Asian Food

What You Need to Know About Asian Restaurants in New York

• There are approximately a thousand Asian restaurants in New York. This includes Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai restaurants. Every country in Asia is represented in New York!
• New York is indeed home to a very large Asian community. Part of this community lives in the Chinatown neighborhood in Manhattan. This neighborhood developed at the end of the 19th century with a strong influx of immigrants from China. The immigrants naturally brought their culinary traditions with them! Between 1910 and 1920, the number of Chinese restaurants in New York increased fourfold.
• However, the main Asian neighborhood is now located in Queens, at the end of the 7 subway line. Don’t miss a detour through Koreatown, a true Korean enclave in the heart of Manhattan, around 32nd Street.

The 6 Best Asian Restaurants in New York

1. The Best Sichuan

   The Best Sichuan is a chain of Chinese restaurants that perfectly showcases the cuisine of the Sichuan region. Among the specialties, try the Sichuan noodles, cumin chicken, or orange beef. But you will see that the menu offers a variety and variations almost infinitely! You can even wash it all down with a dash of coconut milk.

   

   Address: 7 East 47th Street, between Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue or 22 East 21st Street, between Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue.

   Neighborhood: Midtown or Flatiron District.

   Metro: 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr or 23 St-Baruch College.

2. NONONO

   NONONO is a traditional Japanese grill. Two dishes are featured: ramen broths and yakitori, these delicious grilled skewers. You can hesitate between chicken, beef, or vegetable skewers. The menu also offers sushi and sashimi.

   Address: 118 Madison Avenue, between 30th and 31st Street.

   Neighborhood: Midtown.

   Metro: 33 St.

3. Shanghai 21

   This Chinese restaurant is located in the heart of Chinatown, a stone’s throw from Columbus Park and the statue of Confucius. The menu obviously highlights the great classics of Shanghai cuisine, including dumpling soups.

   Address: 21 Mott Street.

   Neighborhood: Chinatown.

   Metro: Canal St.

4. Wo Hop

   Wo Hop is one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in New York. The restaurant opened in 1938 in the heart of Chinatown. In 2022, Wo Hop received the James Beard America’s Classics Award, awarded to historic and cultural restaurants. On the cuisine side, the chef offers all the Cantonese specialties.

   Address: 17 Mott Street.

   Neighborhood: Chinatown.

   Metro: Canal St.

5. Indochine

   In this human-sized restaurant, you find yourself in a colonial atmosphere. On the plates, a wise and delicious blend of French and Vietnamese flavors.

   Address: 430 Lafayette Street.

   Neighborhood: Lower East Side.

   Metro: Astor Pl.

6. Nami Nori

   This small restaurant with a minimalist atmosphere invites you to taste its open hand-rolls, a sheet of nori stuffed with rice, fish, or other ingredients. A surprising visual that changes from traditional Japanese rolls. Moreover, you can sit at the counter if you want to follow the meticulous work of the chef!

   Address: 33 Carmine Street.

   Neighborhood: Greenwich Village.

   Metro: Houston St.