Top 12 Iconic Chinese Restaurants in Chinatown, Manhattan (Updated 2022) — Sishu Mandarin Chinese Language School (2023)

Top 12 Iconic Chinese Restaurants in Chinatown, Manhattan (Updated 2022) — Sishu Mandarin Chinese Language School (1)

Why did we compile this list of Chinese restaurants?

There are a million reviews and rankings online for the best Chinese restaurants in Chinatown. Why bother making another one?

First, we think this list is more authentic because it's suggested and compiled by true local foodies, not food review editors.

Second, this restaurant list is recommended by real people. A student of ours, Stephanie, suggested that we make a list of the best restaurants in Chinatown, Manhattan. And we listened and did some research.

Here is a list of Chinese restaurants she says are the most worth visiting in Chinatown, New York. Let's find out if you agree with us or Stephaine.

1.Kong Sihk Tong (Jantar Hong Kong style)

Address:65 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013

Top 12 Iconic Chinese Restaurants in Chinatown, Manhattan (Updated 2022) — Sishu Mandarin Chinese Language School (2)

You won't want to miss this Hong Kong-style restaurant in Chinatown! Your staff were pleasant, attentive but not overwhelming, and the whole dining experience was enjoyable.

The front seats are a little tight, but there are additional seats in the back. Even though they are very busy and you will almost certainly have to put your name in a queue and wait for them to call you, the wait wasn't too long.

The starters also came quickly, but the main courses took a little longer, which may be why we chose a roast dish.

Overall, the price is reasonable, the food is excellent, the service is excellent, and you'll leave with a warm and satisfied stomach.

2.Nom Wah Tea Room

Address:13 Doyers St, Nova York, NY 10013

Nom Wah's initial store wasn't always about dim sum. In 1920, the original restaurant at 13-15 Doyers St. started out as a tea house and bakery. Located in the "Bloody Angle", as it was called. The name comes from the closed corner of the street, which was used by rival gangs.

Nom Wah Tea Parlor was primarily a bakery in the latter half of the 20th century. Serving dark food was a distant second. Mooncakes were the most popular item, with lines stretching to the door.

Even if you have a reservation and the weather is below freezing, the restaurant won't give you a seat until the whole group arrives due to its popularity. Once inside, the service is super fast and the food arrives in less than 5 minutes. You can place your order by scribbling on a piece of paper.

Some of the dim sum items on the menu include roasted pork buns, siu-mai, dumplings, soup dumplings, chicken feet, spare ribs, OG Original Egg Roll, Fried Dough Rice Roll, and O.G Original Egg Roll. You can't go wrong with any of these options. You can place multiple orders simply by ordering from a different menu. If you're seated at a small table, make sure you eat quickly to make room for other dishes.

The interior is like a movie scene. Seats outside the cabin feel cramped. They've also set up a few modest tables outside for dining, but don't expect elaborate structures or large heat lamps.

It's easy to order here. There is a QR code menu as well as a paper checklist with the menu items written in English so you can cross off exactly what you want. The dim sum selections look pretty conventional, and the menu also offers some food alternatives. Food is generally good and served hot and fresh. Turnip pie and any kind of shrimp wrapped in anything are usually my favorites.

Top 12 Iconic Chinese Restaurants in Chinatown, Manhattan (Updated 2022) — Sishu Mandarin Chinese Language School (3)

3.Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

Address:65 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013

What makes this ice cream so unique, you ask.

Almond Biscuit - This flavor is a true blessing from heaven. It is absolutely unique to the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory and we have never seen it anywhere else in all of our travels.

There are many interesting flavors to choose from and they specialize in Asian cuisine. The only downside we can think of is that the ice cream is a bit pricey. We're not sure how much it used to be, but they seem to have increased their costs in recent years.

This is a cash only establishment.

Top 12 Iconic Chinese Restaurants in Chinatown, Manhattan (Updated 2022) — Sishu Mandarin Chinese Language School (4)

4. Mei Li Wah (Padaria)

Address:64 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013

First Impressions: Same as every other bakery in Chinatown. Small, crowded and oozing with the aromas of freshly made treats. The bakery seems to have a small seating area, but it is closed and it seems that no one has been there for a long time, probably due to the epidemic.

