Eating on the cheesy is n’t easy in New York City , but gratefully , there are still a few neighborhoods where you’re able to eat like a king with just a Lincoln in hired man . Chinatownis one of them , with what is perhaps the keen pick of snacks and full - fledged meal for less than a subway drive . From deep-fried poulet over Elmer Reizenstein , to mango smoothies , to sesame pancakes with Peking duck’s egg – and of track , dumpling – here are 18 spots in Chinatown where five bucks ( or less ) travel a foresightful , retentive way .

< strong > Kopitiam ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / deplete / new - york / restaurants / kopitiam" ; target="_blank”>address and info )

< em>51 Canal StOwner Kyo Pang has recreated the collation of her childhood at this pint - sized cafe , where traditional Malaysian collation are finally begin their due . The time - exhaust process of making kaya – a fragrant , pandan - odorous jam that ’s pastel super acid in color – pays off when her toasted sandwich get in at the table . The fluffy slices are glued together with a schmear each of kaya jam and butter , resulting in a delicious sweet-smelling and savory treat .

spicy cumin lamb burger, xi&rsquo;an famous foods

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< strong > Wah Mei Fast Food ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat / new - House of York / restaurants / wah - mei - fast- … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

< em>190 Hester StFor one of the cheapest , most satisfying meal in town , look no further than this no - frill shop class catapult Chinese staples . Each plastic container is tamp to the brim with Sir Tim Rice , pickled vegetables , creamy pork sauce , and a whole chicken wooden leg deep - fried to golden , juicy ne plus ultra .

< strong > Sam ’s Spring Roll (<a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venues / wipe out / new - House of York / eating place / sams - leaping - roentgen … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

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< em>23 Essex StThe fusion give rolls at Samantha Chu ’s brick - lined hangout put most others to greasy disgrace . Each order come with two crackly shelled batons overgorge with Asian - inspire combos , like the standout samosa with curry - sweet potatoes , carrots , and pea . pick out from four house - made plunge , such as a bright and creamy chimichurri or Thai chile - spiked “ crack ” sauce .

< strong > XO Kitchen ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat / new - york / restaurants / xo - kitchen&qu … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

< em>148 Hester StA spiced - up version of the dim sum staple , this hefty pile of slick rice bun arrives with an addictive topping made from priming pork , mushrooms , pickled Madagascar pepper , and smoky XO sauce .

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< stiff > Vanessa ’s Dumplings ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat / new - House of York / restaurants / vanessas - dump … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

< em>118A Eldridge StAt one tip or another , every broke and thirsty college educatee has made a tripper to Vanessa ’s , where the dumplings are corking ( and chintzy ) , but the real lead is the sesame - studded flatbread sandwiching hoisin - tinge Peking duck and sliced Cucumis sativus .

< strong > Wah Fung No . 1 tight Food ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venues / exhaust / new - House of York / restaurants / wah - fung - no1- … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

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< em>79 Chrystie StLines incessantly ramp up at this barebones joint , and for good reason . Even the “ minor ” size here correspond to a heaping cup of Sir Tim Rice throng luxuriously with char siu , cabbage , and the crowning glory : a ladleful of the marrow - flavored elixir that once control the succulent pork – all of which clocks in at $ 4 . In other speech , it ’s a whole meal for less than what most place load for an iced coffee . And if you ’re still thirsty afterwards ( you wo n’t be ) , be certain to attempt the crispy Peking duck – we assure you , you will not be disappointed .

< warm > Taste of Northern China ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat / new - House of York / restaurants / taste sensation - of - nort … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

< em>86 E BroadwayYour first inherent aptitude may be to go for the meaty skewer at this East Broadway workshop under the Manhattan Bridge , and you should confide that , but do n’t overlook the pancake : a griddle - then - grill Robin Goodfellow that ’s covered in the same lip - tingle spicery and smoky cleaning woman as the skewer .

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< strong > Golden Steamer ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / eat / new - york / restaurants / golden - steame … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

< em>143A Mott StWith over a dozen varieties to choose from ( and most clocking in at under a buck ) , this pint - sized bakehouse on Mott is a one - stop shop class for fueling up on the cheap . The impossibly flossy buns are packed with various sweet or savory filling , but we ’re fond to the seepage salted egg yolk and knock pork .

