New York City has a rich history of immigrant groups who settled in Manhattan, bringing their culinary flavors and talents to their new home. Chinese food is no exception, and Manhattan offers countless restaurants that keep the city happily supplied with wontons, moo shoo pork and the many dishes listed on ubiquitous takeout menus. The sheer number of options make it tough to find the best Chinese food the city has to offer, but several spots consistently rise to the top and make \"Best Restaurant\" lists published by local newspapers and magazines.
New York Noodle Town looks like just another hole-in-the-wall eatery on the outskirts of Chinatown, but this plain, nondescript restaurant routinely draws patrons that include New York's most celebrated chefs and dedicated foodies. The house specialities are roast suckling pig and its signature Chinese flowering chive stir-fry with scallop and squid. Other favorites include seafood-based noodle soups, platters of savory, chopped roast pork and prawns baked in a salt crust.
New York Noodle Town
28 Bowery St.
New York, NY 10013
212-349-0923
Tao, located in midtown Manhattan, is a sophisticated restaurant and lounge that attracts celebrities and trendy urbanites. The dramatic decor resembles the interior of an Asian temple, with a 16-foot statue of Buddha suspended over a pool filled with koi and lotus flowers. The menu offers the same level of polish, with modern Asian dishes, such as gingered lobster spring rolls, wine-lacquered Peking duck and spicy dragon-tail spare ribs. Tao's lounge is a favorite spot for well-dressed Manhattanites to people-watch while sipping a lychee martini.
Tao New York
42 E. 58th St.
New York City, NY 10022
212-888-2288
taorestaurant.com
Intrepid foodies travel miles around to sample the authentic, Fujian-style hand-pulled noodles at Sheng Wang. In their quest for these celebrated noodles, they are willing to overlook a non-English speaking staff, a drab interior with brown Formica and dull mirrors and a location that is somewhat off the beaten path in the Lower East Side. But they are richly rewarded with a bowl of Sheng Wang's memorable handmade noodles. Dining at Sheng Wang is definitely a culinary adventure, but one foodies insist is well worth the trip.
Sheng Wang
27 Eldridge St.
New York, NY 10002
212-925-0805?
Grand Sichuan is a small, affordable chain in the greater metro area, and one might not expect it to offer spectacular Chinese food. Yet, Grand Sichuan consistently maintains its reputation for serving the tastiest, most authentic Sichuan (also Szechuan) cuisine in town. Its West Village location features house specialities, including wok-seared filet mignon with Sichuan pepper. Spicy, complex dishes are the hallmark of Sichuan cuisine, and a few highlights on the menu are the tea-smoked duck with wontons and chili oil and Chong Qing spicy chicken.
Grand Sichuan
15 Seventh Ave.
Manhattan, NY 10016
212-645-0222
Buddakan is a posh, upscale restaurant located in Manhattan's trendy meatpacking district. Swathed in fake tapestries and chinoiserie-style fabrics, Buddakan has golden dining room with long communal tables. The menu offers an edgy, modern take on traditional Chinese fare. Popular dishes include deviled tuna tartare, taro puff lollipops, wok-seared frog legs and a Sichuan-crusted rib-eye steak.
Buddakan
75 Ninth Ave,
New York, NY 10011
212-989-6699
buddakannyc.com
