This guide is not a comprehensive list of all restaurants in the area, and I encourage all to use this guide as a starting point to what can be a great adventure in one of New York's best neighborhoods.
For the local or traveler searching for a quality meal or a quick snack, stick to the area in and around Mott St. and Bayard St. Although one might find less expensive food on East Broadway and the outskirts of Chinatown, the highest quality food (and overall Chinatown experience) will be found on and around the bustling intersection of Mott and Bayard. Of course, one of the most rewarding experiences one can have in Chinatown is to venture out and find the gem amongst the less inviting places.
New Green Bo
Great food, nicely priced. As the place has become very popular over the years, get there early as the wait can be long.
66 Bayard St
New York, NY 10013-4940
(212) 625-2359
Cross Street: Between Elizabeth Street and Mott Street
Directions: 6; N, R at Canal St
Jing Fong
A massive banquet hall for dim sum, a la Empress Pavillion in LA. Get there around 11am and you'll beat the line. Be prepared to eat. A lot. The prices are amazingly inexpensive. Brunch for two will run under $20.
20 Elizabeth St
New York, NY 10013-4802
(212) 964-5256
Cross Street: Canal Street
Directions: J, M, Z; N, R; 6 at Canal St
Shanghai Garden Dim Sum
Located next to Jing Fong, this restaurant serves dim sum all day and night. I recently took friends there for a light dinner. Total price: $18 for three orders of steamed dumplings and drinks. The food is comparable to Jing Fong, although the selection is obviously not as wide.
14A Elizabeth St
New York, NY 10013
(212) 964-5640
Dim Sum Go-Go
A boutique-y gourmet dim sum restaurant. A little more expensive than traditional dim sum (and smaller portions), Dim Sum Go Go packs amazing and unconventional combinations of ingredients into small, delicate dumplings.
5 E Broadway
New York, NY 10038
(212) 732-0796
Cross Street: Chatham Square
Directions: J, M, Z at Chambers St
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
This is a must-go. Nowhere else in the city will you find such original flavors of ice cream in such a fresh blend of light texture and consistency. Conveniently located across the street from New Green Bo and nearby the busy intersection of Bayard and Mott.
65 Bayard St
New York, NY 10013-4931
(212) 608-4170
Cross Street: Between Elizabeth Street and Mott Street
Directions: 6; N, R at Canal St
Pho Na Trang
More and more Vietnamese restaurants are opening in downtown; this is still the best in NY. Inexpensive, great menu, and a clean dining room make Pho Na Trang stand out from other places in the area. Also, the food is very good!
87 Baxter St
New York, NY 10013-4463
(212) 233-5948
Cross Street: Between Walker Street and White Street
Directions: J, M, Z; N, R; 6 at Canal St
Tai Pan Bakery
The experience can be overwhelming if one is not accustomed to the swarms of customers buzzing around. Fight your way through the mob and you will be rewarded with Chinatown's most famous pastries. Great prices and quality make this bakery a standout.
194 Canal St
New York, NY 10013-4516
(212) 732-2222
Friday, March 14, 2008
Junior's
The perennial favorite of the transplanted Borscht Belt crowd, Junior's offers a great meal that would make your bubbie tsufridn.
Wall-to-wall brown vinyl booths and glass display cases are punctuated by the bustling of waitresses, bus boys and clattering of glasses and cutlery. The menu offers the popular and familiar. Sandwiches are piled mile-high with corned beef, pastrami, or any of the other meats one would expect to be bookended by two pieces of rye bread slathered with deli mustard. The generous portions of matzo brei beam with a familiar glow and taste great with a sprinkling of sugar.
This past visit, I ordered a Monte Cristo with a knish and kugel. The prices at Junior's are a bit steep, but most entrees are large enough to split between two people.
The Monte Cristo is a deep-fried chalah bread triple decker sandwich filled with ham, turkey and swiss cheese. Junior's version is well-cooked and served with a side of powdered sugar and fruit jelly. No Monte Crisco can be complete without maple syrup, so I had to wait awhile longer for the waitress to bring some to the table. While waiting for the syrup, I dove into our knish and kugel. As a transplanted New Yorker, I have grown to expect the quality of knish to equal that of a Yonah Schimmel. To my surprise, Junior's knish tasted as close to the Lower East Side treasure as a frozen, pre-packaged knish could be. With a bit of mustard, it was great.
