China boasts an extraordinary variety of terrain, climate and culinary history to draw from; making its culinary offering one of the richest ever seen on this Earth. But which restaurants should you dine at?
High-end Chinese restaurants typically feature lavish ornate decor in either foreign- or Chinese-inspired styles. Their staff tends to be well-connected and wealthy individuals; customers come for special events.
1. Hwa Yuan Szechuan
Hwa Yuan Szechuan first debuted on East Broadway during its inaugural run in the ’80s and was celebrated by New York Times critic Mimi Sheraton and celebrities ranging from Steve McQueen to Peter Falk. Since its return, however, in 2017 Hwa Yuan Szechuan has seen its popularity return and now serves 250 seats along with 14 karaoke rooms upstairs. Now owned by Shorty Tang’s son and grandson Chen Lieh and James Tang who aim to demonstrate that spicy Sichuan food need not just Americanized versions while serving up popular Sichuan dishes like Mapo Tofu (silky tofu with ground pork in an incendiarily spicy chili powdered sauce) still remain popular.
Hwa Yuan Szechuan offers some modern interpretations on their menu–such as pork belly hung like laundry on a clothesline in a chile-garlic sauce–but most offerings remain traditional family recipes from its early heyday when both locals and visitors flocked there for its incendiarily hot, yet mind-numbingly delicious cuisine. Chef Lieh strives to balance nuance and flavor using subtle yet noticeable chiles that do not overshadow dishes like red-fried pork dumplings or stone pot green pepper fish dishes.
Szechuan Mountain House’s recent relocation from Flushing to the East Village is every bit as impressive, though the dining room may be slightly more comfortable. Still, their kitchen provides many classic Sichuan dishes – like photogenic twice-cooked pork with its fiery chile-garlic coating – perfect for photo opportunities.
2. Moon Kee
Real estate challenges and pandemic fatigue have left Hong Kong’s once imposing Chinese banquet halls struggling, yet this modern Hong Kong teahouse provides a pristine alternative. Guests are invited to bring large groups of friends and family together to share dishes like salty egg yolk lava French toast, beef satay instant noodles, and pork dumplings–dishes so delicious they have been featured in numerous films and television programs!
Recent additions to Sunset Park, this restaurant stands as a modern Chinese eatery. Their menu offers both Sichuan classics as well as northern ones like braised duck, and Shanghainese delights such as pig trotters in chili oil or lobster ma po tofu, all within an inviting environment complete with koi pond and tea service that treats beverages as sacred offerings – adding charm.
Those looking to indulge their craving for seafood should visit Chinatown restaurant The Fish Shack; its freshness and variety of fish makes it one of the top restaurants in town, while their cuisine can be customized specifically to each order and service is truly excellent. Plus they have an impressive selection of cocktails and wines! Don’t miss trying their lobster sashimi; all seafood enthusiasts should experience it.
3. Hwa Yuan Xiaolong
New York City is currently enjoying a Chinese food renaissance with numerous newcomers specializing in Chinese cuisine, from fast-casual dumpling and noodle shops to fine dining establishments offering unique takes on classic dishes. But even with all this attention being drawn to Chinese restaurants here in NYC, its history dates back more than one hundred years!
Hwa Yuan was one of Chinatown’s most beloved eateries before it closed in the 1980s, and is widely credited with introducing New Yorkers to cold sesame noodles. Reopened next door in 2017, revamped Hwa Yuan boasts all of the amenities and trappings of modern high-end dining establishments.
Shorty Tang’s son and grandson are dedicated to continuing his legacy by showing that Chinese American cuisine doesn’t just revolve around chili oil and peppercorns. That being said, some old-fashioned favorites remain on the menu such as silky ma jiang mian that was featured by New York’s Underground Gourmet during Hwa Yuan’s glory days and fermented black bean sauce-drenched pork knobs with distinct chewiness.
The sleek and artistic setting clad with blonde wood planks matches its food, which features Hunan rice noodles called mifen and delicious smoked beef jerky from an expansive charcuterie program. But the true star here is Peking duck–carved tableside and served alongside crispy bits of skin!
4. Xiaolong Zhuang
Xiaolong Zhuang was the pioneering force behind popularizing Sichuan cuisine in early 2010, replacing a Chinatown mainstay and becoming a symbol of its revival. Subsequently, many other restaurants offering similar fare have opened as part of a dining renaissance that includes 100-year-old institutions as well as brand new establishments offering dumplings and noodles to an ever-expanding fan base.
Within walking distance is a modern Hong Kong teahouse offering food from Guangdong’s Chiuchow region in northeastern Guangdong – Teochew cuisine which fuses elements from China, Vietnam and Cambodian flavors into delectable dishes such as braised beef in red soup or grilled pork belly with red soup.
Liu’s Shanghai in Bath Beach is a relative newcomer to Chinatown, serving both Shanghainese and Cantonese food family-style. Don’t miss their famous xiao long bao with pork filling and dried scallops enclosed within its thin golden skins!
Near the northern verge of Upper West Side, this alliteratively named restaurant specializes in Hunan cuisine – distinct from Sichuan but often more spicy – featuring pickling, drying and smoking methods to impart unique flavors – like its famous dish of smoked pork with bamboo shoots that tastes similar to Texas barbecue!
