For the latest instalment of our 'City Guide' series, we asked NY-Hong Kong-Paris-based artist Anna Kwan (you might know her by her moniker @xoxoannakwan) to show us her favorite spots in Chinatown NYC. Accompanied by custom paintings produced exclusively for LANG, Anna describes why each selection below is a must-visit for anyone visiting New York.
Okay guys, Chinatown in New York City has always been a spot for me to visit when I am missing home a little more than usual – just the sounds, smells and yummy food always brighten my mood and take me back to Hong Kong for a few hours. It's my cure to home sickness.
Although I have sooo many spots I love, here are my three favorite places to visit (and they are all under $6 USD!).
Chang Lai Fish Balls
This shop is husband-and-wife duo owned and operated – you guys MIGHT be familiar with the iconic street cart in the heart of Chinatown, which sold the freshest, bounciest and most sauciest Hong Kong style rice noodles and fishballs. Wellllll, now they have opened a storefront!
I 100% recommend getting ALL the sauces – sweet sauce (hoisin), Sriracha, soy sauce and if you’re not allergic, peanut sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Yes, I know it sounds like a lot of flavors but trust me on this one, they blend so seamlessly together and create such a creamy luxurious sauce, you’ll be wanting more.
I got through the pot of steamy rice rolls so quickly – they were just so silky and comforting. I remember my Dad being obsessed with this when I was little. He would bring back takeout containers filled with it every time he would pass by the shops on his way home.
The owner, Leo, was the sweetest ever. I brought my mom with me here (who got off a flight from Hong Kong earlier that day lol) and we ended up chatting with him for a solid amount of time. There is limited seating here, but this street food snack is served in a plastic pot and meant to be eaten on the go anyway.
Chang Lai Fish Balls
55 Bayard St Store B, New York, NY 10013, United States
Mei Lai Wah
If you literally search up “NYC Chinatown” on any social media platform, Mei Lai Wah is sure to pop up and let me tell you, it is worth the hype. When I am craving for something sweet and savory, Mei Lai Wah is the place I run to. The insanely fresh pineapple buns come out of the oven straight to you – the warm filling of BBQ pork, the crunch of the sugar cookie topping and pillowy bread is the combo of the century.
Top tip: there’s usually a large crowd outside the bakery – step inside if you are just purchasing the Pineapple BBQ Pork Bun. The queue outside is for other orders, such as their dimsum!
There’s no seating here, so I’d suggest you to either walk to Columbus Park a few blocks away or in the summertime, there are some tables and chairs laid out near Doyers Street.
Each bun is $3.60, so when people say money can’t buy happiness, I bring them here and prove them wrong (on a budget too!).
Mei Lai Wah
62 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013, United States
Shu Jiao Fu Zhou
A hole in the wall, no frills spot, the dining area is reminiscent of a cafeteria. You pay at the front, cash only, get your order and share tables with strangers.
Bonded by the delicious comfort food of dumplings and noodles, what is not to love?
I went up to the till and ordered the fried pork and chive dumplings- $5 for 7- and within minutes a plate of freshly pan fried, sides crispy, piping hot and steaming dumplings were presented to me on a tray. I paid and took it to an empty seat and poured on soy sauce, sriracha and of course the chili oil housed in the metal tin.
Each bite started with a crunch from the dumpling skin then followed quickly with the juicy, tender pork filling. I seem to never learn from my mistakes of getting too excited for this meal and end up wincing at the temperature I subjected myself to- but in some weird way, it made it taste even better.
Shu Jiao Fu Zhou
295 Grand St, New York, NY 10002, United States
So, have you eaten?
With love,
Xoxo Anna Kwan