New York City is famous for its diverse food culture, and Chinese cuisine is no exception. With a plethora of Chinese restaurants scattered throughout the city, it can be challenging to decide where to go for the best experience.
Whether you're looking for traditional Cantonese dishes or modern takes on Sichuan cuisine, New York City has it all.
Chinese cuisine is known for its complex flavors and diverse cooking techniques. From savory dumplings and spicy hotpots to crispy Peking duck and steaming bowls of noodles, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Chinese cuisine has a rich history and has evolved over the centuries, with various regional specialties and cooking styles.
In New York City, Chinese restaurants are not limited to just Chinatown. You can find amazing Chinese restaurants in every corner of the city, from Queens to Brooklyn and even in Manhattan's Upper East Side. Each of these restaurants has its unique take on Chinese cuisine, providing diners with an extensive range of options to choose from.
With so many Chinese restaurants to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide where to go. That's why we've compiled a list of the best Chinese restaurants in New York City to help guide you on your culinary journey.
1. Wah Fung No.1 Fast Food
Wah Fung No.1 Fast Food is a casual Chinese restaurant that serves street-style food. The restaurant's specialty is the roast pork, which is delicious and reasonably priced.
Customers can choose from a variety of meats over rice with steamed cabbage on the side.
The restaurant only accepts cash, and there is no seating inside, but customers can take their food to a nearby park to eat.
The line can be long, but it moves quickly. Wah Fung No.1 Fast Food is a great place to grab a quick, tasty meal at an affordable price.
2. Shu Jiao Fu Zhou
Shu Jiao Fu Zhou is a Chinese restaurant that specializes in soups, noodles, and dumplings.
This simple and clean cafe offers delicious and affordable dishes that are worth trying. The fish ball soup is a must-try and the pork and chive dumplings are a popular favorite.
The noodles with peanut butter sauce are also a great option. The portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable.
The staff is friendly and provides excellent customer service. This is a great spot for a quick and satisfying lunch.
3. Shanghai 21
Shanghai 21 is a must-try Chinese restaurant. The menu boasts a wide range of dishes, including soup dumplings and shrimp with fruit sauce.
The food is fresh and flavorful, and the prices are reasonable. The restaurant may be small, but the quality of the food makes up for it.
The indoor and outdoor seating options, along with the availability of hand sanitizer and vaccine card checks, make it a safe and enjoyable dining experience.
Don't miss out on this hidden gem in the heart of Chinatown.
4. Super Taste
Super Taste is a hidden gem in the heart of the city. This no-frills Chinese eatery is famous for its hand-pulled noodles and delicious dumplings.
The menu features a wide range of meat and fish dishes served with flavorful broth.
The prices are incredibly reasonable, making it a great option for those on a budget. The service is fast and efficient, ensuring you get your food in no time.
Don't judge it by its exterior; the food is definitely worth a visit. If you are a fan of Chinese cuisine, Super Taste is a must-try.
5. Spicy Village
Spicy Village is a Chinese restaurant that serves Henan cuisine.
They offer a variety of dishes, including hand-pulled noodles, pork pancakes, and spicy chicken. The restaurant is cash only and has limited indoor seating.
The service is fast, and the staff is friendly. The spicy scallion dumplings and the beef noodles are highly recommended.
If you're looking for a quick and cheap meal, Spicy Village is a great option.
6. Wo Hop
Wo Hop is a hidden gem in Chinatown that offers authentic Cantonese cuisine. The restaurant has a quirky interior with walls covered in dollar bills and police patches.
The food portions are generous and reasonably priced. The menu has a wide range of options, including unusual dishes like steamed pork with salty egg or clams in red bean sauce.
The service is fast and friendly, and the staff is mostly elderly, giving the restaurant an old-school Hong Kong vibe.
Wo Hop is a cash-only restaurant, so make sure to bring enough cash with you. If you're looking for delicious and authentic Chinese food, Wo Hop is definitely worth a visit.
7. Dim Sum Palace
Dim Sum Palace is a must-visit for anyone looking for delicious Chinese food. With an extensive menu, including a wide variety of dumplings and dim sums, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The friendly staff and cozy atmosphere make for a pleasant dining experience.
Don't miss out on the half-price happy hour specials, which offer a great value for the quality of food served.
Whether you're in the mood for a quick bite or a full meal, Dim Sum Palace is sure to satisfy your cravings.
8. Uncle Lou
Uncle Lou is a Chinese restaurant that serves delicious Cantonese and Hong Kong-style dishes. The restaurant is well-decorated and has a festive atmosphere, perfect for family gatherings or brunch with friends.
The menu offers a vast selection of dishes, including crispy garlic chicken, pan-fried noodles, and salt and pepper fried squid.
The veggie dishes are also highly recommended. The staff is friendly and attentive, making sure that customers are happy with their meal and experience.
Uncle Lou is a great addition to the neighborhood and is definitely worth a visit.
9. Chow House
Chow House is an authentic Chinese restaurant with a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff.
They offer a wide variety of dishes, including traditional Chinese options and American-Chinese favorites. The lunch special is well-priced, making it a popular spot for weekday lunches.
The food is tasty and prepared quickly, with standout dishes including the vegetable tofu soup and tea smoked duck.
The restaurant also offers Sichuan staples, such as soup dumplings and spicy dishes. While some dishes are not exceptional, the overall dining experience is enjoyable and worth a visit.
10. Wo Hop Next Door
If you're looking for authentic Chinese cuisine, Wo Hop Next Door is a must-visit restaurant.
The menu offers a wide range of dishes, including some out-of-the-ordinary options that are worth trying. The portions are generous and the food is delicious.
