Taste of Northern China
“The steamed dumplings & the cumin lamb burger were both good but not the best.”
“It reminds me of Xi'an Famous Foods prices before they got all crazy and started upping their dishes to $8-9, $10.”
“Despite the ambience, I'd tuck myself in one of these small stools and nosh on these noodles any day.”
Taste of Northern China
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
8 reviews
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Look for the red wrap-around sign that says 'China Local Cuisine' – this small little Chinese restaurant noodle soups, lo mein dishes, rice dishes (such as egg fried rice, braised chicken over rice, pork rib over rice, etc.), authentic Chinese plates (stewed lamb soup, cold skin noodles, spicy hot pot, etc.), 'snack' items (Chinese burger, meat pancakes, meat bun, pork rolls, etc.), soups (wonton soup, etc.), skewers, and vegetable entrees (eggplants, cauliflower, green peppers, etc.). The hubs and I stopped by for a quick lunch, and tried their Lamb Noodle Soup and a lamb skewer. The noodle soup was way too game-y for me, both the meat and the broth; the noodles, which seemed to be pretty okay, was also extremely game-y from the lamb meat. The lamb skewer, which you can opt for either regular or spicy (we opted for the regular seasoning), was pretty delicious! While the meat themselves were super tiny, and it wasn't really chargoaled grilled (more like grilled on their large grill), it was super juicy and super flavorful. I think the tiny size also makes it inevitable to have those delicious crispy exteriors! The skewers were definitely a pleasant surprise, and they can definitely be downed like popcorn! The husband-and-wife team here are super friendly and nice, but note that English is extremely minimal here. There are only 7 seats at the counter, and it is super cramped. Cash only.
+lamb skewers!!! 😀
+only 7 seats at the counter
+friendly staff 😀
Can't believe I didn't know about this place until now. Like everyone else has described, this little joint is basically a more authentic, even fewer frills version of Xian Famous Foods. I ordered the spicy soup noodles, pork burger and spicy lamb skewers. The noodles were delicious: much less oily than Xian's noodles and it contained a variety of ingredients that worked well together, like bean sprouts, spam, lamb and peanuts. I really appreciated that the noodles were glass noodles. It was also not too spicy. The pork burger looked like it was greasier than anything but actually didn't taste too heavy! The pork is cooked to tender perfection with a bit of fat. Finally, the lamb skewers: maybe it's just been too long since I've had these and my memory of these are way too rosy, but I felt like they somehow missed the mark a little bit. They definitely tasted really good and the spicing/cumin taste was there, but somehow they felt like they were just missing that extra pinch of flavor that make them truly addictive. Maybe it was because they were a bit cold or something by the time I got back to my apartment. At any rate, I'm definitely excited to go back and try them again/other items on the menu!
This place is literally a hole in the wall: just one countertop with a few seats. Takeout is probably your best option in most situations!
First of all, this is a small little restaurant with perhaps 6 stools and a counter, so don't go expecting to dine luxuriously or even fast food style. This also is not a place that's suitable for a group outing unless you all enjoy looking at your food and not each other because there are no tables.
But with that caveat, this is the best inexpensive Chinese food in NYC. The skewers of lamb, crab, or chicken are about $1.50, and every one of them were spicy and tasty. The soups, noodles and dumplings all were outstanding and under $6. My entire dinner of 4 skewers and 6 dumplings was less than $15. The staff are very sweet, and the food is delicious.
WOW
CHEAP
GOOD
AUTHENTIC
CHINESE
FOOD.
NO JOKE
Location: they have a huge chinese sign .. Their main customers are chinese.
LOL
ALL FOOD ARE DELICIOUS
N
Cheap
They are true street food – cheap, good and delicious are their own goal.
HANDS UP FOR THIS HIDDEN GEM
4 STAR
P.S If you are concerned about the cleanses of this place, you may skip this place forever.
I've know about Taste of Northern China for years now and I've been reluctant to write a review because I wanted to keep it as my secret spot, but there's been a ton of articles on it anyways and it's time I give Taste of Northern China their dues.
One of my favorite cheap eats to hit up in NYC. This is the best hole in the wall spot ever. It doesn't get any holier than this. Dingy and it might look unsanitary, but if you can get over that, you'll be in for a tasty treat.
My love of skewers started with Solo in Philly and I rarely get to go to Philly. So to my great surprise I stumbled on Taste of Northern China. What attracted me was their wall of photos plastered on the window in front of their shop. I saw photos of like 20 different skewers ranging from $1.25-$1.50. I was sold. I was super excited I ordered like 6-8 different skewers of lamb, beef, pork, chicken, squid, chicken gizzard, fish balls, sausage, etc. I'm sure I've almost tried all their skewers there.
And their crowning glory is the cumin lamb burger! This $4 delicacy is amazeballs in the flavor department. And one of my all time fav skewers to get is the squid! Awesome seafoodie flavor!
Even though I've been here a ton of times. There are still a ton of dishes I haven't tried and been meaning too. It's just too hard for me not to order my usual favs. I will strive better next time and actually try one of their noodles dishes….or not. Hehehe old habits die hard.
This place is literally in the heart of Chinatown. It's def not in the touristy area of Chinatown. It's a bit of a trek to get to, but if you happen to be in the area, it's a must do for me.
From an attempt to satisfy my skewer craving, I thought I'd give this place the opportunity to do so but I ended up with disappointment.
The shop was closing in about 20 mins and the lady rushed me in ordering. She actually refused to accept my order for bacon skewers because she said it would take too long to make. I ended up getting lamb, beef, chicken, beef tendon and squid. All of the skewers were mediocre at best. The beef tendon and squid were the most disappointing. It was cooked but it lacked that grilled taste I was looking for. It was as if the grill wasn't fired up enough to get that smoky flavor in. The seasoning was barely dusted on. I'm not sure if the skewers are usually like this or the lady was just rushing and half assed on the cooking…
I honestly prefer skewers from carts after this experience.
Great skewer joint in chinatown. Located outside of East broadway mall and it's a small place with about 4 seatings facing against the wall.
The seasoning to the skewers are decent and doesn't compare to the actual north china skewers that I've had from Beijing.
Good place for a small snack tho.
The squid skewers were so flavorful, if I weren't afraid of the sodium intake, I'd have eaten more! Located a little south of touristy Chinatown, this little hole in the wall was such fun to eat at. While not the most appealing nor sanitary kitchen, they do cook in front of you, so little to worry about. It's a pit-stop must on your way to happy hour or work! It happily reminded me of China, where there would be stands and shops along the roadside, bright and early, selling fresh pork buns or soybean milk in bags with a youtiao piping hot, ready to be eaten.
I ordered the squid skewers and every bite was delicious. The right chewiness and the seasoning was amazingly flavorful. At $1.50 a squid skewer, two was not enough for me! My friends ordered the cumin lamb skewers and lamb burger. Both were delicious and the lamb burger was certainly large enough to share. I would love to know how they season their lamb because how do they get so much flavor in their meat?!?
With such an extensive menu, I plan to try their other skewers and noodle dishes during future visits! And if you ask me, this place had much better skewers than the times square meat skewers!