Try this lunch truck's tilapia. ($5) "An outsized chunk of the flaky white fish is fried and doused in a spicy sauce of stewed onions, peppers and herbs." Read more.
Check out the Taiwanese dumplings. ($6) "The beef, pork and chicken dumplings here are longer and skinnier than the variety normally found at the five-for-$1 shops in Chinatown, but no less tasty." Read more.
"These flatbread delicacies are delicious, combining a flavorful curry with sharp tamarind sauce and spice. Three are most certainly enough for a filling lunch, making this an economic dream" ($1.25). Read more.
"The grandma slice ($2.75) is loaded with garlic over a bed of fresh mozzarella. It’ll leave your mouth tingling. The sauce is specially made for this pie, burnt a bit to torque the flavor." Read more.
"Mexican Coke ($1) can be elusive, but Indian Coke? Get a real sugar bite way in the back of the Apna Bazar." Read more.
Try the pork floss bun ($1.25). "The top of the bun is flaky and layered, while the bottom is dense and chewy. Inside, Taiwanese dried pork shavings puff up the bread like a decorative couch pillow."
Try the ragu arancino ($3), which "reveal rich, cheesy secrets...these flavors sing beneath their crisp exterior and the not-too-tender risotto."
"Amid the mostly meaty options, the “Guayanesa Tropical” ($6) arepa holds its own, bolstered by a rich combination of fried sweet plantains, creamy wedges of avocado, and firm, mild Guyanese cheese." Read more.
Check out the jumbo chicken kar-jaebi noodle soup. ($9.99) "It’s so chicken-y, it serves as a reliable reminder of what the bird can and should taste like." Read more.
"Try the fahsa salta, a fenugreek seed-laced stew of celery, onion, potato, tomato and shredded beef cooked in broth that—so the story goes—has its origins in the Turkish occupation." Read more.
Try the "Wangding" ($4.50). "Topping a hot dog with more meat may sound like overkill, but opting for the BBQ pork belly, cucumber and scallion only makes the frank better." Read more.
Don't miss the "pecel lele (“Peh-chel Lay-lay”)—tenderized, marinated, deep-fried catfish. The chili sauce, inflected with shrimp paste, is finger-lickin’ good." Read more.
Check out the falafel platter ($7). "This falafel is fresh and light, while the pita is fluffy. Throw in some of their lemony hummus, and you might find yourself thinking about this falafel for days." Read more.
"A perfectly crisp baguette, chewy roast pork, fresh cold cuts and pickled veggies...Ba Xuyen's #1 ($4) has them all and more."
Try ox tongue and tripe. "Thin, beefy slices and springy ribbons of stomach taste like more than humble offal when drenched in fiery chili oil and dusted in Sichuan peppercorns and raw minced garlic." Read more.
"Banana leaf's asam laksa ($5.95) starts with an intense combination of sour and spicy flavors within a base of lemongrass broth." Two types of noodles and much more make for an incredible soup.
Try the “Haus Bao” ($3.50), endowing Creekstone beef cheek with the flavors of a classic Taiwanese street snack, it's especially tasty. Read more.
"The lambajin’s ($8.50) browned topping crumbles into juicy, meaty morsels with each bite, its sweet-and-savory flavor dominated by well done lamb and tomato." Read more.
"The leopard-spotted crust remains remarkably pliant in support of pockets of ricotta, while caramelized onions and sesame seeds elevate the too-often bland white slice ($3.50) to a higher realm." Read more.
"What you should really try is the Choinkwich ($6), an ice cream sandwich made with chocolate cookies from the Treats Truck, chocolate soft serve ice cream and a layer of Bacon Marmalade." Read more.
Try the baked pork bun. "The diced pork filling, tender and moist, comes win a sweet BBQ-style sauce that's bursting with flavor." Read more.
Try two kathi rolls ($6). "Fillings include chicken, lamb or vegetarian, but communication is rocky, so what you get may be a surprise. As long as you can take some spice, it’s all good." Read more.
"A thin coat of sugar brushed atop each blueberry muffin ($2.25) glistens just slightly on a sunny morning, and when your teeth penetrate the surface, they’re met with a confident crunch." Read more.
Try the iddiappams ($8), "delicately steamed wheat noodle patties, that come with a serving of sambhar & coconut chutney on the side. They taste even better with an order of mutton curry for dipping." Read more.
Try the rotisserie chicken. "Dressed with lemon, garlic, herbs and spices, then roasted perfectly, it’s just the kind of chicken dinner you’d put on the table if you had the time." Read more.
