Great NY Noodletown
Chinese restaurant · Chinatown ·
Salt-baked seafood, handmade noodles, soups, & roast meat
Salt-baked seafood, handmade noodles, soups, & roast meat
"Originally a late night hangout and consistently lauded for its Cantonese fare, this Chinatown staple, Great NY Noodletown, has been going for more than 40 years (minus a brief six-month closure for a refresh in 2022), and while it closes earlier these days, it still delivers consistent, reliable roasted meats, excellent carryout, and terrific noodles. Order the standard-setting chow fun with moist, marinated morsels of beef dotted throughout — and make sure to get the version with gravy; the dish is generous with Chinese broccoli, and if you skip it, get a side of the vegetable to add some green to your table. Wonton noodle soup is excellent here, with overstuffed dumplings floating in a clear, heady broth. Char sui’s sweet-salty marinade has just the right balance, the pork is as juicy as you’d want, and it’s great on its own, but I usually make sure it shows up in the wonton soup. The shrimp roll comes with two pieces and is an airy, crisp appetizer option that pairs well with soup. On weekends it opens at 9 a.m., making it a less slammed Chinatown option when dim sum lines form; the early morning atmosphere is calm and convivial, a worker trims beans at a restaurant table to prep for the day, and regulars reminisce over favorite meals with the manager as they pick up takeout orders." - Missy Frederick
"Ruth Reichl championed New York Noodletown, a Chinatown spot she described as “a bare, bright, loud restaurant where the only music was the sound of noodles being slurped at tables all around,” capturing its unpretentious, noodle-forward atmosphere." - Jaya Saxena
"This famous spot for salt-baked seafood and the namesake noodles impressed me on a short NYC trip: the in-season salt-baked soft shell crabs were cooked perfectly and served with pickled jalapeños that added a bit of heat to the crunchy, mustard-filled crabs ($37). Paired with a simple noodle dish (you can’t go wrong with lo mein or thicker noodles here), it’s a Chinatown institution with fast-moving service and complimentary tea; bring cash, and there’s an ATM on the opposite corner if you forget." - Bettina Makalintal
"The duck hanging in the window never made this place visually enticing, but the crispy noodles are pretty damn good!" - My Orange Box
"In case you missed it, you can bring your own wine to Great NY Noodletown. That means that the next time you come to this Chinatown institution, you should plan on pairing your wonton roast pork noodle soup with a crisp bottle of white." - molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah