Triangle Trip

As a follow up to my NYC Guide post, below is a list of Chinese restaurants in New York’s Chinatown I highly recommend to tourists and locals. I am actually a frequent customer at most of the restaurants I list below. Not only are these Chinese restaurants good, they are also very cheap. Before you go into any of these Chinese restaurants (or any for that matter), make sure you have cash with you as most Chinatown businesses only accept cash.

1.  New Wonton Garden – It used to be the best wonton in the world… but quality has gone down due to new ownership. However, this is still the best wonton noodle shop in the US. I am a huge fan of wonton noodle soup and Wonton Garden in NYC has the best soup in the nation. Wonton Garden is located on Mott Street between Canal and Bayard. Each bowl of wonton noodle soup or any other dumpling with soup will cost you under US$6.

2.  Big Wong King or Big Wing Wong – Both places offer cheap Cantonese style food. You can get BBQ pork, duck and other traditional Cantonese dishes in any of these restaurants. These two restaurants are probably the cheapest on the list. You can get a wonton noodle soup or roast pork with rice for under US$4. Big Wong King is located across the street from Wonton Garden and Big Wing Wong is located on Mott between Canal and Hester.

3.  Joe’s Shanghai – There are three Joe’s Shanghai locations (NYC Chinatown, Uptown and Flushing). The Joe’s Shanghai in Chinatown is by far the best. Joe’s Shanghai offer the best Shanghai soup dumpling in the world. I am not joking or exaggerating here. I have tried the best Shanghai soup dumpling deemed by local Shanghainese pundits, and Joe’s Shanghai soup dumplings was much better. For a tray of soup dumplings, it would cost you no more than US$6. Joe’s Shanghai offers many other Shanghainese dishes which are authentic. Go early in the afternoon or late in the afternoon to avoid the long lines. Joe’s Shanghai in Chinatown is located on Pell Street between Mott and Bowery.

4.  Hop Lee – Located on 16 Mott Street near Chatham Square. Hop Lee is more of a casual dining place with traditional Chinese food. Like most traditional restaurants, food is served family style. I always order the Cantonese style lobster dish which I highly recommend for my readers. Hop Lee also offers fresh seafood and vegetable dishes. Go there for dining and you will not be disappointed. Your meal should not run you US$50 for two people and I will guarantee you will be full.

5.  Golden Unicorn – This place is usually packed on weekends and most tourists know about it. Despite the fact that it is touristy, I still highly recommend this restaurant. I believe Golden Unicorn serves great dim sum for breakfast and has a good menu for fine dining in the evenings. Golden Unicorn is also cleaner than other dim sum restaurants in New York’s Chinatown.

Hope y’all enjoyed this post and visit my NYC Chinatown favorites. Leave me a feedback after you have tried these places.

Following up to my Guide to see New York in a day post, I would like to share some local insight with my readers on how they can see more of the East coast when they are visiting New York City. If you’re staying in NYC for more than a few days, I highly recommend you visit nearby cities like Philadelphia (100 miles away), Boston (200 miles away), and our nation’s capital Washington DC (230 miles away). Instead of spending $300 on a plane ticket, $150 on a round trip Amtrak train ticket, $100 a day on a rental car, or even $75 on a round trip Greyhound bus ticket, vacationers/tourists can take an independently owned and operated bus from New York City’s Chinatown for $10 to $25 one-way to Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC.

There are a number of bus companies that operate out of NYC’s Chinatown and buses depart from a number locations every hour. Here are a few bus companies with links to their websites: Fung Wah, Apex, and New Century. These buses all operate from NYC’s Chinatown which is located in Downtown Manhattan. All buses drop you off at each destination city’s (Boston, Philadephia and Washington DC) Chinatown — which is also located in the destination city’s downtown. If you’re dropped off at Boston’s Chinatown, you are within walking distances from Fannel Hall. When you’re dropped off at Philadephia’s Chinatown, you are within walking distance from the Liberty Bell. If you’re at DC’s Chinatown, you are minutes away from the White House.

Vacationers can do a day trip to each of the cities by leaving first thing in the morning and returning late in the evening. Detailed schedules are available on the bus companies’ sites. The best part of traveling by bus is you do not need a car at the destination cities. The best way to see Boston, Philly and DC is by foot, especially during this time of year!

Spring has finally arrived in New York. I have been getting many questions from friends, family members and clients on where to go in New York City. I initially drafted the post below nearly 10 years ago for a client in Kansas City intending to visit NYC for the first time in his life. I have just updated the information and thought it would be helpful to share it with everyone. If you start your day at 8AM or so from Downtown Manhattan and have an unlimited Metrocard, I believe you can see all of NYC in one day.

NYC is so big and has so much to see. I am sure I’ve missed a site here or there but I hope you find this helpful. Feedback welcome!  Enjoy the Big Apple!!!

Downtown

1.  Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island – located in lower Manhattan by Broadway & Whitehall St. (N or R train to Whitehall; 4, 5, 6 trains to Bowling Green). Tickets can be purchased by the Park located on Broadway by the Staten Island Ferry.

2.  NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) – on Broad Street, 6-10 blocks north from Statue of Liberty Park. Tickets can be purchased at the Exchange. Hours are 10 to 3. (Wall Street stop for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 trains; Broad Street stop for M, J and Z trains).