"At Brother’s, nearly everyone orders a regular slice—oregano-tinged, thick-sauced and well heated over a smokey, crackling crust." Read more.
"These amazing kutabs ($2), flour pancakes stuffed with lamb or greens, pan fried in butter and topped with sumac, are filled with tender lamb or a blend of spinach, parsley, dill and green onion." Read more.
Try the chicken biscuit ($6.50). It's a sandwich "built for curing a hangover." Read more.
Chao Thai’s flat noodles are exceptionally delicate and firm—almost perky—and totally free of gloppy, sweet sauces. Enjoy the subtly mingled flavors of garlic, squid and that smoky wok essence. Read more.
"The cabbage chebureki ($1.85) contains a piquant mixture of cabbage and pureed tomato, while the mushroom variety is filled with tender, deeply savory bits of seasoned funghi." Read more.
The oyster po' boy ($8.50) "is fully “dressed,” which on a New Orleans sandwich denotes the addition of lettuce, tomato, mayo & pickles, and, on Orchard St., also calls for Tabasco, ketchup & lemon." Read more.
"The “House Special Salad” ($3.50) is stunningly perfect: Glass noodles, carrots, seaweed & chopped scallions accompany a hot & numbing dressing with a vinegary zip. Your mouth will buzz for hours." Read more.
Try the Cookies and Cream Sundae ($6.95), which mixes crisp chunks of three types of cookies with vanilla bean soft serve. "Just make sure to share with one or two people; the portion is huge." Read more.
"The eponymous cemita ($8) is a beast of a sandwich, stuffed to the gills with perfectly spicy chorizo, ham, tender pork, quesillo, and a single egg." Read more.
The "shining star" is bi-bim naengmyun ($8.00), "a cold dish of spicy buckwheat noodles. The accompanying paste is mildly spicy, but very chewy & slippery. What sets this version apart is the sesame." Read more.
The "Nuno" is the one to try ($9.95). "It’s an inspired concoction of blood sausage, broccoli rabe, mozzarella and fixins, scrunched between City Sandwich’s superbly crusty and fresh sandwich rolls." Read more.
Natto (fermented soybean) on "cold soba is mixed with egg, soy, onions and crushed sesame seeds. This dish is an amazing taste experience, sour and sweet and salty at the same time." ($8.50). Read more.
"Don't miss" the salt-baked squid ($9.95). It's "a mountainous pile of lightly battered and tender chunks of crisp, well seasoned cephalopod." Read more.
Check out the frittata ($3.50). "Fluffy, yellow eggs are baked together with young spring peas, chunks of asparagus and sliced shallots on a tender potato crust." Read more.
The infamous $1 Peking duck sandwich "a taste of heaven, cradling a bit of duck blanketed by hoisin and topped with green onion." Read more.
Try the "Sheek Kebab Combo Platter" ($4.95). They're "juicy and flavorful on their own, but they’re best when wrapped in made-to-order naan, creating a kind of Indian burrito." Read more.
"The true Malaysian flapjack is apam balik, a popular hawker snack filled with sweet corn and ground peanuts" ($1.50). Read more.
"Lo mai gai is interspersed with various goodies. Though a dim sum staple, it’s rarely seen in our fair city’s Malaysian eateries, but Flushing’s Curry Leaves serves an exemplary version" ($2.50). Read more.
The "hidden gem" is the apple fritter ($2.25). "Crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, studded with apple pieces and covered in sweet glaze, this beauty clocks in at well over a half pound." Read more.
"These sandwiches rival any in town. Order up the pastrami and no one will bat an eye if you have it on white bread with mayo. Even the “small” ($6) will ensure a full stomach." Read more.
Always be on the lookout for the house porchetta, "a generous portion of crisp, fatty, salty pork strewn with herbs and celery." Read more.
Get the Prosciutto & Ricotta ($8). "The salty, well-marbled La Quercia prosciutto is considered some of the world’s best. Topped with tangy, fresh Salvatore Bklyn ricotta & sweet sun-dried tomatoes." Read more.
"Every flavor is handcrafted, but the standout is maple walnut: rich, buttery, filled with nuts. Hot fudge is unnecessary on a scoop this beautiful" ($5.50). Read more.
"Walk in on a Saturday and you'll be rewarded by the scent of a deep cauldron of carnitas simmering before you." Try them on a picadita ($3), available only on weekends. Read more.
"Tender chunks of lengua layered with ripe avocado slices, crema, red onions, chopped iceberg lettuce, mashed black beans and white cheese in a toasted sesame seed roll makes for a hefty cemita." Read more.
Try El Gallo Giro, which serves up a "whopping big torta" ($6). "Adventurous eaters should order the torta de lengua, constructed with slowly braised and triumphantly meaty beef tongue." Read more.
"Try the roasted pork plate ($7), served with a plate of tostones (fried green plantain), as men with machetes hack away at whole pigs behind the counter." Read more.
Get the maduro y mozzarella empanada ($1.75). "Somehow the sweet plantains & mozzarella work wonderfully well together, creating a sweet, creamy, cheesy center surrounded by a crisp, crunchy shell." Read more.
"Estrellita’s champurrado, a rich, hominy flour and chocolate-based beverage, is thick as pudding. If you’re looking for a jolt, try the soothing café de olla." Read more.
The "goat pepper soup is some serious stuff, almost as if a goat was hacked up and thrown in a pot." Unlike Festac's more accessible counterparts, it is heavy on the offal. Dive right in!" Read more.
The Marinara a la Starita pie ($9) is "a three-component dish: a zesty, herbal tomato sauce amped up with garlic and spices atop a perfectly pliant, charred crust with a stray leaf of basil." Read more.
Try the fried chicken drumstick. "Crunch your way thought the drumstick’s crispy shell, and you’ll be rewarded with juicy, moist chicken meat." Read more.
For dessert, try the ba si ($8.95). "Cubes of taro are fried until lightly crisp, tossed in caramelized sugar and brought straight to the table, where wisps of candy trail each piece." Read more.
"These fried balls of ricotta, mozzarella, provolone and prosciutto covered in light bread crumbs ($1) are amazingly grease-free and strangely light — not to mention, highly addictive." Read more.
Order the seolleongtang (bone soup). "Itss simplicity is deceptive, but fish around in the milky bone broth, and you'll encounter slabs of beef, light wheat noodles and tender white rice." Read more.
"Going early on a weekend will ensure a cheesy, buttery round of khachapuri ($6) straight from the oven. There are few purer pleasures to be found in the city, or in life." Read more.
The chicken thigh teriyaki is right choice here ($7.75). "The beautifully plump, juicy, organic teriyaki chicken thigh is served over white or brown rice with crisp and fresh side salad." Read more.
Try the katsu curry ($7.50). "Flavored with pureed apples, ketchup, curry powder and garam masala, the brown gravy is sweet and mild & is popularly topped with tonkatsu, a breaded, fried pork cutlet." Read more.
"The pan de muertos ($1) - buttery, mildly sweet Mexican pastries, typically served on Mexico's 'Day of the Dead' holiday - are available year-round here." Read more.
Get the spare rib noodle soup ($5.00). "While a juicy slab of pork that practically falls off the bone is the star of the show, the topping of minced, salted vegetable is a strong supporting actor." Read more.
Try the Cambodian Noodes. "Available in rice or egg form, the chewy noodles lay a foundation for fish balls, shrimp and sliced and ground pork garnished with chopped scallions and cilantro." Read more.
"Use the large salad bar, full of fresh and pickled veggies, to top the crisp and tasty falafel balls ($5.39). The beautiful inclusion of french fries or “chips” make this sandwich even better." Read more.
"Jjajangmyeon that staple of every Korean American’s childhood, is brought to new heights at Guh Song for a mere $5.50." Read more.
Try the "Gül böreği" ($7.50/lb), "an eggy pastry that is more quiche-like than flaky, comes stuffed with spinach and feta, potato or spinach and ground beef." Read more.
Try lǘ dǎ gǔn, (translation: "Donkey Rolling on the Ground"), "a cake of sticky rice rolled in cooked soybean powder and stuffed with homemade red bean paste." Read more.
"Try the tikka with Halal Gyro’s fantastic green sauce, and bring a book—these Afghani dishes are cooked to order." Read more.
"Samgyetang ($7) is typically made with chicken stuffed with glutinous rice and chestnuts. Here, the half bird served in a bubbling hot broth is listed on the menu as panax stew chick soup (half)." Read more.
Try the pork pancake, which holds "a decent helping of minced pork that is doused liberally with hoisin sauce and topped with cilantro." Don't forget to add chili oil! Read more.
'Fried masala noodles—simply sauteed with egg, scallion, carrot & your meat of choice—may not sound like much. It’s the masala, heavy on coriander & chile, that makes this dish so special. ($8.50)." Read more.
Try the 'Franky' sandwich ($8.99) - "a chicken cutlet coated with Italian-seasoned breading and crushed garli stuffed into a baguette" - and top it with schug, a chunky Yemeni chile relish. Read more.
Hot and sour sweet potato noodles are actually vermicelli, but forgive the misnomer and just enjoy the mouth-numbing slippery noodles in hot chili-oil broth, with ground beef, peanuts and cilantro. Read more.
Get the pork chop over rice ($5). "A fatty slab of a pork chop is pounded thin & fried until golden brown, then paired with white rice & a sauce comprised of coarse ground pork & pickled vegetables." Read more.
"No matter how many farm-to-table renditions of pork belly you’ve tried, lechon kawali, uncured bacon deep-fried and cut into cubes, is a simple delight" ($7.75).
Try the salsiccia e burro pasta ($5.99). It's 'brimming with sausage and bacon," but is "balanced by a chunky tomato sauce that may make you ask for bread to sop up the last bits." Read more.
You must try the burger ($9.75). It's griddled and features "juicy and flavorful loosely packed patties on simple toasted white buns." Read more.
"Kering kentang are a Javanese version of crunchy spuds tossed with chili peppers, sugar, peanuts and fried shallots. There’s also a goodly amount of salt and a touch of sweet soy sauce" ($2.50). Read more.
Try bing bika ambon ($3.50 for three). "Resembling a corn muffin in size and color, it has a spongy texture and pronounced, yeasty flavor, enriched by plenty of coconut milk." Read more.
John Brown's pork spare ribs ($8 for 1/4 slab) "are not messy or reliant on sauce; the flavor and smoky aroma stand on their own bones."
"The rich, smoky flavor of the jerk sinks deep within the still moist chicken ($6), but it’s the spicy sweet jerk sauce that will catch your attention with its lingering heat." Read more.
Usually available on Sundays, cow foot soup ($5) is a good introduction to Atlantic Coast Panamanian cuisine (less Latin, more African), in which you do not actually have to eat the foot. Read more.
Try the bulgogi kimchi rice bowl. "The rice is fragrant, while the grilled beef is meaty, juicy, well caramelized and complimented by pickled radish for crunch and zest. " Read more.
"If you’re looking for the finest slice in all of Manhattan, you’ll probably want to keep looking. If you’re looking for the greatest cost-value slice in the entire city, Koronet delivers" ($3.75). Read more.
Look to the lamb shawarma spit, "where layers upon layers of fatty lamb meat roast in their own juices." A sizeable shawarma wrap will set you back $6.
At L & L, the "carb-heavy plate lunches are the textbook definition of gut bomb." Get the Loco Moco ($6.99), "a thin hamburger patty smothered in brown gravy and topped with a fried egg." Read more.
"The tamales are generously stuffed with chicken and a spoonful of spicy salsa, either red or green. The masa is perfectly cooked—not too dry or too wet—and wrapped up tightly in a corn husk" ($1). Read more.
"With bits of roasted pork throughout, the Peruvian-style Chinese fried rice (mixed with lots of green sauce, of course) along with the chicken is the best thing on the menu" ($5.20). Read more.
"The beef lamprais ($9.50) combines fragrant basmati rice and cashews, onion sambal, eggplant, deep-fried tuna fish-and-potato cutlets and seasoned beef all steamed together in a banana leaf." Read more.
Here, you can get 12 pork & chive dumplings for $3. "Thin skins, fried perfectly crisp, yield to your bite to reveal juicy nuggets of pork and chives so flavorful that no sauce is necessary." Read more.
"Tender yet chewy hand-pulled wheat noodles, rice noodles, tofu skin, wood-ear mushrooms, bits of well-done lamb and a pinch of cilantro come together in an impossibly intoxicating broth" ($4). Read more.
Try the home style sauteed scallion pancakes, consisting of "scallion pancakes sliced into thick, noodle-like ribbons, then stir-fried with beef, ham, egg, and cabbage." Read more.
Try the thukpa ($5). "The noodles are obviously pre-packaged, but the pile of greens and crumbled beef on top of this bone-broth soup make it nearly impossible to complain." Read more.
"The best of the bunch is corned beef, complete with Freddy’s luscious Russian dressing and sauerkraut. If you’ve got company, order a side of homemade coleslaw or mushroom barley soup for spooning." Read more.
"This rendition of Welsh Rarebit ($6.50) has a spicy kick with pepper, aged cheddar, and beer combining for a forthright flavor, and stout slices of toasted country bread are extra, extra-absorbent." Read more.
Focaccia is the specialty here, and Lorusso's traditional focaccia ($5), "topped only with slices of tomato, sea salt and olive oil, is the best of the lot." Read more.
"Notice the generous movement of cheese, especially when folding the slice, exposing dimples formed from the crust-warping sauce. It’s a fun, burn-the-roof-of-your-mouth slice." Read more.
