Discover the top 5 cheap Chinese restaurants in Manhattan that serve unbelievably delicious food for under $10. A must-read for foodies on a budget visiting NYC’s Chinatown.
🥢 Introduction: Where Flavor Meets Frugality in NYC
Looking for authentic Chinese food in Manhattan that doesn’t break the bank? Forget greasy takeout boxes and bland MSG bombs—this is the real deal. From steaming bowls of hand-pulled noodles to crispy pork belly over rice, we scouted 5 cheap Chinese restaurants in Manhattan that prove flavor doesn’t have to be expensive.
Whether you’re a local or a tourist on a tight food budget, these spots offer unbeatable value under $10 per meal—some as low as $4! Get ready to line up with locals and discover what makes these eateries true Chinatown legends.
🥇 Wah Fung No. 1: $5 Roast Pork That’ll Blow Your Mind
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Address: 79 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002 Recommended Dish: Small Roast Pork Over Rice – $5.50 Cash Only
A local institution known for its long lines and unbeatable prices. Their roast pork is glistening, sweet, and slightly crispy—served on top of warm, fluffy rice with pickled vegetables. It’s so good that many call it the best $5 meal in Manhattan.
Fun Fact: Rumor has it, Anthony Bourdain once grabbed a bite here during his secret NYC eats tour.
🥟 Shu Jiao Fu Zhou: Dumplings So Cheap You’ll Think It’s a Mistake
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Address: 295 Grand St, New York, NY 10002 Recommended Dish: Pork & Chive Dumplings (8 pieces) – $4.75 Cash Only
This humble Fujianese eatery offers hand-folded dumplings with juicy filling for under $5. Also famous for their peanut butter noodles and hot & sour soup—each under $5.
Insider Tip: Locals often grab 2–3 sets to-go. Perfect for meal prepping on a tight budget.
🍜 Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles: Watch Your Noodles Get Made Fresh
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Address: 1 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013 Recommended Dish: Beef Hand-Pulled Noodles – $13.75 A little pricier than the others, but worth it. The noodles are made to order—bouncy, chewy, and rich in flavor. The cozy, no-frills spot gives you a front-row seat to watch the magic unfold.
Local Buzz: Frequented by NYU students and office workers who need a warm bowl of carbs without draining their wallets.
🦆 Great N.Y. Noodletown: Old School Vibes, Timeless Flavors
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Address: 28 Bowery, New York, NY 10013 Recommended Dish: Roast Duck & Pork Over Rice – $9.75 If you’re craving crispy-skinned roast duck, head to this iconic Bowery staple. The neon signs, plastic menus, and bustling waitstaff scream “old-school Chinatown” in the best way.
Fun Fact: After their reopening in 2022, fans lined up for hours to get a taste of nostalgia.
🥡 Deluxe Green Bo: Soup Dumplings That Don’t Break the Bank
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Address: 66 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013 Recommended Dish: Shanghai Soup Dumplings (8 pieces) – $9.95 Famous for its juicy xiao long bao, this spot offers Shanghai comfort food in a no-nonsense setting. Pair the dumplings with a scallion pancake and call it a feast.
Pro Tip: The dumplings come piping hot—wait a few seconds before that first bite unless you want a molten soup explosion!
📍 Final Thoughts: Delicious Doesn’t Mean Expensive
Manhattan is known for upscale dining, but these 5 Chinese restaurants prove you don’t need a reservation or a big budget to eat like royalty. From legendary pork over rice to unforgettable dumplings, cheap Chinese food in Manhattan has never been more exciting—or affordable.
Hungry yet? Bookmark this list and eat your way through Chinatown like a savvy local.
