This week, we’re taking a different approach to our small business feature. Instead of focusing on a single business, we’re spotlighting some of the best dim sum spots in New York City’s Chinatowns. These eateries are worth visiting year-round, but they hold special significance for non-Christians during Christmas, when many other places are closed.
Manhattan
The oldest standby
First, we go old school: Nom Wah Tea Parlor, established in 1920, on Doyers Street. The block was the site of the first Chinese language theater in New York City and was once known as the “Bloody Angle” for its history of gang violence. Now, its claim to fame is Nom Wah Tea Parlor, likely the earliest dim sum restaurant in the city and among the first in the nation. Nom Wah’s classic decor reflects old Hong Kong cafes and New York diners.
As the oldest continuously running restaurant in Manhattan’s Chinatown, Nom Wah has weathered epidemics, intense cycles of anti-Asian racism, and economic decline before one of its current owners helped restore its pre-’90s reputation. Once a dainty tea shop known for its moon cakes, now egg rolls take the cake. Even at the height of pandemic threats to Chinatown businesses, the iconic dim sum parlor drew lines for its dumplings and the popular egg rolls.
While some reviewers say the food is overhyped, Nom Wah is still ranked among NYC’s best. According to this Roadfood author, the egg rolls’ crispy exterior and creamy inside are just perfect. Other fan favorites include shrimp and snow leaf dumplings and rice rolls with spare ribs.
Pro tip: Make sure you carry cash, as it’s a primarily cash-based business.
13 Doyers St.
New York, NY 10013
Note: For parties of three to five people, make reservations for Mondays through Thursdays via Resy. If there is no availability on the day you’ve selected, then that means that there are no more tables available for the day. Parties of two are accepted only as walk-ins on all days.
For large parties or buyouts, please select “Reservations, Buyouts, and Prix Fixe Dinners” in this contact form.
Other favorites:
Golden Unicorn
If you’re new to dim sum, Golden Unicorn gives you the old-style giant parlor introduction. The carts come with English labels for classics like spring rolls, pork shumai, and steamed shrimp dumplings. The sticky rice with chicken wrapped in lotus leaf and lo bak go (turnip cake) are crowd-pleasers. For kids (or your inner kid), Yelp reviewers suggest keeping an eye out for character buns, including little piggies and Minion-shaped dumplings. Pan-fried noodles can round out your meal, according to “Paul Eats Out.”
Pro tip: get there before 10 a.m. to skip the long lines.
18 E Broadway
New York, NY 10002
(212) 941-0911
info@goldenunicornrestaurant.com
Note: While Golden Unicorn does not take regular reservations during weekend and holiday hours, you can check estimated wait times with the staff or book a private event.
House of Joy
Formerly known as Delight 28, House of Joy has been a neighborhood favorite since 1989. The Chen family took over in 2020, determined to keep the traditional dim sum experience alive. Read: classic cart service. It’s also a slice of chaos with a “long line of patrons, a guy yelling numbers for tables, countless carts of fresh food weaving around,” as one Yelp user put it. Crowd pleasers include house specialties like the red rice noodle rolls, baked salty egg yolk buns, and walnut buns. Time Out New York stands by the silky egg custard and sweet black sesame rolls. Reviewers on the eatery’s website recommend the siu mai, fresh shrimp chang fen, and crystal shrimp dumplings.
The long line is worth it for one of the few old-school dim sum banquet halls left in the city, complete with “Chinese aunties pushing the carts, and the custom red carpets and chandeliers,” according to Mott Street Girls.
28 Pell Street, New York, NY, 10013
houseofjoynyc@gmail.com
(212) 285-8688
Monday – Sunday
9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Ping’s
You can see the fresh food at Ping’s Seafood as soon as you walk in: live lobsters, crabs, shrimp, and fish are visible in tanks. While prices may be slightly higher than at some other Chinatown spots, many Yelp reviewers say the quality justifies the cost (and the wait). Favorites include the black pepper ribs with pineapple, egg tarts, and baked BBQ buns. More adventurous recommendations include spicy chili peppers and sweet, pan-fried water-chestnut cake. For seafood lovers, the French-style sautéed and baked scallops are worth a try, as are the jumbo shrimp wrapped in bacon with garlic flavor. The restaurant’s namesake dish, Ping’s signature cuttle fish and silverfish, is another favorite.