3.  South Street Seaport – South Street, 5 blocks east of Broadway, right by the water. Nothing special, just a shopping/eating area downtown. Walking distance from Wall Street.

4.  World Trade Center (WTC) – Site of Ground Zero. It’s on Church Street (three blocks north, two blocks west of Wall Street) between Fulton and Liberty. (Fulton Street stop for A/C and 4/5 trains).

5.  New York City Hall – On Broadway (N train City Hall stop) and Chambers Street. You can actually walk north of WTC and stay on Broadway which will take you to City Hall. Park has been renovated and has free wi-fi.

6.  Brooklyn Bridge – Steps away from City Hall, you can actually walk across this bridge on a sunny day. Bridge takes you to Brooklyn and offers a great view of lower Manhattan. Brooklyn Bridge is approximately 10-15 blocks north of Wall Street; 2 blocks east of the WTC. (Brooklyn Bridge stop – 4, 5, 6 train).

7.  Chinatown – Largest Chinatown in the US. Radius: Worth Street to Broom, East Broadway to West Broadway. Chinatown is approximately 1 mile from Wall Street. If you’re in a walking mood, you can walk north on Broadway and it’ll take you to Chinatown (make a right turn/east on Canal Street). You would want to walk Mott Street, Chinatown’s busiest Street. Mott Street is 6 blocks east of Broadway. (N, R trains to Canal St).

8.  Little Italy – was one of the largest Italian neighborhoods in the US. It is located inside Chinatown. Mulberry Street is the busiest street (Mulberry’s right next to Mott Street).

SOHO/Village

1.  SOHO (South of Houston Street) – ranges from Broom Street to 4th Street along Broadway.  SOHO’s famous for art galleries and alternative fashion. It’s just north of Chinatown. You’ll want to walk a few blocks east and west of Broadway to check out the culture. (N, R train to Spring Street)

2.  Greenwich Village – also known as “The Village.” Northwest of SOHO. Definitely NYC culture. Located west of Broadway. The Village ranges from west of 5th Ave to 7th Ave,  between West 4th to 14th Street. There are lots of boutiques, bars, restaurants, clubs, strange people, etc. New York University is also located in the Village. (B, C, D, F, E trains to West 4 St).

3.  East Village – East village is located east of Broadway. It ranges from west of Broadway to 2nd Ave, between East 4th and East 14th Street. (6th train to Astor Place).

Midtown

1.  Herald Square – 34th Street and 6th Avenue. Macy’s, the world’s largest department store, and a lot of other large retail shopping stores are located in Herald Square.  Madison Square Garden is located on 34th Street and 7th Ave, 1 block west of Macy’s. (Nearly all the trains go to 34th Street – B, D, N, Q, R, etc.)

2.  Empire State Building – 34th Street and 5th Ave.

3. K-Town – Koreatown is located right next to the Empire State Building (one block south). You can find great Korea food from 31st to 33rd Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue.

4.  Rockefeller Center/Radio City Music Hall – the place where they have the big Christmas tree during the Holidays. 49th Street and 5th Ave. (49th Street stop on the B, D, Q trains).

5.  St. Patrick’s Cathedral – across the street from Rockefeller Center. 5th Ave and 50th Street.

6.  Time Square – 42nd Street and Broadway/6th and 7th Ave (All the Avenues converge). Time Square actually span more than 10 blocks – from 40th Street to 52nd Street. (Nearly all the trains go to Time Square – B, D, N, Q, R, 7, etc.). David Letterman’s studio is on 52nd and 7th, a few blocks north of Time Sq. You can also catch a great “Broadway Show!”

7.  United Nations – Located on 42nd Street and 1st Avenue, east of Time Square (FDR Drive). No trains go to the UN, taking a cab from Time Square is your best bet.

8.  The Intrepid Museum – located on 42nd and 12th Avenue, west of Time Square (West side Highway). No trains go to the Intrepid, taking a cab from Time Square is your best bet. The Intrepid is an old Aircraft Carrier with a lot of WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War planes and helicopters.

9.  Circle Line Cruise – located next to the Intrepid museum. You can take a 4 hour scenic tour around Manhattan. Circle Line also offers a helicopter ride around the city. The cost of boat tour is approximately $10, helicopter ride will cost you approximately $100.

10.  Lincoln Center/Columbus Circle – home of a lot of symphonies. Located on 59th Street and 7th Ave, right across the street from Central Park, north of Time Sq.

11.  Central Park – The Park is huge. Ranges from 5th Avenue to 7th Ave, 57th Street to 86th Street. The Park has a zoo, the Great Lawn (it’s in a lot of movies), NYC reservoir, etc.

12.  5th Avenue & Madison Avenue from 50’s to 80’s – where most famous designer boutiques have shops are setup. You’ll find Tiffany, DKNY, Prada, FAO Schwarz, etc.

Uptown – East (Museum Mile)

1.  Museum of Modern Arts – 53rd Street, between 5th Ave and 6th Ave. Walking distance from Rockefeller Center.

2.  Museum of National History – Central Park West (also known as 5th Ave) at 79th Street. A must see!

3.  The Guggenheim – 5th Ave and 89th Street.

4.  Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) – 5th Ave and 82nd Street. (4 or 5 train to 86th Street, walk 4 blocks south and 4 blocks west).

5.  The Planetarium is also along the Museum Mile. . .