No wonder this establishment is known for its barbecue buns. They are the perfect combination of sweet and salty, and the bread is always soft! On weekends, the queue is always very long, a reasonable mix of locals and tourists.

Lastly, we like to stop for some bagels when running errands in Chinatown. It is healthy, satisfying and quick to prepare. If you want to place a large order and ensure it arrives on time, you can pre-order. I would give it a ten out of ten!

Cash only. Well, it's not a surprise in Chinatown.

5. Rei Wu Wonton

Address:165 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002

There are many vegetarian dishes. And if there's something you want that they don't have on the menu, just ask. The best thing about Chinese restaurants is that they can be customized. As long as they have the ingredients and don't take a day to prepare, they usually adapt.

Take a bite of the tastiest wontons in town! Customers rave about the wontons. You just have to try them! Peking Duck is on sale for a limited time. Large quantities and reasonable prices!

6. Joe's Shanghai

Address:46 Bowery, New York, NY 10013

It started in Flushing in 1994 and opened a Chinatown location in Pell the following year. Although Shanghai restaurants have existed in Chinatown since at least the 1940s, these two establishments popularized the cuisine to the point where restaurants with similar menus sprang up across the city.

And what was the secret to Joe's Shanghai's success? It is often recognized for bringing xiao long bao, also known as soup dumplings, steamed buns or juicy buns, to New Yorkers. Originating in the early 19th century in Jiangsu province, northwest of Shanghai but perhaps earlier in Henan, these culinary wonders were often pork-filled sachets with a fold at the top and a hot broth inside, they required some dexterity and they made eating seem like a chore. rewarding game.

Joe's menu, like that of most early Shanghai restaurants, offers a variety of Sichuan, Cantonese and Chinese-American foods. Some items, like the Crispy Fried Chicken Noodles, look like a combination of Cantonese and Chinese-American food.

A crispy ring of pasta looked like a bird's nest beneath a chicken and mushroom stir-fry, a dish one would avoid at restaurants like Cheli's, which are more concerned with defining regional cuisine than pleasing every potential customer with familiar dishes. .

The crunchy noodles, which have almost turned to mush under the seafood, are the dish's most important element.

While Joe's Shanghai isn't the best restaurant in Chinatown (according to many Chinese), it is by far the most popular, and while Shanghainese food has an old-fashioned feel to it, it's generally excellent.

And we suggest going around 9 pm. when the place is still bustling in a relatively peaceful Chinatown.

Top 12 Iconic Chinese Restaurants in Chinatown, Manhattan (Updated 2022) — Sishu Mandarin Chinese Language School (5)

7. Mott Street Eatery (Cafeteria)

Address:98 Mott St, New York, NY 10013

If you walk by on a Sunday afternoon, you'll find this establishment fully booked (expected). It took 10-15 minutes for two people to be served. When your table is ready they assign you a number and call you. All servers were attentive and efficiently maneuvered in the crowded space. They provide you with a standard sheet that you can mark anything you like.

Chinatown's first food hall, Mott Street Eatery, has reopened at 98 Mott since November 2021.

8. Jin-Fong

Address:380 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10013

The legendary dim sum restaurant has reopened in Chinatown in a new, much smaller location.

The new restaurant isn't small, seating around 100, but it's a far cry from its former 800-seat home on Elizabeth Street. What was once a multi-sensory, possibly hour-long dining experience: arrive early or wait in Disney-sized lines; going up escalators; keeping an eye out for the dim sum carts in the living room is now mostly about the food.

Jing Fong is open from 10:30 a.m. m. at 9 p.m. m. daily.

Top 12 Iconic Chinese Restaurants in Chinatown, Manhattan (Updated 2022) — Sishu Mandarin Chinese Language School (6)

9. Wah Fung(Pick-up only, no delivery)

Address:79 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002

This place is extremely popular for lunch on weekdays! However, the staff are well organized and don't seem frustrated with the large number of customers, which is really nice. Service time: considering the movement of the store, it is very fast.