22 Mott St
New York, NY 10013
(212) 602-9988
pingsnyc@gmail.com
Mon-Fri 11 a.m.- 9:30 p.m.
Sat-Sun 9 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Note: Ping’s doesn’t accept online reservations; please call (212) 602-9988 to book.
Queens
Asian Jewels Seafood Restaurant
When it comes to dim sum in Queens’ Chinatown, Asian Jewels Seafood Restaurant is a must-visit. This Flushing spot is dim sum grandeur at its finest, with gilded decor and chandeliers setting the tone. On busy weekend mornings, they’ll squeeze tables into every corner — maybe even a supply closet, according to Time Out New York. Despite the fancy vibe, the dumplings rolling by on carts keep it simple.
Reddit users sing its praises, with one calling Asian Jewels “the OG for dim sum in Flushing.”
Pro tip: To avoid a wait time of more than 20 minutes, Yelp reviewers recommend arriving by 11:15 a.m.
Asian Jewels Seafood Restaurant
133-30 39th Ave
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 359-8600
Mon-Fri 10 a.m.- 11 p.m.
Sat-Sun 9 a.m.- 11 p.m.
Shanghai You Garden
Another popular dim sum spot, Shanghai You Garden has locations in both Flushing and Bayside. The Flushing location is famous for its soup dumplings. And both get reviewers’ kudos for their generous portions.
The Bayside branch offers a slightly more relaxed dining experience, according to Yelp reviews. Reviewers also say this location is less crowded and that the service is prompt and friendly. At both locations, you can get free soup dumplings with a minimum $10 purchase.
Flushing
135-33 40th Road
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 886-2286
Daily 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Bayside
41-07 Bell Blvd
Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 229-3388
Daily 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Brooklyn
East Harbor Seafood Palace
Open since 2008, East Harbor is “the place for the best authentic dim sum experience in NYC,” as one Yelp reviewer puts it. Some Reddit reviewers say East Harbor feels more genuine than certain Manhattan Chinatown parlors because it’s typically full of locals instead of tourists.
The chaos of the packed dining room is worth it, according to many diners: the steamer carts move quickly, so snap decisions often lead to delightful surprises. A Time Out New York critic urges you to try the dumplings stuffed with pork, peanuts, and mushrooms, which are sweet, nutty, and full of flavor. Yelp users’ favorites include the fried crab rice, Peking duck, and scallops in black pepper sauce.
Pro tip: For quicker seating, Yelp reviewers recommend coming between noon and 1 p.m.
714 65th St
Brooklyn, NY 11220
(718) 765-0098
support@eastharborseafoodpalace.site
Daily 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Bamboo Garden
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy dim sum in Brooklyn without the crowds (looking at you, East Harbor), this is it. The local favorite has come a long way since it reopened in 2017 after a major renovation. You can now hold court in spacious gold and powder-blue dining rooms. The restaurant also has a carryout section by the entrance for meats and dumplings by the entrance..
But what makes Bamboo Garden special is its creative take on dim sum. Eater NY recommends fun offerings like pig-shaped custard buns and giant soup dumplings served floating in bowls of soup. Bamboo Garden also offers a tasty chicken-and-mushroom hot dish that comes in small saucers. Their siu mai and har gow are must tries, as well as the roast meats, according to The Infatuation.
Bamboo Garden
9501 Avenue L
Brooklyn, NY 11236
(718) 272-3175
11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Reserve a table online here.
We searched for Chinatown dim sum recs in the Bronx and Staten Island but came up short. Do you have a favorite dim sum spot in those boroughs? If so, reach out to us and let us know.
You can check out more of our small business stories here.
