We all know how expensive it can be to eat in New York. Especially in Manhattan. Going to an “inexpensive” restaurant or even a trip to the supermarket can still leave a backpacker feeling over budget. Its true – NYC can be a really pricey city – but for travelers that are willing to stray a little from the beaten path, it can also be an incredibly cheap place to eat, drink and explore. We've got lots of culinary gems here that are affordable, authentic, and well worth the trip.
Manhattan Chinatown is home to many of these places – here you can indulge in authentic Asian food for less than $5 a person. My favorites are the Hong Kong style noodle soup, Vietnamese sandwiches and pho, and the dollar dumplings.
Beef brisket noodle soup at Lam Zhou
Head to Lam Zhou Handmade Noodle, at 55 East Broadway*, for Hong Kong-style noodle soup. The noodles here are the most authentic I've had since leaving China: hand-made, hand-stretched, and then quickly thrown into broth for our enjoyment. For three to five dollars you can have noodle soup with a selection of spicy beef, roast pork, fish balls, bok choy and more.
Tasty Dumpling is one of Chinatown's worst-kept secrets. Famous for their pork and chive (or cabbage) dumplings at $1.25 for five, this place is one of NYC's least expensive meals, and it is a big hit with the lunch crowd during the week. Located on the east side of Columbus Park (55 Mulberry St.), Tasty Dumpling is right around the corner from Park Row, the Brooklyn Bridge, and City Hall. Be sure to try their sesame pancake sandwiches and the peanut noodles.
Around the corner from Tasty Dumpling, and also worth noting, is the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (65 Bayard St). It isn't cheap, but it's the only place in town that boasts black sesame, ginger, lychee and taro root flavored ice cream.
Vietnamese sandwiches have gotten really hip here in the last few years. You'll see posh restaurants all over the city offering their own variation on this classic sandwich, with delicate sauces, exotic ingredients, and a price that is two or three times what you'll pay in Chinatown. These sandwiches are delicious – but not ideal for a backpacker on a budget.
Making bánh mì at Sau Voi Corp
For an authentic and backpacker-budget-friendly meal, head to Sau Voi Corp on the southeast corner of Lafayette and White (Canal St off the 4,5,6, N, Q, R, J, and Z). With all the appearances of a standard New York bodega, this place doubles (triples) as a video rental store and purveyor of Vietnamese sandwiches. They've got a great selection of movies and tapes dating back to early 80's, and for three to five dollars, the best VN sandwiches I've ever had. I'll usually stick with the classic bánh mì– a big baguette, toasted and stuffed with daikon, carrots, cucumber, cilantro, pâté, two or three other types of pork and a healthy dose of hot sauce. They've also got some variations: meatball, chicken, sardine and ground pork and fish sauce.
Last, and most definitely not least is pho: Vietnamese noodle soup, traditionally served with two or three different cuts of beef, bean sprouts, fresh basil. The best I've found is at Nha Trang Centre. For four to six dollars, you get a BIG bowl of noodle soup, stocked with meat and veggies. This dish is delicious, filling, and full of variations. They've got all sorts of combinations of meats and veggies, and even a vegetarian option! I can't speak for the rest of the menu, though; general entrées here are a bit pricier.
Part of the fun of exploring Chinatown is the food you encounter. Walks through unfamiliar streets can often lead you to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant with delicious food for very little money. Happy eating – let me know if you find anything great!
* A note for people new to New York – East Broadway is different from Broadway or West Broadway – it is between Chinatown and the Lower East Side. Its a quick walk from either neighborhood, or one block from the East Broadway stop on the F train.