The creamy and delicious macaroni and cheese here is definitely worth the carbs. But look at today's container: there was a lot of room on top. In my opinion they could have filled more. Also, mushrooms are only half cooked. They need to cook the mushrooms longer; otherwise the flavor is off.

10. What a hope

Address:15 Mott St, New York, NY 10013

This location is legendary! On Christmas Day nothing else is open and a good Chinese meal is enough to heal a broken heart, so it's one of those restaurants where they would film a good scene from Sex and the City.

The food is hot and fresh, and it's LEGIT Chinese food. The quantity and prices are practically unbeatable. Walking down those stairs gets you in the mood for what's to come. It is, without a doubt, the best Chinese food you will ever taste.

The food is delicious and the service is excellent, especially considering how busy it is. But trust us when we say that when you walk in and see and smell what's going on around you, you'll smile.

11. Famous Xi'an Foods(Chinatown, East Chelsea and everywhere else in NYC)

Address:96 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

If you live in New York, you must have heard about Xi'an's famous foods. It is very rare to find a place loved by Americans and Chinese alike. Their food is fast, cheap and spicy. Perfect for New Yorkers.

You can find many styles here, besides noodles being your main dish. The food is fresh, hot and spicy, and the ordering process is quick. The noodles are freshly cut and there are four different levels of seasoning.

Spicy mutton noodles with hand-cut cumin The noodles are extremely thick! They were handmade! The noodles were wide and slightly doughy in texture. They were chewy and soft. The cumin chutney also included chili oil which added to the dry noodle experience. The lamb was succulent and plentiful.

12. Han Dynasty(Lower East Side, Upper West Side)

Address:90 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

This solid Chinese place down the street. Mark's was helpful as we had a group of four and were having trouble finding a place to eat dinner. I called here and the table was ready in 20 minutes!

For food, you can select entries categorized by cooking style (e.g. dry stew, garlic) and then select meat (fish, beef, etc.).

Good Chinese restaurant that is a little more Americanized, but everyone can enjoy!

Top 12 Iconic Chinese Restaurants in Chinatown, Manhattan (Updated 2022) — Sishu Mandarin Chinese Language School (7)

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FAQs

What is the oldest Chinese restaurant in the United States? ›

Pekin Noodle Parlor (built 1909) is the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the United States, located in Butte, Montana. The restaurant was founded in its current location in 1911 by Hum Yow and Tam Kwong Yee.

Is Chinatown in NYC worth visiting? ›

Is Chinatown in NYC worth visiting? Chinatown in NYC is worth a visit! It has some of the best and most affordable bars and restaurants in the city. The neighborhood is expansive, diverse, and bustling with people of different backgrounds and from all walks of life.

Which US city has most Chinese restaurants? ›

New York is, of course, the city with the most Chinese restaurants with over 1,100 in the sample. It is also the city with the highest concentration of Chinese restaurants i.e. city where Chinese food is most popular.

How many Chinese restaurants are in the US in 2022? ›

Chinese Restaurants in the US - Number of Businesses 2005–2028
YearValue
Feb 1, 202021,127
Feb 1, 202122,655
Feb 1, 202223,661
Feb 1, 202324,161
12 more rows
Feb 24, 2022

What is the oldest Chinese restaurant in the world? ›

Ma Yu Ching's Bucket Chicken House, or Ma Yuxing, (Chinese: 马豫兴桶子鸡; pinyin: Mǎ Yùxīng Tǒngzi Jī), is an historic restaurant in Kaifeng, Henan, China, said to be originally established in 1153, during the Jin dynasty (1115–1234).

Do you need cash for Chinatown NYC? ›

Chinatown is a tight, busy piece of real estate with one restaurant after another. But the most important thing you need to know here is to bring cash.

Is Chinatown NYC cash only? ›

Make sure to bring cash, as many bakeries, cafes, and restaurants in Chinatown are cash-only. A Chinatown mainstay, Joe's Shanghai has been a favorite stop of tourists and New Yorkers alike, with their legendary soup dumplings even becoming the prize for a friendly wager between two former mayors.