Here's an indicator of how good the kugel tasted. When I ordered the kugel, the waitress paused from scribbling down on her pad. Taking a step back and looking lost in thought, she sighed and said "Ah... the kugel." She flashed a smile, jotted down the rest of the order and floated off to another table. When the noodle kugel arrived, the plate was almost as warm as the waiter who delivered the dish. One bite revealed a sweet, complex taste not usually associated with kugel. Creamy, sweet noodles slightly seasoned with cinnamon were firm but light-tasting. A layer of raisins lined the bottom of the kugel; raisins are traditionally mixed into the kugel. This simple variation is a magnificent improvement and brought out the flavor of the noodles.
Despite the high prices (sandwiches can cost upto $15) and spotty service, Junior's is a great place to feed your need for Jewish Deli nostalgia. Order the kugel; it'll make your mama happy.
Junior's (2379 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 ) is located on the corner of Pico and Westwood by the Westside Pavillion. Valet parking is available at the restaurant.
Wall-to-wall brown vinyl booths and glass display cases are punctuated by the bustling of waitresses, bus boys and clattering of glasses and cutlery. The menu offers the popular and familiar. Sandwiches are piled mile-high with corned beef, pastrami, or any of the other meats one would expect to be bookended by two pieces of rye bread slathered with deli mustard. The generous portions of matzo brei beam with a familiar glow and taste great with a sprinkling of sugar.
This past visit, I ordered a Monte Cristo with a knish and kugel. The prices at Junior's are a bit steep, but most entrees are large enough to split between two people.
The Monte Cristo is a deep-fried chalah bread triple decker sandwich filled with ham, turkey and swiss cheese. Junior's version is well-cooked and served with a side of powdered sugar and fruit jelly. No Monte Crisco can be complete without maple syrup, so I had to wait awhile longer for the waitress to bring some to the table. While waiting for the syrup, I dove into our knish and kugel. As a transplanted New Yorker, I have grown to expect the quality of knish to equal that of a Yonah Schimmel. To my surprise, Junior's knish tasted as close to the Lower East Side treasure as a frozen, pre-packaged knish could be. With a bit of mustard, it was great.
Here's an indicator of how good the kugel tasted. When I ordered the kugel, the waitress paused from scribbling down on her pad. Taking a step back and looking lost in thought, she sighed and said "Ah... the kugel." She flashed a smile, jotted down the rest of the order and floated off to another table. When the noodle kugel arrived, the plate was almost as warm as the waiter who delivered the dish. One bite revealed a sweet, complex taste not usually associated with kugel. Creamy, sweet noodles slightly seasoned with cinnamon were firm but light-tasting. A layer of raisins lined the bottom of the kugel; raisins are traditionally mixed into the kugel. This simple variation is a magnificent improvement and brought out the flavor of the noodles.
Despite the high prices (sandwiches can cost upto $15) and spotty service, Junior's is a great place to feed your need for Jewish Deli nostalgia. Order the kugel; it'll make your mama happy.
Junior's (2379 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 ) is located on the corner of Pico and Westwood by the Westside Pavillion. Valet parking is available at the restaurant.
Sakagura
Translated into English as "Sake Storage", Sakagura is located in the basement of a building (which it shares with numerous foreign embassies) in Midtown Manhattan. Meticulously decorated, Sakagura is a pleasurable, unique dining experience even before the first glance of the menu.
The food is of the highest calibur; one will not leave the restaurant disappointed. A safe bet is to order multiple small dishes; Hirame Carpaccio, Nasu Dengaku, and Sanma Onigiri are among some of the many wonderful selections.
As the name suggests, Sakagura prides itself on a fine selection of sake. Although it might be a daunting task to make a selection based upon the tome-like listings (grouped by Japanese region), the sake sommelier will guide you in the right direction.
