Sometimes it feels like there’s a Chinese restaurant on every block in New York, and in some neighborhoods that number’s a lot higher. Ranging from greasy spoon takeout to upscale establishments, there’s something for everybody. But what about the real authentic Chinese food? That might not be as prevalent, but if you can’t find something in New York, you can’t find it anywhere. And sure enough, there are plenty of great authentic Chinese spots throughout the five boroughs; here are just a few, based off an article that I found online, with a few of my personal favorites added in as well:
Nan Xiang Dumpling House: While Flushing is quite a trek for the solid majority of New Yorkers, it’s a necessary visit for anybody looking for authentic Chinese food. And one of the best places to start is Nan Xiang, where you can have a Shanghainese breakfast: long sticks of fried dough dipped in bowls of hot soy milk. Don’t forget to order some soup dumplings as well.
Fu Run: Located out in Flushing, Fu Run specializes in Chinese food from Dongbei, a region in the northeast of China, where the food is less aggressively seasoned and more often stewed and fried than other varieties of Chinese food. The crown jewel here is “Muslim Lamb Chops”, a rack of lamb ribs that are braised until fall-of-the-bone tender, then deep fried and covered in a rub made up of chili and cumin.
Lucky Eight: In an era that Brooklyn faces rapid gentrification, Lucky Eight is one of the spots that’s stubbornly resisting that trend with no-frills, cheap Cantonese classics. Some popular dishes here include the roast duck and pork, but if you’re looking for a more authentic experience try the chicken with bitter melon.
Grand Sichuan: Many Chinese who visit New York stay away from Chinese restaurants, but this is one that they love. Some standout dishes here include Chong Qing spicy chicken, dried sautéed green beans with minced pork and shredded duck with spring ginger.
Ah-Wah: This Chinatown spot, located off Catherine St, is an easy one to miss, but you don’t want to miss this one. The chefs behind the counter at Ah-Wah offer your standard Chinese food, but when you come here, you really want to order bo-zai fan, listed under the menu as “rice casserole”. Rice and all sorts of meat and vegetables are put into a clay pot, which is then heated up so that the rice on the edges is crispy. The perfect meal for the colder months, don’t forget to top it off with
Lan Sheng: Are you up for some spicy Sichuan-style food? Here’s where you have to go! Don’t go for the typical Chinese-American fare, and look for the more authentic items on the menu, such as seafood and “hot and spicy frog”. The lunch specials, which include pork bone soup, are popular here as well.
Golden Unicorn: The dim sum here, located in a corner of Manhattan’s Chinatown seldom visited, is some of the best in the neighborhood. That might sound like a bold statement in a neighborhood like Chinatown, but they live up to it.
Xi’an Famous Foods: From its humble beginnings as a market stall in a Flushing mall, thanks to a surprise visit by Anthony Bourdain, business for Xi’an has been booming, and they now have locations across Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. The food here is western Chinese, so it has some Middle Eastern influence; one example, and easily one of the best things to get on the menu, is the “spicy cumin lamb burger”.
Maria Haymandou 