Lanzhou Ramen

New York’s Chinatown Restaurants Crippled by Low Prices

"Moved from East Broadway to the Bowery in 2017 and closed on October 31, this family-run Chinatown dumpling shop—run by Mandy Zhang and her father—was beloved for its plump, incredibly juicy dumplings that reviewers noted didn’t even need dipping, though some still enjoyed them with soy sauce and black vinegar. The tiny space had just a few tables where diners could hear cooks thwack hand-pulled noodles, and customers often took bags of dumplings home; the owners raised the price of 50-piece frozen bags from $12 to $16 in September to try to stay afloat. Despite strong public support that kept it open into the fall, rising costs and faltering neighborhood volume ultimately led to its closure." - Chris Crowley