Tag Archives: Chinese Food

NYC’s Best Dumplings at Shu Jiao Fu Zhou

It was lunchtime on the set, and I knew exactly where I was headed. It was time to eat the best dumpling in New York.


Get the blog before anyone else…subscribe!


This is Shu Jiao Fu Zhou, an institution in Manhattan’s Chinatown. This simple storefront serves tender dumplings, rich noodles and more.

I hadn’t been since before Covid. So it was time to go all-in.

I ordered the pork dumplings and a big plate of peanut noodles. Double or nothing!

Watching the people stream by the plate glass windows is fascinating. Some are making deliveries, others doing their shopping, and a few even visiting from far away.

“I don’t get down here enough,” I thought.

“Dumpling and peanut noodles!”

But this was no time to be lost in thought! My food was ready!

I plopped back down at the formica table, ready to experience the best of Fujian. But first, a little dark vinegar…

I bit into a dumpling, penetrating the smooth skin and reaching the unctuous pork within. Outstanding.

On to my noodles. I grabbed a big helping with my chopsticks, lifting them up to admire their glistening steaminess.

Down the hatch they go. Ahh…the creamy fat of the peanut butter with the chewiness of the wheat noodle is the ideal combination.

Peanut butter on noodles might sound a little unusual if you haven’t had it before. But trust me, these Fujianese folks figured something out!

I washed it all down with an ice cold Diet Coke. Hey, they have Coke in China too, right?

Resolving to never let so many years pass between visits, I sallied out into the sunny midday. Strolling past stands bursting with green vegetables and fresh fish, I found a lively basketball court.

I grabbed a bench and watched the men play. They yelled plays to each other excitedly, broad smiles on their faces.

This was the real life we missed for far too long during Covid. Now it’s back, and I appreciate it even more.

Shu Jiao Fu Zhou is open 7 days a week, from 8:30am to 8pm. In an ever more expensive city, its dishes are shockingly affordable — often under $5.

Give it a shot!

And if you can’t make it to New York, you can try making Fujianese peanut noodles at home. This might be my next little project!

What are your favorite Chinese restaurants? Leave a comment and let us know.

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe for more like this!

More on food:

BBQ Stingray at Urban Hawker

Korean Noodle Heaven at Food Gallery 32

The Pizza Princes of Grimaldi’s

Save Money on Stuff I Use:

Fundrise

This platform lets me diversify my real estate investments so I’m not too exposed to any one market. I’ve invested since 2018 with great returns.

More on Fundrise in this post.

If you decide to invest in Fundrise, you can use this link to get $100 in free bonus shares!

Misfits Market

I’ve used Misfits for years, and it never disappoints! Every fruit and vegetable is organic, super fresh, and packed with flavor!

I wrote a detailed review of Misfits here.

Use this link to sign up and you’ll save $15 on your first order. 

Advertisement

Our Man in Hunan

Never miss a post…subscribe!

On a quiet block just south of bustling 42nd Street, my wife and I ducked into a doorway and disappeared.

This isn’t a spy novel. But it is an incredible lunch.

Hunan Manor in midtown Manhattan serves outstanding Chinese food firmly rooted in the traditions of the motherland. You’ll find American dishes like an excellent General Tso’s, but also traditional recipes like scallion pancakes.

We sat down today in the surprisingly spacious dining room and within minutes, our waiter brought my wife’s spicy hot and sour soup and my enticing spring roll. Biting down with a satisfying crunch, I could tell this torpedo of flavor was freshly fried.

A few minutes of conversation later, out came the entrees. For the lady: ginger shredded beef with peppers. For me: Hunan style shrimp in a thick, piquant sauce.

The shrimp were cooked perfectly. Their texture was springy and yielding, unlike the little overcooked stones so many restaurants pass off as shrimp.

But the missus’ beef stole the show. The char on the thin strips of flesh, coupled with the perfume of ginger and tender peppers, made for a perfect dish.

I found myself wishing for tortillas to put the beef in, fajitas style. It’s interesting to see how different cultures approach similar ingredients and put their unique stamp on them.

We both ordered off the lunch combo menu, which I highly recommend. Everything is between $9.50 and $12.50, and that includes rice and either soup or a crispy spring roll.

You’d be hard pressed to find a better deal in town!

