5 Noodles restaurants to try in Chinatown, NYC
5 Noodles restaurants to try in Chinatown, NYC
Manhattan would feel incomplete without its vibrant Chinatown. This lively and bustling area at the southern tip of the borough boasts the largest population of Chinese residents in the Western Hemisphere, along with numerous iconic dining spots. It serves as a thriving community rich in Chinese culture, traditions, and cuisine, standing firm against the pressures of gentrification and shifts in property ownership that often disadvantage long-time residents. Despite the changes and modernization taking place in Chinatown, many small, family-owned noodle shops—both new and those with a long history—continue to thrive.
Noodle town.
The Great New York Noodletown (chinese food)/Facebook
1 .Noodle town. Renowned food writer and former New York Times critic Ruth Reichl sang its praises in a 1994 review, highlighting its wok chi, which she described as “the elusive energy that comes from cooking food very fast at very high temperatures.” This lively eatery remains as vibrant, quick, and skillful as it was in the ’90s, serving up some of the finest Cantonese dishes in the city. Whether you’re a meat lover, vegetarian, pescatarian, a picky eater, or someone who enjoys trying new things, Great NY Noodletown has something for everyone, with noodles as the delightful centerpiece. Don’t miss the delicate wontons swimming in a rich, clear broth, the crispy pan-fried seafood noodles paired with yu choy and a light sauce, or the array of succulent barbecued meats displayed enticingly in the window.
Close-up of noodles© Wo Hop 17 Restaurant/Facebook
2. Just a stone’s throw away from Noodle Village is Wo Hop, a restaurant that gained quite a reputation after being honored as America’s Classics Winner by the James Beard Foundation in 2022. This basement eatery has been welcoming guests since 1938 and has always been bustling, especially in recent times. The menu at Wo Hop features a delightful mix of Chinese American dishes, showcasing the ingredients that were accessible in the U.S. during the early waves of immigration. You can savor steaming chow fun and lo mein alongside Hunan-style crispy sea bass and Sichuan-style string beans. Don’t miss out on the jajangmyeon — Korean-Chinese noodles smothered in a rich black bean sauce that’s thick and hearty. Wo Hop is also famous for its dumplings, which are made fresh every day, boiled, and then pan-fried to achieve a perfectly crispy golden exterior.
Meat and broth in bowl© Spicy Village/Facebook
3. At Spicy Village, you’ll find a variety of options, but the standout dish is undoubtedly the da pan ji, or “big tray chicken.” This impressive meal features a generous serving of hand-torn wheat noodles swimming in a spicy chili oil broth, topped with a hearty portion of bone-in chicken and fresh cilantro. The noodles are wonderfully chewy and absorb the rich, aromatic broth beautifully. The chicken is tender, with some parts having a delightful gristle that adds to the overall experience.
4.
Tripe noodles and vegetables in broth© Noodle Village 粥麵軒/Facebook
4. One such spot is Noodle Village, a cozy restaurant nestled on Mott Street, where you can enjoy a delightful mix of Cantonese noodles, xiao long bao, wonton soup, and congee. Many locals even claim that Noodle Village serves the finest wonton soup in all of Chinatown. There’s so much to enjoy at Noodle Village, making it a great idea to bring along some friends. This way, you can sample a range of dishes together. Be sure to start with the wonton soup, and you can choose your preferred style. The wontons are incredibly smooth and thin, perfectly complementing the rich broth they swim in. If you opt for the wonton noodle soup, you’ll find a nest of egg noodles that adds a delightful texture to the dish. Don’t miss out on the tasty Shanghai soup dumplings and the variety of warm, comforting congees available as well.
Rice noodles in tin© Chinatown Partnership Local Development Corporation (CPLDC)/Facebook
In the hidden corners of Manhattan’s Chinatown, you’ll find many unpretentious duck-down spots that often serve as the neighborhood’s best-kept secrets. One such gem is Yi Ji Shi Mo on Elizabeth Street, which specializes in steamed rice noodle rolls. This traditional Cantonese dish hails from Guangdong province and is commonly seen on dim sum carts around the globe. Known as cheung fun, these steamed rice rolls are crafted from a blend of rice flour and tapioca starch, and they can be filled with an assortment of vegetables and proteins.