What is the most popular Chinatown? ›

San Francisco

San Francisco's Chinatown is a true cultural wonder of America. Not only is it the most expansive Chinatown outside of China, but it is also the oldest one in the United States. Fortune cookies were even invented here.

Where do rich Chinese live in US? ›

The Los Angeles County city of Monterey Park has the highest percentage of Chinese-Americans of any municipality, at 43.7% of its population, or 24,758 people.
...
Large-sized cities.
Rank1
CitySan Francisco
StateCalifornia
Chinese-Americans180,372
Percentage21.2
29 more columns

What is the most popular Chinese food in the US? ›

General Tso Chicken – According to Grubhub, this sweet fried chicken dish is the most popular Chinese food in America. It's also unhealthy, considering that it is deep-fried and the recipe demands tons of sugar.

What are the 3 most popular fast food restaurants in USA? ›

Ranking The Top 50 Fast-Food Chains in America
rankcompany2018 franchiselicense units
1McDonald's13,229
2Starbucks*6,332
3Subway*24,798
4Taco Bell6,126
46 more rows

How many times a day do Chinese eat? ›

Number of meals. Most Chinese people (94%) have three meals a day, while 5% have two meals a day. However, the situation varies from urban to rural area.

What is the difference between American Chinese food and authentic Chinese food? ›

American-Chinese food tends to take on sweeter, heavier tones (sweet and sour pork, anyone?) than traditional Chinese food, such as Pào mó (otherwise known as mutton stew), which opt for lighter, more savory flavors.

What is number 32 in Chinese food? ›

Chinese Numbers 1 to 100
NumberCharacterPinyin
32三十二sān shí èr
33三十三sān shí sān
34三十四sān shí sì
35三十五sān shí wǔ
75 more rows

What is the number one Chinese dish? ›

1. Peking Roasted Duck. Peking duck (北京烤鸭 Běijīng kǎoyā) is a famous dish from Beijing, enjoying world fame, and considered as one of China national dishes. Peking duck is savored for its thin and crispy skin.

What is the oldest still operating restaurant in the world? ›

Sobrino de Botín is a Spanish restaurant in Madrid, and the oldest restaurant in the world in continuous operation.

What is the oldest restaurant still running? ›

Stiftskeller St. Peter, Salzburg, Austria (803)

The world's oldest restaurant can still be found housed within its original structure in St. Peter's Abbey in Salzburg.

Why is Chinatown food so cheap? ›

The closeness of the wholesalers means the restaurants and retailers nearby don't have to invest in a lot of onsite storage at their locations, keeping their own costs low — so low that some shoppers falsely believe cheap Chinatown produce is poor quality.

How long should I spend in Chinatown NYC? ›

How Much Time To Spend Here. If you want to get a good feel for Chinatown, try some great food, do a little shopping and soak in the atmosphere, we recommend that you give yourself at least two hours. If you plan to eat at a sit-down restaurant add on an additional hour.

Where is the biggest Chinatown in New York? ›

The Flushing Chinatown houses over 30,000 individuals born in China alone, the largest Chinatown by this metric outside Asia and one of the largest and fastest-growing Chinatowns in the world.

What is the main street in Chinatown NYC? ›

Canal Street is the main thoroughfare of NY's Chinatown. Plenty of shopping and Asian markets. Definitely a great walk through a neighborhood with a rich history.

Do you need cash in NYC? ›

Credit cards are accepted everywhere. In New York (and in the rest of the US) people that use credit cards are more common than those that use cash. In many ways, it is comparable to using a debit card. If you don't have a credit card or you'd like to pay in dollars, you can request the free Revolut Debit Card here.

Is Chinatown NYC uptown or downtown? ›

One of the most famous is Chinatown, located in downtown Manhattan between the Lower East Side and Tribeca, and also a standard stop on any hop-on hop-off bus tour.