There will be no blog tomorrow. I have an acting gig. 🙂

See you Thursday!

More on food:

Manhattan’s Burger Baron

The Best Mexican Food Is In…New Jersey?

Alphabet City’s Best Pizza

Never miss a post…subscribe!

If you found this post interesting, please share it on Twitter/Facebook/etc. using the buttons at the bottom of the page. This helps more people find the blog! 

Save Money on Stuff I Use:

Amazon Business American Express Card

You already shop on Amazon. Why not save $100?

If you’re approved for this card, you get a $100 Amazon gift card. You also get up to 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, 2% on restaurants/gas stations/cell phone bills, and 1% everywhere else.

Best of all: No fee!

Fundrise

This platform lets me diversify my real estate investments so I’m not too exposed to any one market. I’ve invested since 2018 and returns have been great so far.

More on Fundrise in this post.

If you decide to invest in Fundrise, you can use this link to get your management fees waived for 90 days

Misfits Market

My wife and I have gotten organic produce shipped to our house by Misfits for over a year. It’s never once disappointed me.

Every fruit and vegetable is super fresh and packed with flavor.

I thought radishes were cold, tasteless little lumps at salad bars until I tried theirs! They’re peppery, colorful and crunchy!

I wrote a detailed review of Misfits here.

Use this link to sign up and you’ll save $10 on your first order. 

NYC’s Best Chinese Noodles

A wiry young man takes a small baton of dough from a tub. He flattens it and gives it a little stretch. Then, he quickly yanks it out to a length of several feet and dramatically slaps it back down. Whack, whack!

This is Very Fresh Noodles in New York City. Found inside the cavernous Chelsea Market, it’s served chewy, hand pulled noodles to drooling patrons since 2016.

I visited last Friday with my wife. I pretended to pore over the menu, but I knew what my stomach really needed: La Mei Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup.

The bowl was soon in front of me, steaming and filled to the brim. Just picking up the noodles with your chopsticks will whet your appetite. They’re thick, luscious, and glistening from the broth.

I greedily shoveled them into my mouth. The texture and flavor were perfect. The soup was aromatic and spicy, tasting of star anise. The beef is rich, incredibly tender, and falls apart in your mouth. At first I looked for extra chili oil, but soon realized I didn’t need it. These spices have a delayed reaction!

Very Fresh Noodles also has a scorching Dan Dan Mian and numerous vegetarian dishes, including the toothsome mock duck my wife ordered. There is counter seating inside and lots more comfortable seats along the sidewalk, some covered.

I’ve never had better Chinese noodles. If you’re in the area, give it a try!

Have a great Labor Day weekend everyone!

More on food:

The Best Bakery in NYC (It’s Not Levain)

The Best Mexican Food Is In…New Jersey?

NJ’s Best Apple Cider Donut

If you found this post interesting, please share it on Twitter/Reddit/etc. using the buttons at the bottom of the page. This helps more people find the blog! 

Save Money on Stuff I Use:

Amazon Business American Express Card

You already shop on Amazon. Why not save $100?

If you’re approved for this card, you get a $100 Amazon gift card. You also get up to 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, 2% on restaurants/gas stations/cell phone bills, and 1% everywhere else.

Best of all: No fee!

Fundrise

This platform lets me diversify my real estate investments so I’m not too exposed to any one market. I’ve invested since 2018 and returns have been good so far. More on Fundrise in this post.

If you decide to invest in Fundrise, you can use this link to get your management fees waived for 90 days. With their 1% management fee, this could save you $250 on a $100,000 account.

iHerb

The only place I buy vitamins and supplements. I recently placed an order and received it in less than 48 hours with free shipping! I compared the prices and they were lower than Amazon. I also love how they test a lot of the vitamins so that you know you’re getting what the label says. This isn’t always the case with supplements.

Use this link to save 5%! 

Misfits Market

My wife and I have gotten organic produce shipped to our house by Misfits for over a year. It’s never once disappointed me. Every fruit and vegetable is super fresh and packed with flavor. I thought radishes were cold, tasteless little lumps at salad bars until I tried theirs! They’re peppery, colorful and crunchy! I wrote a detailed review of Misfits here.

Use this link to sign up and you’ll save $10 on your first order.