21 Chinatown Restaurants You Can't Afford to Miss (Hungry Foodie Guide)

Chinatown’s unequivocal darling, Nom Wah Tea Parlor, is the oldest dim sum restaurant in NYC. If time isn’t an issue and you’re okay waiting in line (I swear, there’s always a line), Nom Wah Tea Parlor is well worth the stop. The century-old establishment has a menu full of dumplings, noodles and soups that keeps folks coming back. Word to the wise. The egg rolls are non-negotiable.

The restaurant has been on Doyers Street since 1920! Over the past 100 years, this Chinatown dim sum restaurant has become an iconic NYC restaurant, going so far as to host the Met Gala Pre-Party in 2015. Nom Wah Tea Parlor is has expanded over the eyars, opening new shops across the city (and country), but you know the drill, nothing beats the original.

Cuisine. Hong Kong style dim sum

Must-Order Egg rolls, stuffed eggplant and the scallion pancake

Cash-Only? Yes (and minimum 15% tip)

Established in 1978, Jing Fong’s moved to a 20,000-square-foot space with a seating capacity of 800. It became one of the top restaurants in Chinatown for families and groups, boasting an extensive dim sum menu with up to 300 dishes on weekends. Despite downsizing in 2021 due to the pandemic, Jing Fong maintains its reputation for top-notch dim sum served on roving carts filled with fried, baked, and steamed treats.

The restaurant has some of the best pork buns in the neighborhood, signature Cantonese har gow (steamed shrimp dumplings), and perfectly tender chicken feet. Featuring banquet-style seating and communal tables, it’s still one of the most popular restaurants in Chinatown for large groups.

Cuisine. Cantonese

Must-Order Pork buns, har gow (shrimp dumplings), chicken feet

Cash-Only? No (15% minimum tip)

Something to Note Many visitors complain about the 15% minimum tip. I mention it so you’re not caught off-guard.

Ping’s Seafood is celebrated for authentic Cantonese cuisine and exceptional seafood dishes. Since opening in 1998, the restaurant has been a local favorite thanks to traditional cooking methods and fresh ingredients. Although Ping’s is a seafood restaurant, its most famous dish is the Peking duck.

Known for crispy skin and succulent meat, this really good dish is carved tableside. The dish, along with Ping’s dim sum and fresh seafood selections, draws food enthusiasts who want to get their grubby little hands on authentic Cantonese cuisine. Hard to go wrong with this tried-and-true classic.

Cuisine. Cantonese

Must-Order Peking duck, seafood shumai

Cash-Only? Yes

Tasty Dumpling is a humble dim sum restaurant in Chinatown that has quickly become a go-to spot for delicious and affordable comfort food. The pork & chive dumplings (available steamed or fried) are the best $2 you will ever spend.

They’re so popular that Tasty Dumpling offers them frozen in 50-piece bags (for only $16!). Other menu standouts include the pork and cabbage dumplings and the scallion pancake. Everything on the menu is under $4. So you might as well try it all. The only caveat is that the restaurant has limited seating. My tip is to enjoy your food on a bench across the street at Columbus Park.

Must-Order Pork and chive dumplings, scallion pancakes

Cash-Only? Yes

House of Joy, a Chinatown mainstay since 1989 (originally known as Delight 28), serves delicious dim sum in a polished banquet hall that can seat up to 500. They’re famous for classic steamed basket. There’s often a wait (up to an hour long), but trust me, unlike your high school fling, this dim sum is worth waiting for.

While dim sum is their specialty, they offer a wider lunch and dinner menu with dishes like pan-fried noodles and meats served over rice. The banquet hall and private karaoke rooms (call ahead to reserve) make it one of the best dim sum restaurants in Chinatown for everything from a celebratory get-together to a fun group outing.

Cuisine. Cantonese

Must-Order Salted egg buns, peking duck, har gow

Cash-Only? No

Established in 1938 (the second-oldest restaurant in Chinatown), Wo Hop is a NYC institution. The unassuming casual eatery specializes in Americanized Chinese cuisine like chop suey, a rarity amidst the authentic flavors of Chinatown. In fact, Wo Hop was named an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation in 2022, a distinction awarded to restaurants that contribute to America’s food culture and heritage.

The walls are adorned with family photographs and exude a cozy and historic ambiance. For decades, Wo Hop served as a safe haven for late-night wanderers (open 24/7), but after COVID the restaurant closes at 10pm. Renowned for friendly service and comforting traditional food steeped in flavors, Wo Hop is one of the best restaurants in Chinatown for Chinese-American classics.