Dessert is a highlight and should not be missed. The prix fixe dessert is the best bet. This includes Black Sesame Creme Brulee, Green Tea Truffles, homemade sorbet and more. Order a dessert sake to accompany (ask the sommelier for assistance) to round out the meal.
It is not often I have such strong feelings for a restaurant, but Sakagura is one of the few places I have been going to for a few years and have not grown tired of. With every visit, I appreciate this restaurant more and more... and that's not the sake talking.
Sakagura
211 East 43rd Street, B1
New York, NY 10017
(Between 2nd & 3rd Avenue)
The food is of the highest calibur; one will not leave the restaurant disappointed. A safe bet is to order multiple small dishes; Hirame Carpaccio, Nasu Dengaku, and Sanma Onigiri are among some of the many wonderful selections.
As the name suggests, Sakagura prides itself on a fine selection of sake. Although it might be a daunting task to make a selection based upon the tome-like listings (grouped by Japanese region), the sake sommelier will guide you in the right direction.
Dessert is a highlight and should not be missed. The prix fixe dessert is the best bet. This includes Black Sesame Creme Brulee, Green Tea Truffles, homemade sorbet and more. Order a dessert sake to accompany (ask the sommelier for assistance) to round out the meal.
It is not often I have such strong feelings for a restaurant, but Sakagura is one of the few places I have been going to for a few years and have not grown tired of. With every visit, I appreciate this restaurant more and more... and that's not the sake talking.
Sakagura
211 East 43rd Street, B1
New York, NY 10017
(Between 2nd & 3rd Avenue)
Yanusa Sushi
Deep in the heart of Koreatown lives one of LA's most ideal udon stands. Located inside the Hannam Chain Super Market on Olympic by Vermont, Yanusa is a no-nonsense, diamond-in-the-rough Japanese/Korean-style restaurant.
Although many Westerners might find the concept strange, supermarket restaurants are not uncommon in Asian culture. Noodle shops are standard fair in marketplaces; in Japan, one can even get a nice bowl of udon at a gas station.
Yanusa's menu is straight-forward. Standard-grade sushi, rolls, udon and oden. Don't bother with the sushi and rolls; you're here for soup. Look around at the other tables and you'll see you're not alone.
The menu items are numbered to make ordering quick and efficient, a hallmark of Korean food service. The oden (#11) is good, but go with udon as most of the udon bowls include a fish cake or two. The baked mussels (#12) are an interesting mix of seafood and a mayonnaise-like sauce. When the weather is unbearably hot, I pass on udon and go with the Fish Rice (#13), another favorite of the regulars.
As you wait the few short moments for your order to arrive, snack on an endless supply of kimchi and oshinko. When the bowls of hot udon do arrive, take a second to breathe in the smell of the beefy broth seasoned with a generous helping of green onions. Sprinkle in some red pepper and then dive in. Once you have eaten the firm, precisely-cooked udon, lapped up the last drop of broth, and patted yourself on the stomach, acknowledging that you have just finished up a surprisingly good meal, take a look around you and realize that you have just had one your most enjoyable dining experiences in recent memory inside of a supermarket in Koreatown.
Yanusa Sushi is located in the Hannam Chain Super Market by Vermont @ 2740 W. Olympic Blvd, LA, CA 90006
Although many Westerners might find the concept strange, supermarket restaurants are not uncommon in Asian culture. Noodle shops are standard fair in marketplaces; in Japan, one can even get a nice bowl of udon at a gas station.
Yanusa's menu is straight-forward. Standard-grade sushi, rolls, udon and oden. Don't bother with the sushi and rolls; you're here for soup. Look around at the other tables and you'll see you're not alone.
The menu items are numbered to make ordering quick and efficient, a hallmark of Korean food service. The oden (#11) is good, but go with udon as most of the udon bowls include a fish cake or two. The baked mussels (#12) are an interesting mix of seafood and a mayonnaise-like sauce. When the weather is unbearably hot, I pass on udon and go with the Fish Rice (#13), another favorite of the regulars.
