Yo! NYC — Chinatown, New York City food, events, places, and other randomness blog.

ANOTHER dim sum place ..

April 22nd, 2008 · 1 Comment

After Tai Hong Lao(sp?) closed down (health inspection, sigh, a constant barrier to amazing food) on Mott, I couldn’t think of any place to eat dim sum. I hated Jing Fong (terrible service, watery food, expensive); Go Go Dimsum (too polished, much too expensive for poor college student me); Delight 28 (found a rat underneath the table many years ago, I’m still scarred. Although, the waiter from Tai Hong Lao works here and still remembers me =). Thus, I resorted to Mandarin Court (the lady at the counter has always been kind to me even when I was a young girl): it was relatively cheaper than the rest of the restaurants, and they were quick with your orders. The service was never great, and I still have a personal dislike towards one of the waiters.

Thus, when Kawai mentioned 9 Chatham Square, I had to check it out:

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→ 1 CommentTags: Chinatown Eats

The best damn fried dumpling - part 2

April 14th, 2008 · No Comments

Tasty Dumpling on Mulberry Street

Tasty Dumpling
54 Mulberry Street

Perfectly crispy bottom, well cooked pork inside, steaming hot, and amazingly cheap 5 for $1.25(they recently raised their prices) fried dumplings aka potstickers at Tasty Dumpling. Their name says it all, they have a small menu of items from noodles, tofu salads, scallion pancakes all OK, but the star is the DUMPLINGS! Don’t expect service, seating are limited about 10 people max, but hey what do expect its Chinatown. Make sure you properly season your dumplings with the provided dumpling sauce and sriracha hot sauce on the table, to gives it that extra little kick. If the weather permits, take it to go and enjoy people watching at the park right across.

Tasty Dumpling on Mulberry Street
Above: Pork and chive dumpling, so fresh it melted the styrofoam package.

→ No CommentsTags: Chinatown Eats

Yummy Noodles, service not up to par

April 12th, 2008 · No Comments

Yummy Noodles
(screen shot from the Andy Milonakis Show)

Yummy Noodles
48 Bowery, New York 10013
Btwn Bayard & Canal St
212-374-1327

Yummy Noodles are well known for their clay pot casseroles, roast ducks, and other Hong Kong style favorites on their menu. Cheap is the key, an average dish is around 4-6 dollars, but the menu might be a bit overwhelming for some. There are over a 100 items fit on to a single 8 1/2 x 11 size menu. My latest visit to that Yummy Noodles the service was really lacking.

Yummy’s logo and Rolex logo

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Veselka Coffee Shop - Ukrainian food

April 6th, 2008 · No Comments

Veselka Coffee Shop
144 2nd Ave (@ 9th Street)
New York, NY 10003-8305
Phone: (212) 228-9682
veselka.com
Open 24 hours
I had my eyes on this place a long time ago but never stood for the perpetually jammed wait. Luckily today it wasn’t too packed; I was seated right when I got in. Veselka is a Ukrainian cuisine coffee house that serves a wide variety of dishes. Known for their famous handmade pierogis, the menu consist of meat (especially pork), potatoes, fruit, mushrooms, berries, and herbs play a major part in many dishes.

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Dirt Cheap Hair Cut

April 6th, 2008 · 1 Comment

New Hong Kongg Barber Shop

18A Doyers Street, NYC

There are loads of barber shops along the old Doyer Street. One of the cheapest place to get a haircut in Chinatown is here at, New Hong Kongg Barber Shop (~~extra g for gangsta).~~ Seriously this place is dirt cheap, regular hair cut goes for $6 add $2 more bucks for a wash with it. Drop a buck or two for tips and you’re set. No appointments needed, get in and out in about 20 minutes.

Hong Kongg Barbara Shop in Chinatown Doyer Street

Even with the inflation of the US dollar, this place keeps their prices pretty low. Talk about cutthroat competition and price wars!

→ 1 CommentTags: Randomness

Cheapest & Freshest ToFu in Chinatown!

February 24th, 2008 · 2 Comments

Foo Inn Too Inc.
Don’t let the outside look deceive you, but this is one of the best place to find fresh and cheap tofu products, Fong Inn Too Inc. at 46 Mott Street.

75 cents for hot fresh tofu fa, can’t beat that any where around town.

Yummy Tofu Fa

→ 2 CommentsTags: Randomness

Trip to Harlem’s Dinosaur BBQ - A Genuine Rib Joint

January 27th, 2008 · No Comments

Dinosaur BBQ in Harlem

I went to Dinosaur BBQ in Harlem for dinner last night. Word of advise, call for reservation in advance or be prepared to wait for a very long time (probably 1 hour +). After being told that the wait will be an hour to an hour 1/2, I decided to do take out. Someone told me you have to make reservation a week in advance, INSANE, I think thats kind of over the top.

Dinosaur BBQ
646 West 131st Street
(212) 694-1777

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Thailand Restaurant at Bayard

December 31st, 2007 · 1 Comment

Thailand Restaurant at Bayard

Recently renovated for a more contemporary feel, the Thailand Restaurant offers a great taste of traditional Thailand food with a modern touch. Having been to many crappy looking restaurants around Chinatown, it was nice to see the new upgrade. The all glass window side brings in ambient lighting which warm the look of the inside. It was especially nice the day I went when the sun was out.

The owners and people who work here consistently make excellent food. Every single dish is well done. The wait staff is friendly and attentive. The ambiance may be somewhat lacking but the place is very clean and not at all unattractive. Prices are reasonable. It’s all about the quality of the food and the cooking. This place is great if you’re looking for a Thai food experience!

Pongsri Thai Restaurant
106 Bayard St
(Cross Street: Baxter Street.)
New York, NY 10013
(212) 349-3132

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→ 1 CommentTags: Chinatown Eats

Sighting GrandMa From Andy Milonakis

December 31st, 2007 · 1 Comment

Andy Milonakis Grandma
Sighting GrandMa from the Andy Milonakis Show at Astor Place, rocking the fanny pack and other trinkets.
*Note: GrandMa has funky BO

→ 1 CommentTags: Randomness

Tea Eggs on Grand Street

October 23rd, 2007 · No Comments

In the late hour on the corner of Grand St. D train station, this street vendor opens shop. Working from a Pathmark shopping cart, this guy hustles some steaming hot treats.

Black Tea Egg Cart