The neighborhoods of Manhattan and Queens offer all the wonderful opportunities to savor the many delicate nuances of Chinese cuisine. From the most basic $3.75 (at current prices) with 3 meals plus steamed rice to ultra-priced gourmet portions at tony restaurants outside of Chinatown, patrons are spoiled for choice. Note that if the food place is located outside of Chinatown, expect it to be more expensive than usual. But if you like something affordable and still taste great, quickly head to Chinatown.
1) may Flower This is Chinese (Cantonese, specifically), Latin American (ie Peruvian) style cuisine that you can enjoy somewhere on the Upper West Side. For its fusion food that you might expect at fancy food places, this place is very affordable. Highly sought-after dishes include “ceviche mixta” with onions, scallops, squid, and octopus. It is located between 83rd and 84th streets on Amsterdam Avenue.
two) spicy and tasty Located at 39-07 Prince Street in Flushing, Queens, where there now exists a true Hong Kong-like neighborhood that has outgrown Manhattan’s Chinatown. Here, you come across Sichuan (Szechuan), Chinese-style foods that are mixed with lots of peppers, Chinese celery, and chili sauces in their dishes.
3) Szechuan Gourmet Midtown West’s favorite Chinese food spot for those looking for a variety of foods that are spicy, low in salt, non-greasy in appearance, and free of MSG. Of course, there are other items on the menu where you can have your favorite foods that come salty, super spicy, savory, or even double cooked. This easily becomes a gathering place for office workers in Midtown who have a craving for Chinese food without having to go to Chinatown during their lunch hour.
4) Great King Wong Between Bayard and Canal on Mott Street in Chinatown, this place (also known as “Dai Wong,” which is the Chinese translation of the name) serves Cantonese cuisine. It always fills with customers who are craving noodles, congee, roast pork, roast duck, among others. The experience is completed in a small and crowded place, with a “not so” friendly level of service, offered at cheap prices, and yet all this gives the customer the general feeling of having enjoyed authentic Chinese food in the heart of Chinatown. .
5) Congee Town With current locations on the Lower East Side’s Allen Street and along Nolita’s Bowery, their house special chicken called “garlic fragrant chicken” is a must-try item on their menu. They have other items listed on their extensive menu that has a strong bias towards Cantonese cuisine and is at least 7 pages long, a sign that you are in for a great adventure in your quest for authentic Chinese cuisine this side of Manhattan, outside of Manhattan. Chinatown.
6) Greater Sichuan International They have 7 locations covering New York City including Jersey City. If you don’t want to waste your time going all the way to Chinatown and you’re somewhere else in New York, this is the Chinese food place to go. Try their spicy dan dan noodles, ma po tofu, dry fried green beans, double cooked pork, and fish-flavored eggplant. You’ll also notice that many Chinese-looking people eat here, a sign that it serves authentic Chinese food.
7) Wo Hop Restaurant Also on Chinatown’s Mott Street, where there are other notable Chinese restaurants, you locate this one in the basement. You will be served by Chinese servers who work to please you and are working to understand what you want to have for your meal. Try striking up a conversation with your waiter and he will surely guide you to his best deals based on your cravings at the time.
8) golden unicorn Located on East Broadway, away from Canal Street, where you may have a hard time finding street parking should you bring your car, this is the place to be if you want to enjoy meatballs of every conceivable and flavorful variety in grand style. . This is a huge restaurant in a building where you might want to bring the rest of your family and friends and be blown away by the experience.
9) Wu Liang Ye Located in Midtown at 36 W48th Street, near Times Square and Rockefeller Center, this is a respectable restaurant that is remarkably always packed with customers from all over the city. Here you’ll find authentic Szechuan-flavored food (meaning almost always spicy) that will provide you with a year-round Chinese food craving fix, without the need to go to Chinatown. Also, check out and ask about mandarin appetizers that you may have a hard time finding in other parts of the US.
10) White Bear This (“Bai Xiong” in Mandarin) should definitely be included here; located at 135-02 Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing, Queens. Experience savoring the tastiest dumplings and wonton noodles (supposedly among the best this side of Queens). It is a small shack of a food place that offers delicious Mandarin Chinese meals.
The list above includes those that continue to offer what is considered authentic and largely inspired by what can be found in the Motherland. You are also assured of the opportunity to enjoy the best of Chinese cuisine that is creatively combined with what is readily available and readily available in New York City’s local culture.