"Old school, new school, who cares? Honesty, integrity, quality ingredients and pride is what makes Luigi’s one of the best pies in the city. Start with a regular ($2.25) or a fresh mozzarella slice." Read more.
"The Qingdao cold "noodles" are sliced into long, rectangular cubes and served with shredded carrots, cucumber, cilantro, a generous dose of garlic and tangy black vinegar" ($5). Read more.
Try the steamed rice noodles with spicy fried fish balls, "topped with a sweet and salty mix of peanut sauce, hoisin, soy sauce and a sprinkling of sesame seeds." Read more.
The Grandma slice is your best best ($2.75). "Covered in crushed tomato sauce and fragrant garlic, it's love at first sight." Read more.
"Crispy pata, literally “crispy foot,” has been fried to a shattering crunchiness. This version is exemplary, with tons of succulent meat beneath the burnished exterior" ($9.50). Read more.
Try the Mac and Cheese Empanada ($1.25). "Elbow pasta is mixed with a cheesy sauce that, depending on who you are, will channel either your inner child or inner stoner." Read more.
Try the Mac and Cheese Empanada ($1.25). "Elbow pasta is mixed with a cheesy sauce that, depending on who you are, will channel either your inner child or inner stoner." Read more.
Try the Mac and Cheese Empanada ($1.25). "Elbow pasta is mixed with a cheesy sauce that, depending on who you are, will channel either your inner child or inner stoner." Read more.
"The chewy crust of the kiymali pide curls around seasoned ground lamb, but you can also procure a pide featuring sheep’s milk cheese, egg and dried-beef sausage, or spit-roasted sliced lamb" ($8.50). Read more.
Try the sliders ($2.50 each). "The patties are pressed into a cast iron griddle with onions, flipped, and topped with cheese, which is then left to steam underneath the bun until gooey and soft." Read more.
"Kumpir ($8.17) is a baked potato that's as large as a small child’s head and topped with ketchup and mayo. Take it from the menu, which literally reads, “YOU SHOULD TASTE THIS, once in your life.” Read more.
Try "ever-so-slightly spicy pork meatballs that melt away under a cloud of Parmesan cream sauce, helping temper the heat. Dip the accompanying focaccia liberally into the bowl." Read more.
Try "ever-so-slightly spicy pork meatballs that melt away under a cloud of Parmesan cream sauce, helping temper the heat. Dip the accompanying focaccia liberally into the bowl." Read more.
Try "ever-so-slightly spicy pork meatballs that melt away under a cloud of Parmesan cream sauce, helping temper the heat. Dip the accompanying focaccia liberally into the bowl." Read more.
Avoid the steamed roast pork buns here and stick with the famous baked version. "These soft, lightly glazed buns don’t skimp on the saucy, sweet and savory roast pork filling." Read more.
"The chana bhatura daily special ($6.25) is worth the wait. The curry is moderately spiced & served with a side of cool raita, tamarind sauce & chutney. The made-to-order poofy poori makes the meal." Read more.
Try the grilled pork chop sandwich ($8): "tender, thin slices of pork, brushed with a bit of sweet hoisin and quickly grilled, paired with a mango chutney and irresistibly crunchy, fresh bread." Read more.
Try the grilled pork chop sandwich ($8): "tender, thin slices of pork, brushed with a bit of sweet hoisin and quickly grilled, paired with a mango chutney and irresistibly crunchy, fresh bread." Read more.
Try the grilled pork chop sandwich ($8): "tender, thin slices of pork, brushed with a bit of sweet hoisin and quickly grilled, paired with a mango chutney and irresistibly crunchy, fresh bread." Read more.
Try salty soy milk ($3.20), "a Taiwanese dish that introduces vinegar to soy milk, causing the milk to curdle into pillowy clouds of tofu." Note: Nan Bei He is literally inside King 5 Noodle. Read more.
Though known for their XLB, "don’t overlook the Pan Fried Pork Buns. A juicy pork meatball is housed inside a tender and fluffy bun, with a golden fried bottom. It’s the pot sticker of steamed buns." Read more.
Try the avocado and sweet potato sandwich ($6.50), "enough to make any meat lover crave a vegetarian meal." Read more.
"Order a sampler of the half-dozen bhartas ($3.99) available on any given day with a huge charred roti to enjoy a spicy, boldly flavored meal." Read more.
"The sauce arachide ($10) is similar to other West African mafes (meats in peanut sauce), but New Ivoire's has a more subtle approach, allowing other flavors to surface." Read more.