Who has the biggest Chinatown in us? ›

New York. Although there are several Chinatowns throughout New York City, the most famous one is in Manhattan. It hails as the largest Chinatown in the US, encompassing about 40 blocks and home to over 150,000 Chinese-speaking residents.

Where is the heart of Chinatown NYC? ›

Where is Chinatown located? Chinatown is located in the heart of Downtown Manhattan. It is a city within the city with its own unique charm and character. It is surrounded by Little Italy and the Lower East Side and should definitely be on your itinerary for NYC!

Which city do most Chinese celebrities live? ›

But even billionaires and celebrities aren't safe from its extreme lockdown. It's known as a city that never sleeps and where Chinese elites reside.

How much does it cost to live in China per month? ›

A Breakdown of the Average Cost of Living in China:
ExpensesCost (USD)Estimated Monthly Cost (USD)
Rent$200 ~ $700$200 ~ $700
Food$2~$5 per meal$100 ~ $150
Transportation$,0.3~$0.5 each way (bus)$30 ~ $50
UtilitiesElectricity, water, gas, telephone, wi-fi$50 ~ $100
1 more row

What is China's most popular meat? ›

In China, pork has long been the most popular meat protein, largely due to its versatility and price advantage.

What is the number 1 most popular food in the world? ›

Pizza is the topmost liked food in the world. Today you can find pizza in almost every corner of the world. This traditional Italian dish is made of flattened round dough topped with cheese, and tomatoes, and additionally garnished with basil, olives, and oregano.

What is the number 1 popular food? ›

The Number 1 Most Popular Foods in America are Hamburgers! What is this?

What are the four main Chinese dishes? ›

First up are those termed the Four Major Cuisines: Lu cuisine from Shandong province; Chuan cuisine from Sichuan; Yue cuisine from Guangdong; and Su cuisine from Jiangsu.

What is China's most popular snack? ›

According to a survey among Chinese consumers in October 2021, crispy snacks such as potato chips and pastries were the most popular snacks, with 71.8 percent of respondents respectively saying that they bought them in the past year.

What is the best thing to order for Chinese takeout? ›

Popular Chinese Food
  • Chow Mein.
  • Hot Pot.
  • Dumplings.
  • Kung Pao Chicken.
  • Ma Po Tofu.
  • Peking duck.
  • Wonton Soup.
  • Scallion Pancakes.
Apr 10, 2022

What are the 3 most popular restaurants? ›

Top 250: The Ranking
RankChain
1McDonald's
2Starbucks
3Chick-fil-A
4Taco Bell
46 more rows

What is the number 1 rated restaurant in the US? ›

The French Laundry in Yountville, California, made its debut in this year's awards as the #1 Fine Dining Restaurant in the U.S. With over 1,100 “excellent” Tripadvisor reviews, this 20-year-old French restaurant is called “bucket list” or “life changing” by diners who visit.

What is the most loved restaurant in the US? ›

These are the 50 restaurants we love most in 2022.
  • Abacá San Francisco.
  • Anajak Thai. Los Angeles.
  • Andiario. West Chester, Pa.
  • Apteka. Pittsburgh.
  • Audrey. Nashville.
  • Bacanora. Phoenix.
  • Bacoa Finca + Fogón. Juncos, P.R.
  • Bonnie's. New York City.
Sep 19, 2022

Is slurping noodles rude in China? ›

Slurping your noodles loudly is considered a compliment to the chef throughout Japan and China – a sign of deep appreciation for your one-bowl meal. In South Korea and Singapore, however, not so much. There, you might get unappreciative glances – the kind you get when you talk too loudly in a quiet train carriage.

Do Chinese eat a lot of meat? ›

By 2017, China consumed 7.94 million tonnes of the red meat, more than any other country in the world, but much lower per person than the global average.

What is a Chinese American called? ›

Chinese Americans are Americans of Han Chinese ancestry. Chinese Americans constitute a subgroup of East Asian Americans which also constitute a subgroup of Asian Americans.