Cuisine. Cantonese

Must-Order Any of the chow fun (like chow mein)

Cash-Only? Yes

One of the most reliable cheap eats in New York City hails from Banh Mi Saigon, a no-frills restaurant in Chinatown in Manhattan. Banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich made with a crispy baguette-style bread that’s generously filled with meats and veggies (like a delicious carrot slaw).

The signature BBQ pork sandwich is a fan favorite, clocking in at a mere $10. The baguette is perfectly crisp, the BBQ pork is juicy. And the vegetables offer a refreshing crunch. For a restaurant that doesn’t even have a website, the lines can be hard to believe. But thankfully, lines move quickly because this Chinatown restaurant doesn’t offer seating (you’ll need to grab that bad boy to go).

Local’s tip If you don’t plan on eating the sandwich right away, ask for it to come prepared “for tomorrow.” They’ll set the veggies aside so your sandwich doesn’t get soggy.

Cuisine. Vietnamese Banh Mi (sandwiches)

Must-Order#1 Banh Mi Saigon (Signature BBQ Pork)

Cash-Only? Yes

Known for their famous peanut noodles and dumplings (pork and chive is my go-to), Shu Jiao Fu Zhou has earned a. Spot on our list of the best places to eat in Chinatown NYC, especially if you’re trying to save a buck. An order of the pork and chive dumplings will cost you less than $3 (for 6) or $4 (for 10).

Must-Order Chive dumplings, peanut noodles

Cash-Only? Yes

Hop Kee is a cherished Chinatown restaurant renowned for delicious Cantonese cuisine. Opened in 1968, it was one of Anthony Bourdain’s top-five NYC restaurants and was featured in Parts Unknown’s last episode (filmed just two months before his death).

The restaurant’s menu has a diverse selection of dishes, from savory stir-fries to incredible seafood specialties. Among the array of beloved dishes. This dish features succulent crab stir-fried with a savory sauce, ginger, and scallions.

Cuisine Cantonese

Must-Order Crab Cantonese, peking pork chop

Cash-Only? Yes

Wah Fung No. 1 Fast Food opened in 1988 and quickly garnered a cult-like following for flavorful roasted meats. The restaurant offers a mouthwatering selection of Cantonese-style barbecue dishes, including succulent roast pork, tender roast duck, and crispy-skinned chicken.

Despite the unassuming exterior, Wah Fung No. 1 Fast Food has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional meals at affordable prices. I love bringing out-of-town guests here (especially those from small towns) so they can experience the unique fast-paced feel of the most popular restaurants in Chinatown.

Cuisine Cantonese

Must-Order Roasted pork, duck, and chicken

Cash-Only? Yes

Spicy Village has made a name for itself in Chinatown with homestyle cooking. Since opening, this modest eatery has. The standout dish is the big tray chicken, which has garnered a loyal fanbase over the years.

The dish is served over hand-pulled noodles or rice and drenched in a stew-like broth. In fact, it’s a prime reflection of the Henan province’s food traditions, emphasizing spicy flavor profiles. Spicy Village’s ability to offer a genuine taste of Henan and its friendly service make it a cherished spot for those seeking one of the best restaurants in Chinatown.

Cuisine Henan

Must-Order Big tray chicken

Cash-Only? Yes

Wu’s Wonton King is renowned for wontons served in steaming bowls of hot soup and flavorful noodle dishes. From classic dishes like Kung Pao and General Tso’s chicken to crowd-pleasers like chow mein, this place is an easy win for those that love bold flavors.

The restaurant offers a casual, relaxed vibe, perfect for a comfortable and satisfying Chinatown meal (and bring your own booze!). Whole chickens and ducks hang off a meat hook, and tanks ensure the live crabs and other seafood are always fresh. Although Wu’s is far from one of those places you only hear about from locals, the restaurant has manageable wait times compared to other popular restaurants in Chinatown.

Cuisine Cantonese

Must-Order Peking duck, wonton soup

Cash-Only? No

Found on historic Mott Street, Cha Chan Tang is a Hong Kong-style diner that mixes traditional Chinese and American fare. It’s one of the best restaurants in Chinatown NYC for quick and inexpensive meals. Their menu is great for various tastebuds, offering savory stir-fried noodles and rice dishes alongside familiar favorites like burgers and fries.