"The pho ga ($7) has a clean-tasting broth, spiked with black pepper, takes center stage here; no Sriracha is required, though a fistful of pickled chilies can back up that flavor with a slow burn." Read more.
The fish taco ($2.75) "is simple food at its best: mild, white fish lightly seasoned & fried, then topped with fresh chunks of tomato, onion & green pepper and served on freshly made corn tortillas." Read more.
The “hot pot rice” arrives steaming, sizzling & topped with your choice of meats. Try pork with salted fish. Drizzle plenty of extra-thick soy sauce over the pot & add a splash of roasted chili oil. Read more.
Try the Baked Salmon Dinner ($9.50). "The creamy red pepper sauce that tops this lightly cooked fish combines with the other tastes on the plate very nicely." Read more.
Try the Paris Speciall, a banh mi stuffed with pork roll, ham and headcheese. "Visit during the lunch hour; while it’s their busiest time, it also guarantees the freshest sandwich possible." Read more.
Get the toasted coconut donut ($1). A perfectly fluffy yeast doughnut lightly glazed and generously sprinkled with pieces of nutty, toasted coconut shavings. Sweet, messy, and unpretentious." Read more.
Try the "farmer's slice" ($3.50). "Aligning with their many mantras, this slice is funky, marrying slick onions with the sweetness of real, irregular corn kernels. This slice may change you." Read more.
"Miang kana bundles together fresh ginger, red onion, roasted peanuts, toasted coconut, dried shredded pork, fish sauce, palm sugar and lime juice with betel or Chinese broccoli leaves" ($9.95). Read more.
Try the potato pancakes ($5.25). "Spiked with onion and garlic, these golden, freshly pan-fried cakes are crisp outside and moist and soft inside." Read more.
"One of Astoria’s finest, this quick shop is the epitome of a New York slice: casual, quick, greasy, cheesy and best tasted while folded in your hand" ($2.50). Read more.
Try the beef momo ($5). "Jammed with juicy ground beef and bound by thick, toothsome dumpling skin, each momo is kept wonderfully moist by a dash of beef broth." Read more.
"This panino is stuffed with homemade meatloaf, mashed potato, Vermont cheddar cheese and gravy in hand-crafted ciabatta and then pressed into crispness" ($10). Read more.
"This panino is stuffed with homemade meatloaf, mashed potato, Vermont cheddar cheese and gravy in hand-crafted ciabatta and then pressed into crispness" ($10). Read more.
Try the pork torta ($7), "with layers and layers of pork, avocado, jalapenos and oaxacan cheese." Read more.
Go for the samosa and chickpeas chaat ($4). "Crisp samosas are split open and doused in spicy stewed chickpeas, tangy yogurt, sweet tamarind-date chutney, spicy cilantro chutney and raw onions." Read more.
Try Sukhothai pork noodle soup ($7 lunch, $9 dinner). "Sweet slices of roasted pork are nestled amongst crunchy long beans and crumbles of ground pork, the dish is lavishly topped with cracklings." Read more.
"Robicelli’s cupcakes ($3-$5) are always well executed, never too sweet, and topped with a silky French buttercream that puts the world of overkill cupcake frosting to shame." Read more.
Go for the Pinakbet ($9.95), "jam-packed with squash, tomatoes, green beans, bitter melon & eggplant—a variety of textures and flavors ranging from sweet to sour—with a salty edge from shrimp paste." Read more.
Sal and Carmine’s plain slice ($2.50) is a local legend. "The light sauce is at one with olive oil, with a slightly tangy flavor that blends seamlessly with a generous layer of whole fat mozzarella." Read more.
Try the Crack and Cheese ($9). "The crisp fried gnocchi that arrive are melty on the inside, tossed in an oozy white béchamel and generously topped with bacon. It’s as addictive as its name implies." Read more.
"With just three vegetarian ingredients—ultra-creamy ricotta, loosely scrambled eggs, and salt-studded, homemade foccacia—the Ships Biscuit ($9) will satisfy even avowed carnivores." Read more.
"The quiet star of the show is lagman ($4.50), a tomato broth filled with homemade hand-pulled noodles and topped with tender beef chunks and loads of vegetables." Read more.
"The lamb and chicken gyro ($3), rife with large chunks of juicy meat, lovingly drizzled with a fiery red hot sauce and a creamy white sauce, and wrapped in a fluffy pita, is an absolute steal." Read more.
Try the Souper Soup. "Sitting in the heady chicken broth, which demands no salt, are a hearty beef kreplach, noodles and a gigantic matzoh ball that straddles the line between floater and sinker." Read more.