How can I tell if my Chinese food is rat? ›

With her help, we hereby offer you five ways to know you're eating rat.
  1. It smells like rat. Rats secrete an oil onto their skin that gives them their distinct "rodenty" odor. ...
  2. It tastes like rat. ...
  3. It tastes delicious when brushed with a moonshine glaze and barbecued. ...
  4. It looks like lamb. ...
  5. You're in Asia.
May 3, 2013

Do Chinese eat broccoli? ›

Chicken or Beef Broccoli Stir Fry: Broccoli isn't native to China and not generally eaten.

What is the oldest restaurant still open in the United States? ›

The White Horse Tavern is a National Historic Landmark being America's oldest restaurant, having served guests since 1673. The White Horse Tavern was originally constructed as a two-story, two-room residence for Francis Brinley.

Where is the oldest restaurant in the United States? ›

White Horse Tavern, Newport, RI

Serving guests since 1673, it is the oldest operating restaurant in the USA (and among the top 10 oldest in the world) and offers a journey back to colonial Newport in its 17th-century architecture, complete with clapboard walls, beams and huge fireplaces.

What is the oldest restaurant chain in the United States? ›

A&W (1919)

That's right—the root beer kings founded the first-ever chain restaurant in America. By the 1970s, A&W even had more locations open than McDonald's.

Where is the oldest Chinese restaurant in the country? ›

The oldest continuously operated Chinese restaurant in America is not in San Francisco or New York, but in Butte, Montana, where 47-year-old Jerry Tam, the great-great-grandson of the original owner, presides over the Pekin Noodle Parlor.

What's the oldest restaurant in NYC? ›

Fraunces Tavern (1762)

The oldest of them all, Fraunces Tavern, dates back to 1762 and is recognized as the oldest restaurant in the city.

What is the oldest restaurant still around? ›

Union Oyster House

You'll find the oldest buildings in America where the first European immigrants settled, and Boston is one of the oldest cities in America, founded in 1630 by the puritans. The Union Oyster House is inside a building that was built less than a century after Boston's founding in 1717.

What is the oldest black owned restaurant? ›

Jones Bar-B-Q Diner is a barbecue joint in Marianna, Arkansas, US, that has been open since at least the 1910s. According to business guide Black Business, it is believed to be the country's oldest black-owned restaurant. In 2012 it was recognized by the James Beard Foundation as an "American Classic".

What is the oldest family owned restaurant? ›

The Old Talbott Tavern has been in operation since 1779—that's before the Civil War—and pioneers, soldiers, and criminals alike have stayed under its roof or dined on its Southern staples. Established in 1840, this New Orleans staple is reported to be the oldest family-run restaurant in the country.

What is the oldest restaurant name? ›

Meanwhile, Restaurante Botín in Madrid, Spain, has probably been through a few leases. Founded in 1725, it's recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest restaurant in the world.

Who is the oldest pizza chain? ›

Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba is a pizzeria in Naples, Italy, which is widely believed to be the world's first pizzeria.

How much did a McDonald's hamburger cost in 1948? ›

In 1948, you could get a McDonald's burger for just 15 cents.

Which is older Burger King or Mcdonalds? ›

McDonald's and Burger King started in the franchise food business in 1955 and 1954, respectively. 12 McDonald's has always been the larger company, but each firm has unquestionably influenced the other throughout their six-decade-plus rivalry.

What is the oldest Chinatown in the world? ›

Binondo, Manila's Chinatown, is the oldest of its kind in the world. More than 400 years since it was established, the district still continues to thrive. Derived from the Filipino word binundok (“mountainous”), Binondo was established in 1594 as a permanent settlement for Chinese-Catholic immigrants.

What is China's oldest food? ›

Noodles are one of the oldest traditional Chinese foods. Chinese people have started eating noodles about 4,000 years ago. At first, noodles was small dough sheet. Later, in the Jin Dynasty (265 - 420 AD), thin noodles like strips appeared.

What is the biggest Chinese food chain? ›

Asian restaurant chains with the highest systemwide sales in the U.S. 2021. P.F. Chang's accounted for approximately 922 million U.S. dollars in annual sales in the United States in 2021, making it the leading Asian restaurant chain in the U.S. in terms of systemwide sales.

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