Chinatown Restaurants

I've lived in the nabe for 25 years, it's about time I put my local knowledge, discerning taste buds, culinary expertise, bad ass homo attitude and my NYC Jewish cynicism to work. Besides, who the hell knows Chinese food better than a Gay Jew who's lived in Chinatown for 25 years?

House of Joy

Highly recommend

Cantonese, Dim Sum

Rating: 4 out of 5 Dumplings

28 Pell St

NYC NY 10013 Visit Website

We love this Chinatown Dim Sum house that is really oh so much more. It really is a house of joy. You walk into this newly renovated place and you're greeted by the maitre 'd and a very eager staff to serve. The service is excellent just don't sit in front of the giant menu screen which was a bit odd taking over the main dining room. Although we had a little trouble with the check, we asked to put half on the credit card and half cash and the waitress tried to get us to put the entire amount thing on the CC and keep the cash tip. Very Chinatown, very massage parlor, and that will prevent this restaurant from getting our highest accolades, a 5 dumpling rating.

The egg custard buns are steamed to perfection with a sweet and salty yolk just oozing upon your first bite. Dim sum all around is excellent and you really can't go wrong with their extensive menu.

Musts:

Egg Custard Buns

Two Jewel Fried Rice

Fish and Tofu casserole

Sauteed String Beans

Grouper with Mixed Vegetables

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Tasty Hand Pulled Noodles

Not recommended

Rating: 1 out 5 Dumplings

1 Doyers St

NYC NY 10013

Website

Our experience at Tasty Hand Pulled Noodles was not a good one. We sat outside at first in an enclosed claustrophobic mini train plastic contraption then asked to be seated on the street in cute little stools with rats running around. We ordered the pork dumplings, they were seriously the worst dumplings I've ever had in Chinatown. They weren't even edible, dare I say it tasted like dog food. For this alone a one dumpling review. The pan fried noodles with egg were actually good albeit a little bit greasy. The Roast Duck Soup featured excellent noodles but the duck was not edible, just fat and bones. I seriously couldn't believe they served us this and charged $13. I could go on, but why bother, there are much better places in Chinatown, like just about everything.

Musts to Avoid:

Pork Soup Dumplings

Roast Duck Noodle Soup