The service is friendly and accommodating, making for a pleasant dining experience. Although the restaurant is not super fancy, it is clean and inviting.
If you're in the area, be sure to stop in and enjoy some of the best Chinese food around.
11. Feng Wei
Feng Wei is a hidden gem of a Chinese restaurant. Tucked away in an abandoned shopping mall, it's a bit hard to find, but well worth the effort.
With only a few items on the menu, the food is homemade and delicious, and the prices are incredibly cheap.
The small, steamed buns are a must-try, as well as the fried dumplings and bamboo shoot cake. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the staff is friendly and accommodating.
If you're looking for authentic Northern-style Chinese food at a great price, Feng Wei is the place to go.
12. Jiang Nan NYC
Jiang Nan NYC is a contemporary Chinese restaurant with a chic and streamlined space.
The food is well presented with a modern twist on classic Chinese dishes. The staff is attentive and the service is excellent.
The restaurant offers a nice selection of dishes, including a fantastic Peking Duck and seafood tofu.
The atmosphere is cozy and sleek, making it a great spot for a night out. If you're looking for a Chinese fusion fare, Jiang Nan NYC is definitely worth a try.
13. Cheong Fun Cart
Cheong Fun Cart is a hidden gem in the bustling streets of Chinatown. This small food cart is famous for its freshly cooked rice rolls that are filled with high-quality ingredients.
The cart is run by two lovely ladies who speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, making it easy to place an order. The menu is entirely in Chinese, but don't let that discourage you.
The rice rolls are served hot and are a perfect breakfast or lunch option. The prices are incredibly affordable, making it an excellent value for money. The cart is open seven days a week, from early morning until noon.
Be prepared to wait in line, but it's worth the wait. If you're looking for a delicious, authentic Chinese food experience, Cheong Fun Cart is a must-visit.
14. Chinese Tuxedo
Chinese Tuxedo is a two-story restaurant that offers contemporary Chinese cuisine with stylish touches.
The restaurant is located in a former opera house and has a classy vibe. The food is delicious and well-executed, with unique dishes and flavors.
The staff is attentive and knowledgeable about food allergies. The drinks are strong and delicious, and the lucky 88 is worth trying.
The restaurant is perfect for a date or night out with friends. It is a great addition to the NYC Chinatown scene and is definitely worth a visit.
15. Deluxe Green Bo
Deluxe Green Bo is a hidden gem of a Chinese restaurant that offers excellent quality food at a very fair price.
The variety of options is stellar, and the garlic eggplant and pork soup dumplings are particularly delicious.
It's a small restaurant with nothing fancy, but the authentic Shanghai cuisine is worth the visit.
The casserole is a must-try, and the pork chop over rice and noodles are also highly recommended. Just keep in mind that this restaurant only accepts cash.
16. Hwa Yuan Szechuan
Hwa Yuan Szechuan is a revived legendary Chinese restaurant that offers an elegant and upscale dining experience.
The restaurant is located in the heart of Chinatown and is perfect for large gatherings. The signature dishes like duck and whole fish are best shared.
The staff is kind and attentive. The food is delicious and fresh, but some dishes lack depth in flavor. The Peking duck is definitely a star of the show.
The ambiance is clean, modern, and felt ritzy. It's an expensive place, but the food is great and worth the price.
17. Kung Fu Kitchen
Kung Fu Kitchen is a hidden gem that serves up delicious and authentic Chinese cuisine.
Their dumplings and noodle dishes are a must-try, and the spicy tofu is perfect for those who love a little heat.
The prices are reasonable and the portions are generous. The restaurant has a low-key atmosphere and the staff is friendly and attentive.
If you're looking for a break from burgers and pizza, Kung Fu Kitchen is definitely worth a visit.
18. Pinch Chinese
Pinch Chinese is a trendy Chinese restaurant that combines traditional and modern elements in its design.
The menu offers a variety of tasty dishes, such as pork dumplings and seafood fried rice, but the portions are small and prices are high.
The bar serves creative cocktails, including the popular Lapsang Sichuan. The restaurant can get noisy and crowded, but the service is friendly and efficient.
Pinch Chinese is a good option for those looking for a stylish atmosphere and unique dishes.
19. Golden Wuish
Golden Wuish is a new Chinese restaurant that has recently opened its doors. The restaurant offers a variety of Asian cuisine and delicious cocktails.
The staff is friendly and attentive, ensuring that customers have a great dining experience. The ambience is elegant and tasteful, making it a great spot for dates or business dinners.
The restaurant serves dim sums during lunchtime and Chinese hot dishes during the evening.
The Peking duck is a must-try and is considered the best in Manhattan. Golden Wuish is a great addition to the city's dining scene and definitely worth checking out.
20. Hop Lee
Hop Lee is a bustling Chinese restaurant serving authentic Cantonese cuisine.
The menu offers a variety of dishes, including seafood, pork, and vegetables. The portions are generous and the flavors are bold and satisfying.
The staff is friendly and attentive, making for a pleasant dining experience. The restaurant is clean and well-maintained, creating a comfortable atmosphere.
Hop Lee is a great choice for anyone looking for delicious Chinese food in a lively setting.
21. Cafe China
Cafe China is a Sichuan restaurant with vintage decor. The traditional menu is complemented by wine and cocktails.
The food is spicy and authentic, with a good selection of dim sums. The service is quick and attentive.
The atmosphere is dimly lit, creating a nostalgic ambiance. The prices are reasonable for this part of the city.
Cafe China is a good place to try out for an authentic Chinese food experience.
