I live only a five-minute walk from Chinatown, so over the past year I’ve slowly started to form a list of my favorite spots. Some have become regulars, while others are places I’ve only recently discovered and already know I’ll be returning to. A friend and I recently did a mini Chinatown food crawl, where we popped into some of the shops I’ve walked past every day.
Over the summer, I discovered a spot I can’t seem to get off my mind- a tiny Chinese restaurant in the basement of a semi-abandoned mall, under a bridge. I vividly remember telling my friend that I’d never return on my own and that we had to have gotten lost, as the location on Google Maps seemed to be inaccurate. However, this was only until I tried their steamed pork buns, at which I immediately took my statement back. Six for $5.50. Fu Zhou Wei Zhong Wei Jia Xiang Feng Wei is cash only, and after paying at the register, you’re immediately handed a hot takeout container with fresh buns while watching a group of women standing behind the counter, make them directly in front of you. I’ve since returned a number of times, and will continue to do so.
Bodhi Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant is much more familiar to me. I’ve been going regularly for a year now, and only for their Chicken Chow Fun. Their portions are more than generous- easily enough to last me two dinners, and all for a great price. If you get their weekday lunch deal, you might have to get airlifted out. In addition to your entree, you’ll get a few appetizers for an even lower price. It’s easily one of the most delicious and satisfying meals you’ll find in Chinatown.
Lastly is Shu Jiao Fu Zhou, the most well-known of the three. I go specifically for their $3.50 peanut butter noodles, despite its portion and taste being worth much more. Although this is yet another cash-only spot, the restaurant does have an ATM outside because yes, this place will make you desperate for their noodles. The long line outside their door may seem frightening, but moves quickly and efficiently. If you ever find yourself in Lower Manhattan on a time crunch and with only a $5 bill, Shu Jiao Fu Zhou is the place to go.
While I wholeheartedly agree that part of the NYC experience is dining at gorgeous restaurants with reservations you made weeks ago, living so close to Chinatown has made me realize that there are many other great ways to experience delicious food in the city. Some of the best (and most affordable) meals you’ll have in NYC won’t necessarily be at Joe’s Pizza or Leon’s Bagels, but might actually be in a tiny restaurant tucked into a basement, or a little shop you walk past daily. I believe that’s one of the biggest reasons for Chinatown’s charm: no matter where you go, you know you’ll find food you’ll think about for the rest of your life.
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