Brooklyn’s Chinatown, located in the southern end of the borough, easily rivals the better-known Chinatown of Manhattan. Those in the know travel to Kings County for plentiful, authentic Chinese food at affordable prices. Your options for great food in Brooklyn’s Chinatown are numerous, but these six are great places to start chowing down on dumplings, noodles, dim sum, and other Chinese specialties.
Kathy’s Dumplings (Bay Ridge) This no-frills, counter-service spot serves a wide variety of its namesake dish, which it does very well. $5 will get you a nice big portion of pan fried pork dumplings (our favorite), although you could also get veggie, beef, and chicken dumplings either steamed or fried. Pair that with the excellent pan fried beef buns, the refreshing Chinese cabbage salad, or a scallion pancake. It’s all cheap, the service is quick, and the food is solid. Don’t forget to top it all off with a bubble tea! Photo courtesy of Vivian W. via Yelp.
Shu Mai | Alan L. via Yelp
East Harbor Seafood Palace (Dyker Heights) Dim sum is a style of Cantonese cuisine which involves a wide range of light dishes served with tea. Many say this is the best dim sum in all of New York, so prepare for a wait if you decide to come on a weekend afternoon. (Try to arrive early, around 9 or 10 a.m.) The menu offers a huge range of classic dim sum dishes, as well as some nonstandard dishes like bacon-wrapped shrimp, black sesame balls with peanut butter, and durian pastry. You can’t go wrong with anything you order, and you’ll find a lot of varieties of meat, seafood, and veggie dishes. The prices here are reasonable, too.
Jellyfish head | S L C via Yelp
Metro Cafe (Borough Park) Located right in the heart of Brooklyn’s Chinatown, Metro Cafe is a great spot for adventurous diners who want to try new dishes and are not afraid of spicy food. Metro Cafe focuses on authentic Sichuan dishes, and popular picks include the beef tendon appetizer, Shanghai noodles, spicy pigs ears, and peppers with pork. (Also on the menu is jellyfish head.) For large groups, order a steaming hotpot to share. And beware, that peppercorn spice is guaranteed to clear your sinuses and numb your tongue if overdone!
Shrimp Chow Fun | Hailey K. via Yelp
Grand Sichuan House (Fort Hamilton) You’ll find reasonably priced, consistently good food at the Grand Sichuan House in Fort Hamilton. Expect more authentic Sichuan cuisine here with a spicy bite. Diners love the fish dishes — the “Spicy and Aromatic Fish” comes in a huge metal bowl with peanuts, tofu, cabbage and more — as well as the dumplings, hot and cold noodle dishes and the spicy chicken. Expect lots of meat dishes with flavorful, vibrant seasonings.
Hand pulled noodles | John P. via Yelp
Wong Good Hand Pull Noodle (Dyker Heights) There is nothing like a good Chinese noodle soup. Wong Good Hand Pull Noodle makes all their noodles in house, served up with your choice of protein. For about $6 you’ll get a big bowl of noodles in a full-flavored broth… perfect for a cold day (or a hangover). This casual joint also serves perfectly-cooked fried dumplings and scallion pancakes. There’s not much space to sit, and you may have trouble with seating if you arrive in groups larger than 2 or 3 at a time.
Chicken in black pepper honey sauce | Amy N. via Yelp
Lucky Eight (Borough Park) This bare-bones eatery is your go-to spot for hearty Cantonese dishes. You can pre-order a suckling pig, served whole. Other popular dishes include the roast duck, crispy pork and rice, garlic chicken, tofu with clams, the pork ribs, and the Hong Kong Style lobster. The menu is extensive. Lucky Eight is a great place for a group dinner that won’t end up costing a fortune. The restaurant gets packed on weekend nights, though, so be sure to make a reservation.