Try the sheng jian bao ("fried tiny buns"). "A ball of savory minced pork and broth are encased in a bready shell, then fried to a crisp on the bottom and sprinkled with sesame seeds on the top." Read more.
Try the xiao long bao (soup dumplings). "At just the right thickness, the soup dumplings’ skins ensure that both beginner and expert can pluck them effortlessly from the steamer." Read more.
"The baked salmon salad works really well with a warm, toasty bagel; in one bite, the combination is cool, warm, crunchy and soft. The salad tastes fresh and will satisfy any salmon lover." Read more.
Try the pan-fried peel noodles. Each plate "comes standard with bok choy and egg, but try these noodles with slices of stewed beef for extra heft and serious flavor." Read more.
Sample the mini pretzels ($3). "Warm, airy and tasty, these mini pretzels make the perfect afternoon snack. Try the garlic parsley, paired with a honey mustard dip." Read more.
"The unassuming gang at Malaysian Beef Jerky has mastered the art of making dried meat gentle on your jaw." Try the namesake beef jerky to see what we mean. Read more.
"This Israeli couscous ($2.99/lb) takes its flavors from Bollywood. Flavored with Indian spices, raisins and red peppers, it whisks you away to India from your first bite." Read more.
"Go to the source, an unassuming bodega in Borough Park, and ogle the rainbow of more than 30 flavors of paletas ($1) stacked in the freezer case." Read more.
Try the sweet potato and peanut pastries, sold by the pair and "filled with sweet potato, crushed peanut and some cryptic candied-looking tidbits." Read more.
Try the Lychee Snowy ($4). "Shaved ice with the creaminess of ice cream and the fluffiness of cotton candy, it needs to be experienced to be understood." Read more.
"Nothing’s quite as comforting on a bitter winter day as a bowl of dou fu fa—fresh tofu curds served creamy, nutty and lashed with sweet syrup. Add a you tiao for a mere $2.50 more." Read more.
Try the scallion and egg fried rice, "tinted green from fragrant scallion oil and speckled with bits of fried egg and fresh scallions." It's a pro tip from the owner herself. Read more.
Try the corned beef hash, "served with two eggs, toast and potatoes, an order costs barely over $5 and is packed with beefy flavor." Read more.
"Pljeskavica ($8) is an abnormally large Bosnian “burger” inside of two delicious pitas. Lather it down with kaymak (a type of cream) and ajvar (a spicy Serbian relish) before digging in." Read more.
Even meat easter should try the boiled vegetable dumplings, which are "juicy, soft, and stuffed with fresh greens, scrambled egg and flecks of pressed tofu." Read more.
Try the pizza bianca ($2). "This light slab of chewy and crispy Roman-style flatbread comes topped with extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and rosemary. No other ingredients required." Read more.
Try the cheung fun rice roll ($2.50), "a thin piece of rice noodle that has been steamed, rolled up and then usually stuffed with beef or shrimp. Sunkist Bakery’s are smooth, silky and made to order." Read more.
Try the "Pho Real" ($7), which combines "fresh sliced Boar’s Head roast beef, basil, cilantro, sprouts, tomato and avocado...to capture the essence of the Vietnamese noodle soup in sandwich form." Read more.
At Sunnyside pizza, "It’s all about their throwback sesame seed crust and small town friendliness. Who says Queens doesn’t have good pizza?" Read more.
One thing that sets Super Taste apart from its competition is the amazing Mount Qi noodles: "a bright red, almost glowing, bowl of hand-pulled noodles with some really incredible spicing." Read more.
Try the pambazo ($6), a "gut-busting Mexican sandwich" filled with potatoes, chorizo, avocado, refried beans, queso fresco and lettuce, then dipped in a red guajillo pepper sauce and seared. Read more.
Try the green falafel sandwich, "The flavorful green falafel–fried mashed chickpea mixed with parsley, mint, and cilantro–are moist on the inside, and lightly crisp on the outside." Read more.
There are tons of cheap and tasty options here, but start with wonton soup. "The delicate, oversized wontons, dotted with a single stud of ground pork filling, bob in a thick, savory broth. Read more.
Try the cemita with milanesa ($6.75), "a sandwich that packs refried beans, lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, chipotles, fried cutlets and a pile of fresh Mexican cheese into a sesame-seeded bun." Read more.
"You won’t find battered, overwhelming fish tacos here, just simple, fresh, pan-fried tilapia topped with cabbage slaw and salsa on 6″ tortillas. It’s perfect for a mid-afternoon snack." Read more.