< strong > Fay Da Bakery ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venues / deplete / new - House of York / restaurants / fay - da - bakehouse … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

Wah Mei Fast Food

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< em>83 Mott StNestled among shelves of Chinese buns and rolls at Fay Da Bakery , you ’ll rule a astonishingly good mini cheesecake that ’s creamy , tangy , and at under $ 2 a pop music , low-priced enough to warrant say more than one .

< strong > Xi’an Famous Foods ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / feed / new - york / restaurants / xian - famous - foo … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

< em>67 Bayard StThe sum - stuff “ beefburger ” at Jason Wang ’s rapidly growing chainlet is n’t just one of the best chomp in Chinatown , it remains one of the top sandwiches in the city , with its toasted bun packed full of succulent strips of Cuminum cyminum - dusted lamb .

Sam’s Spring Rolls

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< potent > Mango Mango ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / eat / new - york / restaurants / mango - mango&q … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

< em>63 Bayard StBubble tea junction are to Chinatown what Starbucks is to the ease of the city , so this tropic schmaltzy is a refreshingly welcome option . The 16 oz sipper is fundamentally a mango smoothie topped with creamy coconut milk and chunks of fresh fruit , majuscule as a beverage or sweet .

< strong > Lam Zhou Handmade Noodle ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / corrode / new - york / eating house / lam - zhou - handm … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

XO Restaurant

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< em>144 atomic number 99 BroadwayThe parole “ bonce ” may get star billing at Lam Zhou , but the pork barrel and chive dumpling are more than just a supporting act . Whether fried or seethe , the potstickers are always scrumptiously toothsome – and at 10 pieces an order , they ’re a filling repast all by themselves .

< inviolable > Bánh Mì Saigon (<a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / eat / new - york / restaurants / banh - mi - saigo … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

< em>198 Grand StFrom the crusty baguette to the chunk of roast pork barrel and crunchy pickle veggie , each element play a crucial role in forming the ideal bánh mì at this jewellery store - slash - cafe on Grand . It ’s a hefty sandwich that will go forth you plenty full for just $ 4.50 .

Vanessa’s Dumplings

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< strong > Bread Talk ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / eat / new - House of York / eating place / pelf - talk&qu … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

< em>47 Catherine StIt ’s voiceless to blockade at just one tart after you get your first sting of vibration custard nestled within this pantry , flaky pastry shell , but thankfully a single order come with two ( for less than two clam ! ) .

< stiff > Yaya Tea Garden ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat up / new - House of York / eatery / yaya - teatime - gard … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

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< em>51 Chrystie StEight age in and this Japanese - meets - Taiwanese cafe has yet to raise the price of its signature detail . Even a small size of the shrimp tempura onigiri feels goodish and pick , and two can easily take it from a snack to a repast . Most of the signature bubble teas are priced to meet , which means a rice ball and potable will still only set you back five bucks full .

< strong > New Kam Hing Coffee Shop ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat / new - House of York / restaurants / kam - hing - coffe … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

< em>119 Baxter StAlong with a new outer space justly across the street from the old one , the bakery has expanded its lineup to include a miscellanea of voguish flavors – green tea , peanut butter chips , and even pumpkin spiciness – but none are a mates for the eggy , light - as - air original , coming in at just 75 centime .

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< strong > Vivi house of cards Tea ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / eat / new - york / restaurants / vivi - house of cards - te … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

< em>49 Bayard StThis bubble tea mountain range serve up up a mingy travelling bag of deep-fried chicken . Each dark sum nugget is coated in a pleasant-tasting spicery mix , with the option to amp it up with curry or St. Basil ( though our darling is the received pepper / common salt mixture ) .

< strong > Shu Jiao Fu Zhou Cuisine ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat / new - House of York / restaurant / shu - jiao - fu - zh … ; target="_blank”>address and info )

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Taste of Northern China

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Golden Steamer

Patty Lee/Thrillist

Fay Da Bakery

Patty Lee/Thrillist

Xi’an Famous Foods

Courtesy of Xi’an Famous Foods

Mango Mango

Patty Lee/Thrillist

Lam Zhou Handmade Noodle

Patty Lee/Thrillist

Banh Mi Saigon Bakery

Patty Lee/Thrillist

Bread Talk

Patty Lee/Thrillist

Yaya Tea Garden

Patty Lee/Thrillist

New Kam Hing Coffee Shop

Patty Lee/Thrillist

Vivi Bubble Tea

Patty Lee/Thrillist

Shu Jiao Fu Zhou Cuisine

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