Chinese

Note: Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order and not in order of preference.

  • Chelsea Dim Sum – Unassuming Chinese restaurant serving traditional hot and cold dishes, dim sum, and lunch specials
    • Location: Chelsea
    • Atmosphere: Casual, a locals spot
    • Suggestions: Pork soup dumplings, wonton in spicy sauce, cold spicy sesame noodle, Shanxi Biangbiang noodle, chicken with broccoli
    • Reservations: Not required; take out / delivery menu is expansive and quick, you order directly through the restaurant
    • A Good Place For: A quick meal, take out
    • Note: My roommate and I used to order takeout here every Sunday night. We never had a bad dish. All the food is great and reasonably priced

  • Chinese Tuxedo – Two-story spot in a former opera house, offering contemporary Chinese dishes and stylish touches
    • Location: Chinatown
    • Atmosphere: Loud music, trendy, spacious, club vibes, family style dining
    • Suggestions: Strange flavor burrata, crispy eggplant
    • Reservations: Required
    • A Good Place For: Large groups, celebrations, party dinner
    • Note: The food here is good, but it’s not the best Chinese you’ll have. You’re coming here for the vibes, and they are worth it. After dinner, check out the speakeasy below the restaurant, Peachy’s

  • MáLà Project – MáLà Project is a Chinese restaurant founded by four friends with a mission to deliver joy through the flavors of Sichuan cuisine. They specialize in dry pot
    • Location: East Village, Midtown, Midtown East, Greenpoint
    • Atmosphere: Casual, not assuming
    • Suggestions: Dry pot, Dan Dan noodles, rainbow liang pi noodles, spicy popcorn chicken
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with friends, adventurous eating, a meal where everyone shares

  • MR CHOW – Upscale Chinese restaurant known for its combination of old authentic Beijing & original recipes
    • Location: Tribeca, Midtown East
    • Atmosphere: Upscale, corporate
    • Suggestions: Beijing duck, chicken satay
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: A corporate dinner, a big group dinner
    • Note: I found Mr. Chow to be overpriced for the quality of the food. The food was good but not worth the price

  • RedFarm – Modern Chinese restaurant serving dim sum, Peking duck, cocktails and more
    • Location: West Village, Upper West Side
    • Atmosphere: Farmhouse, rustic; note that seating at the West Village location is “family style,” meaning there are two large tables, so you will be sitting next to and near strangers
    • Suggestions: Chicken salad, Kowloon filet mignon tarts, five flavor chicken dumplings
    • Reservations: Suggested; can be made through their website or by calling them
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with friends, small group dinner (1-4 people)

  • Tao – Pan-Asian eatery is known for a huge Quan Yin centerpiece and a trendy crowd
    • Location: Chelsea, Midtown East
    • Atmosphere: Trendy, extravagant, high-end
    • Suggestions: Shishito peppers, chicken satay
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: Group dinners, corporate dinner, a celebration