I've always had a soft spot for Chinatown in New York City - and in fact, I spent my first year in NYC in a tiny 6 floor walkup in the heart of Chinatown. I'll never forget rolling my mattress down those 6 flights alone when I moved out. Today with the Lunar New Year upon us, I wanted to go back to my early New York days with a fun day trip (from Brooklyn!) to Chinatown. We've gotten super into dumplings over the past few years and eat frozen Vanessa's Dumplings for lunch more days per week than I'd care to admit. But is Vanessa's actually the best dumpling place NYC has to offer? Let's find out on this free walking food tour around Chinatown.
We're going on this day trip as a way to break out of our weekend routine and explore this beautiful city we live in - but its also a perfect tour for tourists if you're visiting. There is absolutely no reason to pay someone to take you around Chinatown. It's a super safe neighborhood and you can definitely self-guide by checking out the fantastic, albeit dumpling centric, restaurants we recommend here.
Nestled in Lower Manhattan, New York City's Chinatown is the largest enclave of Chinese people outside of China. Bustling with activity, its narrow streets are lined with restaurants serving dim sum and noodles, markets overflowing with fresh produce and exotic spices, and shops selling everything from souvenirs and wanna be Chanel bags to traditional Chinese home goods. We're taking the 4/5 train to Canal; just bring an empty stomach, comfy walking shoes and get here however you like. Our food tour is based on research on reddit, google maps reviews and NYC word of mouth.
STOP ONE: Mei Lah Wah
62 Bayard St, New York, NY
Google rating: 4.4
Stop one of our Chinatown food tour begins in the heart and most touristy part of Chinatown on Bayard Street. Ironically this is the first street I lived on when I moved to NYC! Located between Mott and Bowery, Mei Lah Wah is likely the most popular stop in our walking tour-and you can expect to have to wait in line. Fortunately the line to order at their outside kiosk moves fairly fast. We waited under 5 minutes to place our order and another 15 minutes to get our food, which they alert you is ready via text.
So what should you order here? Look no further than the roasted pork bun with pineapple. This is after all what everyone is waiting for - and for good reason. We ordered this and the steamed pork bun for a whooping $5.26. So cheap! If I were to go back I'd skip the steamed bun and get the exceptional roasted pork bun with pineapple x2. This stop was 10/10.
Spend your 15 minute wait time wandering the streets of Chinatown. Look for Doyer street, home of the ever popular Nom Wah Tea Parlor. Check out a souvenir shop, try to win big on a claw machine or grab a bubble tea. If you want to do this whole tour in reverse, you can also start with dessert by hopping across the street and trying the unusual flavors at Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. (Best IMO is almond cookie).
Once your food is ready, head to Columbus Park a few blocks away to grab a bench to enjoy your buns. This truly is a local park and you'll see tables of Chinatown residents gathering here to play cards.
STOP TWO: King Dumpling
74 Hester St, New York, NY
Google rating: 4.6
Just 10 minutes away and out of all the tourist traffic of prime Chinatown is King Dumpling. I'll be honest, while King Dumpling is highly reviewed (4.6 on google!) this was by far my least favorite stop. There are definitely different styles of dumplings - and unfortunately these weren't my favorite. If you're worried about being overly full, skip it and head to STOP THREE.
If you're open to checking it out it - King Dumpling is known for their fried dumplings. We ordered the Pork and Chive Fried Dumplings. 10 dumplings for just $4, cash only. Not sure how common this was or if we just had bad luck (it was busy) but we had to wait 10 minutes for our food. We also were given shrimp dumplings by accident instead (which they fixed). These dumplings compared to others we tried, are very lightly fried, more like boiled dumplings and in my opinion lacked a lot of flavor. They do, unlike Mei Lah Wah, offer places to sit while you eat.
Overall review 5/10.
A DIGESTION MOMENT AKA NON FOOD BREAK: Clockwork Bar
21 Essex St, New York, NY 10002
Ok so far, the two of us have had 2 bun and 10 dumplings, so we're taking this moment to have an eating break by stopping at Clockwork Bar. Located just around the corner from both our second and third stops, Clockwork Bar is the quintessential LES dive bar. You want graffiti - they've got it in force. You want cheap drinks - no problem. You want to see what NYC bars were really like back in the day - this is the stop.
Hang here until that tinge of hunger begins again because your next stop is super close.
STOP THREE: North Dumpling
27A Essex St, New York, NY
Google rating: 4.6
A half block up Essex, you'll find yourself at hole-in-the wall North Dumpling. A bit out of the main area, we were pleasantly surprised to find no line at this no frills stop. They too are known for their fried dumplings so we stuck with the Pork and Chive dumplings as a point of comparison. Again 10 for $4. Their sign outside says "homemade" and it was fun to see the women behind the counter making the dumplings right there.
Unlike King Dumpling, North Dumpling has the crispy skin we were looking for. The flavor was good and these are solid dumplings I'd eat again any time. They are reminiscent of Vanessa's Dumplings for any one who is a fan and we would give them 9/10.
We're getting close to finishing this food tour - think you can cram in another 5 dumplings? Hope so cause our last and favorite stop is coming up!
STOP FOUR: Shu Jiao Fu Zhou
295 Grand St, New York, NY
Google rating: 4.6
In all my research, Shu Jaio Fu Zhou came up over and over again. By for many (this now includes myself) this is THE stop not to be missed in Chinatown. Located under a 5 minute walk up from North Dumpling, you may experience a bit of line here. Luckily it moves fast and the food is worth the wait anyway. Shu Jaio Fu Zhou specializes in boiled dumplings and a peanut butter noodle dish we spotted on every table while we waited to order. Our pork and cabbage dumplings were 5 for $3 or 10 for $4.50 and the peanut butter noodles just $3. While we were here, we also stocked up on frozen dumplings 50 for $12.
As I've already said, I'm now a Shu Jaio Fu Zhou convert. These really are the best. Their super thin skin is chewy and delicious and the pork is perfectly seasoned with an interesting ginger pop. I was glad we waited to have these at the end and excited to make 50 more at home.
Thanks for reading! Check out our other NYC day trip ideas and guide below.