On weekends, try the pancita ($8) with a side of fresh tortillas. "The steaming bowl of spicy orange broth is filled with large chunks of honeycomb tripe that’s tender enough to cut with a spoon." Read more.
Try the assam laksa ($5,95), "a tart, pungent, spicy broth spiked with tamarind, dried shrimp paste and chilies, then filled with thick glass noodles, chunks of fish, pineapple, cucumber and onion." Read more.
Try the chicken wings. "Glazed with a sweet and tangy soy sauce, their wings possess a mellow flavor, but the reason their wings are like crack is how perfectly they’re fried." Read more.
Try the torta with chicken ($6), "which delivers a fistful of tender chicken, melty fresh quesillo, an appealing smear of avocado, and fiery pickled peppers." Read more.
Try the 'This Way' sandwich ($5.50), "Slowly roasted beef round is sliced paper thin and served on a sesame studded roll, a hearty au jus is ladled on, and lashings of cheese whiz are then applied." Read more.
If it's available, try the "flavor pot" pork tongue ($3), which is creamy and aromatic. While little English is spoken here, point at the tongue and you shall receive. Read more.
"One of the best menu options is the Spicy Rizzak ($9), a stack of sliced turkey, crispy bacon bits, melted cheddar, raw tomato, raw onion and chipotle mayo on fragrantly nutty sesame semolina bread." Read more.
Pass on the pizza and try Albanian burek, especially the pumpkin burek. "Tony & Tina’s pumpkin burek has an unusual, spiraled shape and does not need the customary yogurt on the side for dipping." Read more.
Try the roasted turkey sandwich ($9), which features "thick cut slabs of turkey breast, juicy and flavorful from a long marinade in garlic, honey and other herbs and spices." Read more.
Try the doubles ($1). "In addition to tamarind sauce and scotch bonnet-laced pepper sauce, the folks at Trini Gul serve this classic street food with a tangy cucumber chutney and dried mango kuchela." Read more.
Try the spicy beef noodle soup ($5.50). The handmade noodles are fantastic, and Zhou's "clean-tasting beef broth, stunned with Sichuan peppercorn, lingers on the tongue with a citrus-accented heat." Read more.
Try the lamb noodle soup ($5.75), with knife shaved noodles, "made by chipping away at a block of dough to form irregular shards of dough." They're an excellent match the milky, lamb-based broth. Read more.
Try the roast pork over rice ($3), "stuffed to the gills with fluffy white rice, a few decorative pieces of broccoli, and more roast pork than should physically fit into the volume of the box." Read more.
Try the Saoto ($6), "a bowl filled with shredded chicken, potatoes, sprouts, peppers, cilantro, onion, and a hard-boiled egg." Try it with the accompanying spicy sauce for maximum flavor. Read more.
Try the currywurst ($7). "A veal and pork bratwurst, cut up and served with fries and a homemade, tomato-based curry sauce, is the perfect snack food while drinking German beers." Read more.
Try the pernil with beans and rice ($9.25). "The pork is on the greasy side – all the better to be mixed with rice and beans." Read more.
Try wontons in chili oil ($4.50). "One bite will leave you momentarily speechless." Read more.
Try Spicy Hot Oil Seared Hand-Ripped Noodles. "A hefty plate of hand-torn carbs stir-fried in red-hot chili oil, scallions, cumin and spices until every inch is coated in a thin film of liquid heat." Read more.
Try Spicy Hot Oil Seared Hand-Ripped Noodles. "A hefty plate of hand-torn carbs stir-fried in red-hot chili oil, scallions, cumin and spices until every inch is coated in a thin film of liquid heat." Read more.
Try Spicy Hot Oil Seared Hand-Ripped Noodles. "A hefty plate of hand-torn carbs stir-fried in red-hot chili oil, scallions, cumin and spices until every inch is coated in a thin film of liquid heat." Read more.
Try Spicy Hot Oil Seared Hand-Ripped Noodles. "A hefty plate of hand-torn carbs stir-fried in red-hot chili oil, scallions, cumin and spices until every inch is coated in a thin film of liquid heat." Read more.
Try the sweet and sour dumpling soup ($4.25), "a red-hot, delicious mess of chili oil, pork broth, and thinly wrapped dumplings." Read more.
Try num tok koy ($9), a Thai steak tartare not served at Manhattan's Z.E. "The mound of ground lean beef is seasoned with roasted chili powder, lime juice, kaffir lime leaf, onion, mint and cilantro." Read more.
Try the fried small buns, stuffed with a small morsel of pork. "These doughy, juicy wonders are stuffed into a small styrofoam square and waiting to be covered in vinegars and hot sauce." Read more.