As you wait the few short moments for your order to arrive, snack on an endless supply of kimchi and oshinko. When the bowls of hot udon do arrive, take a second to breathe in the smell of the beefy broth seasoned with a generous helping of green onions. Sprinkle in some red pepper and then dive in. Once you have eaten the firm, precisely-cooked udon, lapped up the last drop of broth, and patted yourself on the stomach, acknowledging that you have just finished up a surprisingly good meal, take a look around you and realize that you have just had one your most enjoyable dining experiences in recent memory inside of a supermarket in Koreatown.
Yanusa Sushi is located in the Hannam Chain Super Market by Vermont @ 2740 W. Olympic Blvd, LA, CA 90006
Guide to 32nd Street (Koreatown, NYC)
32nd Street between 5th Ave and Broadway, more commonly known as Koreatown, can be an overwhelming experience for the uninitiated. Upon first glance, 32nd Street appears to be a densely-packed boulevard of indecipherable neon signs and indistinguishable BBQ restaurants.
Amidst the chaotic swarm of tourists, korean businessmen and incredibly well-coifed teens (all with the latest and greatest cell phones glued to their ears) are some quiet eateries where one can escape the madness and eat an inexpensive, hearty meal. these are the places to avoid. also try to avoid places where one can find rows of doe-eyed, blond white folks who talk loudly of broadway shows and horse-drawn carriage rides in central park. i have nothing against out-of-towners (and/or doe-eyed blond white folks), but a general rule of thumb is to pass on any restaurant that can be found in a Tourist Guide. Of course, one or two of the following restaurants might be listed in Tourist Guides. Such is the folly of the NY restaurant scene: Unknown, loyal following, Zagat, overcrowded, shut down by health inspectors. Moving on...
Kang Suh
It's late. You were at the bar and after ten rounds of drinks, you got a craving for food. In NY, one can walk 2 blocks in any direction and stumble into a Greek diner. Sure, criss-cut fries and a cup of coffee might sate your hunger, but tonight, you need something... different. Hop in a cab and go straight to Kang Suh (1250 B'way @ 32nd St (212) 564-6845). During the day, the restaurant is packed wall-to-wall with the lunchtime crowd; a sea of suits and ties. The food is good and dependable, not unlike the service (who can also seem a bit gruff; this is normal). At night, Kang Suh is littered with tired bar and club-goers, all seeking out some quality comfort food. Although you won't be able to cook your own bbq during the late shift, the chef-cooked bulgogi is a safe bet.
Kunjip
Kunjip 9 West 32nd St. (212) 216-9487 offers great lunch deals for under $10. The Bibimbap is the best on 32rd St, and is a solid lunch choice. Most importantly, the Kimchi is plentiful and amazing. Great service and very attentive considering the restaurant is always packed.
Won Jo
The uneasy look of skepticism. The non-committal answers. Is it the fear of the unknown or a bad past experience? It is your job to care for a first-timer. Ease into it; assure that "it will all be ok." To make the first time a wonderful, memorable experience, slide into Won Jo 23 W 32nd St (212) 695-5815. Order a few rounds of beer while waiting for the grill to get hot. The beef here is top-notch, and Yang Gui (a personal favorite) is on the menu.
Gam Mee Ok
It happens. You've gorged yourself on Korean BBQ for five days straight and you need a break. Look no further than Gam Mee Ok 43 W. 32nd St (212) 695-4113. The oxtail soup is really, really good. In fact, all of the soups are amazing. Gam Mee Ok offers light dining in a cozy environment. Order some tea and soak up the atmosphere before your meal arrives (the service can be slow).
Koryod@ng Bakery 31
W 32nd St (212) 967-9661 offers a large assortment of top-quality breads and pastries. The decor is very hotel lobby-chic, which is no surprise considering the neighborhood and clientele. For a more intimate setting, stop into Cafe Muse, next door to Gam Mee Ok. Although the baked goods are not as tasty and fresh as Koryod@ng, you won't feel as though you're waiting for the next shuttle bus to JFK. Personally, my first pick is Koryod@ng, but then again, I wouldn't mind boarding the next shuttle bus to JFK.
The Mandoo Bar
2 W. 32nd St. (212) 279-3075 is a fantastic dumpling restaurant. Skip Chinatown and go here for light, succulent dumplings that literally melt in your mouth. As you can see in the photo above, the dumplings are made on premises and are fresh.
