Alternatives to Classic Comfort Foods That You Can Find in Chinatown
We all have our childhood favorite comfort foods whether they are hot dogs, Jell-O or maybe even chicken noodle soup. But maybe now you are looking for something a little different. You are in luck! You can find a number of interesting dishes in Chinatown that you may have overlooked. Here are alternatives to classic comfort foods that you can find in Chinatown.
Instead of a cheesecake try an egg tart
Who doesn’t love a good cheesecake? But egg tarts can also be a fun, delicious treat with its silky egg yolk custard and flaky crust. Egg tarts were derived from a traditional Portuguese custard pastry called pastel de nata, brought over to Hong Kong then to brought over across the United States. They are now extremely popular treats in Chinatown and you can find really good egg tarts at Tai Pan Bakery (194 Canal St).
Instead of a hot dog try a Chinese sausage bun
Hot dogs are a quintessential New York lunch and in fact, in Chinatown you can find a hot dog bun which looks a bit like a “pig in a blanket” but we suggest that you try the steamed Chinese sausage bun aka a lap chong bao. A Chinese sausage has a firm texture and it is a bit saltier than a hot dog and it is incredibly tasty. You can find these buns in most Chinese bakeries like the Nice One Bakery (47 Bayard St).
Instead of chicken noodle soup try wonton noodle soup
Chicken noodle soup is the perfect comfort food especially when we feel a bit under the weather and as the temperatures drop. If you are in Chinatown you really should try the wonton noodle soup, it is just very hearty and satisfying. A good wonton also just explodes with flavor. One of our favorite spots for wonton noodle soup is Noodle Village (13 Mott St).
Instead of oatmeal try congee
Oatmeal is a nice breakfast dish that to be honest can be enjoyed at all hours of the day. Congee aka rice porridge is something quite similar. Congee can be served with everything from pork to fish to even thousand-year eggs. It just hits the spot and is very satisfying. A popular restaurant for congee is Congee Village (100 Allen St).
Instead of Jell-O try grass jelly
Jell-O usually is a ton of fun for kids but if you are looking to go a bit beyond Jell-O we suggest trying grass jelly at Fong Inn Too (46 Mott St). It has a similar texture but more depth of flavor and you can add a bit of sweetness to it with some honey. Once you’ve tried it, it is an irresistible dessert.
Instead of a ham and cheese sandwich try a Vietnamese sandwich
A ham and cheese sandwich is quite frankly a bit boring but Vietnamese sandwiches can be exciting and layered with flavor. There are a number of Vietnamese sandwich shops in Chinatown but our favorite is Saigon Vietnamese Sandwich Deli (369 Broome St). Try their house special sandwich with three variations of pork and vegetables. It is delicious and it only cost $5!
