I’m not really sure why, but people often ask me for NYC recs. I mean, really? Really? If I told you to eat at Shake Shack every day you were there, would you? Because that’s totally what I would tell you to do. And when you get sick of it, if that’s even possible, I’d tell you to head down to the East Village and get a lobster roll.
Yeah, that’s pretty much it.
But honestly, people do ask me what to eat in NYC. I’ve only been there three times, and believe me I still have a tonne of places I need to get to, including the often-raved-about Eleven Madison Park. But when I’m there, I tend to steer away from the upper class establishments and find myself at street food joints, because if there’s one thing NYC is good at, it’s street food.
So if you still want to hear about my top 5 must-eats in the big apple? Here we go (in no particular order):
Shake Shack [blog post]
In my very humble opinion, Shake Shack make the best burgers anywhere in the world. They are simple, juicy, oozy on a nice soft bun. The original Shake Shack is located open-air in Madison Square Park, but if you’re an indoors kind of person, or if it’s the midst of winter, check out their Time Square/Mid Town West branch on the corner of 44th and 8th.
The burgers are pure awesomeness, and though the concrete shakes are a little too hardcore for me, everyone else seems to love them so, you know… go for it Oh, and the crinkle cut fries are a piece of crunchy heaven.
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Shake Shack
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Luke’s Lobster [blog post]
Ooooooh baby! Can you see that juicy lobster? Just look at it! God I want one now. So, Luke’s Lobster has a number of shops scattered around Manhattan, and I’ve been to three of them, but my favourite in terms of the location and interior is down in the East Village. It’s just so cute and tiny and perfectly appropriate for the eclectic and casual vibe down that end of town.
And the lobster rolls? I don’t really think I need to explain it. Pure simple perfection, on the most amazing toasted brioche bun you’ll ever have. And a big pickle, don’t forget the big pickle.
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Luke’s Lobster
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Momofuku [blog post]
When I say Momofuku here, I actually specifically mean the Momofuku steamed pork buns. Sure, Ippudo (see below) also do a steamed pork bun and I suppose it’s not up to me to tell you which one to like more, but I tried them both and I like Momofuku’s better. It’s in the sauce, you’ll see what I mean.
There are four Momofuku’s in NYC, from their dessert arm, Milk Bar, to the upper end Momofuku Ko which still leaves me aching for possibly the best thing I’ve ever put in my food hole – the shaved foie gras. Man, that shaved foie gras! Thankfully, you can get the steamed pork buns at three of their branches – Ssam Bar, Noodle Bar and yes, even at Milk Bar. So go get one, or five, or maybe a dozen, because they are that good.
By the way, Momofuku Noodle Bar’s ramen ain’t half bad too.
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Momofuku Ssäm Bar
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Momofuku Noodle Bar
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Momofuku Milk Bar
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Ippudo [blog post]
Ippudo are famous for their ramen the world over, with queues in NYC and across Asia. We showed up at 6pm and yes, we queued. For about an hour we waited patiently, eventually being rewarded with possibly one of the best ramens I’ve ever had. It’s the broth, the thick, flavoursome goodness and all the ingredients, of which you can order extra.
As mentioned, Ippudo also do their version of the steamed pork bun, so if you go here, make sure you try them!
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Ippudo
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KyoChon [blog post]
I can’t believe I’m recommending KyoChon as a must-eat for NYC (even the photo is fugly), but here it is! I’m only recommending it because I FRICKING LOVE IT and even though it’s this rather sterile, unattractive shop in K-town, you really should just go and have the fried chicken. Since I’ve had KyoChon (first time in LA, where they originate), I’ve searched the world over (ok, really just London and Sydney) for better fried chicken and I have come up with nothing. So, if you need a quick snack or a fried chicken meal, hit up KyoChon for something cheap and nasty and delicious!
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KyoChon
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So there you have it. My top five must-eats for NYC.
And now I want to go back to the big apple. Sigh.