Cha Chan Tang is a great spot to experience the unique fusion of flavors in Hong Kong’s food scene or grab a classic American meal in a fun and vibrant setting. Also, Hong Kong milk tea (a blend of black tea and condensed milk, served hot or cold) is a staple drink that’s too good to pass up!

Cuisine Hong-Kong/American fare

Must-Order Hong Kong milk tea, soy sauce fried noodle

Cash-Only? Yes

One of the best places to eat in Chinatown is Mei Lai Wah, a to-go spot known for delicious steamed buns. Be prepared for long lines because this spot is extremely popular, my personal favorite is a toss up between the pineapple pork bun or the coconut cocktail bun.

The buns pull apart effortlessly, and the meat is tender and juicy. Mei Lai Wah is also one of the most affordable restaurants in Chinatown, NYC. The buns start at $1.50.

Must-Order Pineapple pork buns, BBQ pork buns, rice noodle roll

Cash-Only? No, but small discount if paying with cash

A Chinatown mainstay since the 1970s and run by the same team behind Mei Lai Wah, Wonton Noodle Garden recently moved to 23 Pell St (and is now called Mei Lai Wah Wonton Noodle). Their dedication to delicious and affordable Chinese food remains unchanged.

Folks are still happy to make the pilgrimage for the life-changing wonton noodle soup, which features expertly cooked noodles with flavorful broth and savory meat. But do yourself a favor and venture beyond the wontons.

Dive into the noodles, rice, dumplings, and stir-fries and you’ll quickly see that this gem isn’t a one-trick pony by any stretch of the imagination. Just note that this Chinatown restaurant adds an 18% gratuity to every bill.

Must-Order Wonton noodle soup

Cash-Only? No

Yi Ji Shi Mo Noodle Corp has become a standout restaurant in Chinatown for its dedication to the art of traditional Chinese rice noodle making. Specializing in Guangxi cuisine, this spot. Options like marinated beef, fresh shrimp, and char siu pork are all tempting, and a side of curry fish balls is always a good idea.

Each roll is skillfully prepared in-house (and can take up to 30 minutes to prepare), in line with Guangxi street food. And speaking of street food, Yi Ji Shi Mo Noodle is takeout only, but the Hester Street Playground has benches two blocks away.

Cuisine Guangxi

Must-Order The signature rice noodle roll (roast pork, shrimp, cilantro, and egg)

Cash-Only? Yes

Wok Wok shines with its expertise in Southeast Asian flavors, particularly its mastery of Malaysian cuisine. The restaurant’s most celebrated dish, roti canai, is a light and flaky flatbread served with a rich, spicy curry dip. It perfectly encapsulates Southeast Asia’s vibrant and diverse flavors.

The rest of the menu is a laundry list of Malaysian and Thai street food, with tantalizing classics like Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, and char kway teow. The small Chinatown restaurant also offers an array of imported beer, Asian-inspired cocktails, and (my favorite) Thai iced tea.

Cuisine.Malaysian + Thai (Southeast Asia)

Must-Order.Roti canai flatbread

Cash-Only? Yes

Joe’s Shanghai has been a beacon of Chinatown since opening in 1995 and is celebrated for bringing Shanghainese cuisine to NYC. The restaurant’s signature soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) draw in droves of tourists and locals alike. The delicately wrapped dumplings are filled with a flavorful broth and meat filling, typically pork or pork & crab, and are a testament to the intricate skills of Shanghainese cooking.

The art of eating these dumplings – lifting them gently with chopsticks, poking a small hole to release the steam, and savoring the rich, warm broth inside – is part of the experience. Joe’s Shanghai’s success in delivering an authentic and memorable dining experience helped garner a reputation as one of the best restaurants in Chinatown.

Cuisine.Shanghainese

Must-Order. Pork soup dumplings, scallion pancake, Shanghai noodles

Cash-Only? Yes

Are you craving an authentic and budget-friendly Chinatown experience?Unlike the restaurants with binder-size menus, May Wah prides itself on simplicity, offering a focused menu featuring Taiwanese street food like BBQ pork chops or roast chicken served over rice with classic sides.

Their dedication to perfected recipes ensures consistently satisfying meals. At the same time, unbeatable prices (nothing over $10!) make it one of the most affordable restaurants in Chinatown. Plus, its old-school charm transports diners to a more traditional Chinatown hole in the wall eatery, inviting all to savor the flavor and value without the frills.