Woorijip
Roughly translated as "Our House," Woorijip 12 W
32nd St is a Korean-style convenience store with a great buffet and hot and cold packaged food. If you're on a tight budget but want some quality food, go for the Chap Chae. At around three dollars, it can't be beat. Woorijip is open 24-hours and is perfect for a quick early-morning food fix.
Amidst the chaotic swarm of tourists, korean businessmen and incredibly well-coifed teens (all with the latest and greatest cell phones glued to their ears) are some quiet eateries where one can escape the madness and eat an inexpensive, hearty meal. these are the places to avoid. also try to avoid places where one can find rows of doe-eyed, blond white folks who talk loudly of broadway shows and horse-drawn carriage rides in central park. i have nothing against out-of-towners (and/or doe-eyed blond white folks), but a general rule of thumb is to pass on any restaurant that can be found in a Tourist Guide. Of course, one or two of the following restaurants might be listed in Tourist Guides. Such is the folly of the NY restaurant scene: Unknown, loyal following, Zagat, overcrowded, shut down by health inspectors. Moving on...
Kang Suh
It's late. You were at the bar and after ten rounds of drinks, you got a craving for food. In NY, one can walk 2 blocks in any direction and stumble into a Greek diner. Sure, criss-cut fries and a cup of coffee might sate your hunger, but tonight, you need something... different. Hop in a cab and go straight to Kang Suh (1250 B'way @ 32nd St (212) 564-6845). During the day, the restaurant is packed wall-to-wall with the lunchtime crowd; a sea of suits and ties. The food is good and dependable, not unlike the service (who can also seem a bit gruff; this is normal). At night, Kang Suh is littered with tired bar and club-goers, all seeking out some quality comfort food. Although you won't be able to cook your own bbq during the late shift, the chef-cooked bulgogi is a safe bet.
Kunjip
Kunjip 9 West 32nd St. (212) 216-9487 offers great lunch deals for under $10. The Bibimbap is the best on 32rd St, and is a solid lunch choice. Most importantly, the Kimchi is plentiful and amazing. Great service and very attentive considering the restaurant is always packed.
Won Jo
The uneasy look of skepticism. The non-committal answers. Is it the fear of the unknown or a bad past experience? It is your job to care for a first-timer. Ease into it; assure that "it will all be ok." To make the first time a wonderful, memorable experience, slide into Won Jo 23 W 32nd St (212) 695-5815. Order a few rounds of beer while waiting for the grill to get hot. The beef here is top-notch, and Yang Gui (a personal favorite) is on the menu.
Gam Mee Ok
It happens. You've gorged yourself on Korean BBQ for five days straight and you need a break. Look no further than Gam Mee Ok 43 W. 32nd St (212) 695-4113. The oxtail soup is really, really good. In fact, all of the soups are amazing. Gam Mee Ok offers light dining in a cozy environment. Order some tea and soak up the atmosphere before your meal arrives (the service can be slow).
Koryod@ng Bakery 31
W 32nd St (212) 967-9661 offers a large assortment of top-quality breads and pastries. The decor is very hotel lobby-chic, which is no surprise considering the neighborhood and clientele. For a more intimate setting, stop into Cafe Muse, next door to Gam Mee Ok. Although the baked goods are not as tasty and fresh as Koryod@ng, you won't feel as though you're waiting for the next shuttle bus to JFK. Personally, my first pick is Koryod@ng, but then again, I wouldn't mind boarding the next shuttle bus to JFK.
The Mandoo Bar
2 W. 32nd St. (212) 279-3075 is a fantastic dumpling restaurant. Skip Chinatown and go here for light, succulent dumplings that literally melt in your mouth. As you can see in the photo above, the dumplings are made on premises and are fresh.
Woorijip
Roughly translated as "Our House," Woorijip 12 W
32nd St is a Korean-style convenience store with a great buffet and hot and cold packaged food. If you're on a tight budget but want some quality food, go for the Chap Chae. At around three dollars, it can't be beat. Woorijip is open 24-hours and is perfect for a quick early-morning food fix.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
