your noodles, we also recommend trying the Pork House Bao, which is light and fluffy with a slab of pork belly and crushed peanuts.
Don’t go home without trying their Hot Sesame Noodle (if you want to give your tastebud a spicy kick) or Soy Bean Paste Noodle, which comes with noodles drenched in sweet & savory sauce, and crunchy veggies!
What to order: Spicy Beef Noodle Soup, Steamed Pork & Chive Dumplings, Hot Sesame Noodles, Pork House Bao, Soy Bean Paste Noodles, Sizchuan Style Dumplings
Address: 26 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002
10. Mei Lai Wah | Wonton Noodle Garden
Mei Lai Wah is a classic spot in Chinatown, NYC, known for its wonton noodles. The restaurant has a nostalgic ambiance, reminiscent of traditional Chinese eateries.
The restaurant also offers a variety of other dishes, but the wonton noodles are the star attraction. Definitely a must-visit destination for all noodle enthusiasts!
Start it right with the wonton with Shanghai Noodles! The noodles are perfectly thin and slightly crispy and the wontons are delicate, filled with shrimp and pork. Of course, it can taste even better when paired with other dishes like vegetables shimmered in oyster sauce, or crispy fried wings.
In case you’ve tried those items above, make a new move with the Sweet & Sour Pork Chop with Shanghai Noodles, which is way more meaty and richer!
Pair it with some tasty, tender Baby Shrimp with Garlic Sauce, then you’re all set!
What to order: Wonton with Shanghai Noodles, Sweet & Sour Pork Chop with Shanghai Noodles, Rice with Beef Stew & Curry Sauce, Baby Shrimp with Garlic Sauce
Address: 23 Pell St, New York, NY 10038
11. Spicy Village
Spicy Village is a popular spot in Chinatown, NYC, known for its Henan-style dishes. Spicy Village’s big tray chicken is one of Chinatown’s most iconic dishes, to be honest!
The setting and service are extremely casual, which allows for exceedingly inexpensive prices. This place is always busy, and you might find it difficult to get a table even on a Monday night!
Always get the Spicy Big Tray Chicken, always! Big bone-in hunks of chicken and potatoes come stewed in a rich sauce made with Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, and other spices.
Choose to add some hand-pulled noodles, and there you go – a meal for 2 (or even 3).
Still have room for some more? Grab the Spice Scallion Sauce Dumplings and dip them in the soy-scallion-chili oil sauce. Or some Grilled Pepper Chicken, it’s a little bit hot, a little bit sweet, and extremely delicious.
Just be aware that Spicy Village can’t accommodate parties larger than six as the space is fairly small.
What to order: Spicy Big Tray Chicken, Spice Scallion Sauce Dumplings, Grilled Pepper Chicken, Spicy Lamb Hu Mei
Address: 68 Forsyth St, New York, NY 10002
12. Chang Lai Fishballs Noodles
Chang Lai Fishballs Noodles is a beloved street cart specializing in fish balls and noodles now has a brick-and-mortar spot on Bayard Street in Chinatown.
It’s a great place to stop for authentic, budget-friendly rice noodles, boiled tea eggs, curry fish balls, and beef tripe. Pass by for breakfast or lunch in Chinatown.
Oh and remember, cash only!
Their Fishball Noodle Soup is a must-try, featuring bouncy fishballs and perfectly cooked noodles in a flavorful broth.
In case you want to level up the fishballs, choose the Curry Fishballs, which are way more aromatic and flavors than the regular ones.
The Oyster Sauce Fish Ball Rice Noodles are perfect for a hearty lunch, which is loaded with incredible flavors!
Don’t hesitate to wash them all down with a glass of fresh and slightly sweet Lychee Tea.
What to order: Fishball Noodle Soup, Oyster Sauce Fish Ball Rice Noodles, Mushroom & Chives Fried Buns, Pork Skin & Radish Rice Noodles, Lychee Tea
Address: 55 Bayard St Store B, New York, NY 10013
13. Mee Sum Cafe
Right next door to the famous House of Joy, there’s a tiny spot that’s also worthwhile – Mee Sum Cafe.
Mee Sum Cafe is a quaint eatery in Chinatown, famous for its variety of Chinese dishes served in a casual, laid-back atmosphere.
You can find all sorts of things, from dim sum, soup, and congee, to other breakfast and lunch items at a very affordable price.
For a simple lunch, order a little box of rice topped with salted chicken, Chinese sausage, and a fried egg.
Or you can try their famous dim sum, especially the Pork Dimsum, which has a rich umami taste and can taste even better when dipped into their special house sauce!
The Roast Pork Bun is no less delicious as a snack.
While the dim sum is definitely the star of the show, we recommend you to try their Toisan-style joong too (if you still have room for some more). It’s a steamed sticky rice wrap filled with pork, salted egg yolk, peanuts, and mung beans.
Nutty, savory, and slightly sweet, a perfect meal when you’re on the go.
What to order: Roast Pork Bun, Toisan-style Joong, Pork Dimsum, Shrimp Rice Noodles, Meatballs
Address: 26 Pell St, New York, NY 10013
Chinatown in New York City is a treasure trove of culinary delights, offering an array of flavors, textures, and cooking styles that are as diverse as the community itself.
Looking for more recommendations? Well, check out our picks for the best Brooklyn restaurants!
How We Create Our “Best” Lists
All Noms Magazine’s “best” lists are created using multiple factors and signals to help readers find the best restaurants, things to do, and places to stay at. Some of these factors and signs include personal experiences, correspondence with locals, and compiling experiences from review sites.
Each list is also created to be balanced (in terms of price, cuisine type, ambiance, and more) as possible. This means that the lists are not specifically created in ranking order. You should be comfortable picking from any of the spots on the list and generally have a good time. But of course, YMMV (your mileage may vary) and everyone may have different experiences/palates.