Beginner's Guide to Chinatown
Unlike most of the other tourist traps in New York, Chinatown is actually worth visiting. Out of towners usually stick to Canal Street and haggle over counterfeit purses and perfumes, but those in the know steer clear of that mob scene and head to the surrounding blocks to shop and feast on the unique brand of Chinese food that New York has become famous for. Chinatown is open late, and it's easy on the wallet. Best of all, it's one of the last neighborhoods in the city that hasn't been completely gentrified and overrun by "hipster" hordes living off of the monthly checks their parents send from the suburbs. Better enjoy the cheap dim sum and chow mein now before the ever-expanding Lower East Side creeps southward, leaving Mott Street covered in condos, indie bars, and American Apparel outlets.
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Pearl River Market
477 Broadway
New York, NY 10013
Although it's sort of removed from the traditional boundaries of Chinatown, Pearl River is the top spot to pick up Chinese ephemera. You won't find necessarily find … souvenir stand staples like samurai swords here; the aisles here are packed with cool clothing, housewares, and accessories that you can actually use. Make sure not to miss the tea lounge in their upstairs loft space. [link]
Aji Ichiban Munchies Paradise
37 Mott St
New York, NY 10013
At the American branches of this Hong Kong sweet shop, you can get your hands on Asian gummy candies and a great selection of dried fruit. They also feature more unusual … snacks like cuttlefish tentacles, lobster chips, and duck gizzards. Most of the stuff tastes much better than it sounds. If it wasn't for Munchies Paradise, I would never have discovered my weakness for dried rose petals. [link]
Vivi Bubble Tea
49 Bayard St
New York, NY 10013
Bubble tea is a Taiwanese treat filled with gummy tapioca balls that are a tasty, delightfully fun choking hazard. I prefer the inauthentic, Westernized icy slushes to … the original milky version, so I get mine at this anime-inspired cafĂ© that serves the best fruity bubble teas around. Make sure to grab their "VIP card" stamped with a Hello Kitty knockoff logo. You don't think you'll need the discounts, but when you wake up the day after your visit with an intense craving for passion fruit boba, you'll appreciate having the ability to earn freebies. [link]
Jing Fong
2nd Ave
Elizabeth, NJ
If you're looking to crash a Chinese wedding, Jing Fong is the place. This huge banquet hall is a neighborhood favorite for events and celebrations. It's also packed each … weekend with dim sum devotees. If you don't mind paying a bit of a premium and waiting through the crowded, auction style entry process, you can load up on an assortment of first rate dumplings and pastries. [link]
Nam Wah Tea Parlor
13 Doyers St
New York, NY 10013
Tucked away on a curvy side street at the base of the Bowery, Nam Wah features dingy decor, delicious dumplings, and prices so dirt cheap that they suggest ties to money … laundering. Look out for the rice balls, fried wontons, pork buns, and shumai as you peruse the endless steaming plates of dim sum excellence. (photo) [link]
Wo Hop
17 Mott St (basement), New York, NY 10013
Wo Hop is situated across the street from the arcade where they used to have the "World Famous Dancing & Tic Tac Toe Chicken." PETA ruined that, but nothing could … ever ruin Wo Hop. They are the single greatest example of greasy New York Chinese cuisine. Their fried dumplings are one of the finest food items I've ever had the pleasure of encountering on my plate. You'll also want to try the pineapple chicken, crispy duck, chow fun, and the many wonton soups. Wo Hop is open 24/7, the waitstaff is fun, and it's awesomely inexpensive, making it perfect for drunken dining experiences. [link]
