"There are only a handful of fast-casual restaurants in NYC that live in our heads rent-free. Zooba, Teranga, and Milu are among them, and now, in Washington Heights, Native Noodles. It started off as takeout only, but this Singaporean spot has expanded with a few tables both inside and out where you can take your time exploring dishes like crispy crab buns and chili crab pasta. Both involve an inordinate amount of shellfish, and you could easily have a full meal by just ordering this combo. Native Noodles is a top-tier option for a casual weeknight dinner, especially considering that everything on the menu is under $15. It’s also worth noting that this is one of the few places in NYC currently serving Singaporean food." - hannah albertine, nikko duren, carlo mantuano