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New Moon Chinese Restaurant
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
New Moon Chinese Restaurant
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
New Moon is a long-running Kips Bay Chinese restaurant focused on lo mein, fried rice, and classic combo plates for dine-in and delivery. It’s the kind of place nearby residents keep on speed dial for reliably hot, familiar dishes rather than surprises.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hong Kong-style pan-fried noodles, Kung Pao chicken, Beef with broccoli and house fried rice
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: Decades-old neighborhood Chinese spot with a deep menu and steady takeout service.
Who should go: Locals wanting classic lo mein, fried rice, and combo plates.
When to visit: Evenings for delivery or casual dine-in after work.
What to order: Pan-fried Hong Kong noodles, Kung Pao chicken, beef with broccoli.
Insider tip: Lunch specials are strong value; upgrade rice to fried rice if you’re hungry.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited metered spots nearby and tough after 6pm on weeknights.
Dress code: Very casual — jeans, hoodies, and work clothes all fit right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate — easy to hold a conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 10–25 minutes during peak dinner hours, shorter for takeout
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or under 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable lo mein, tofu dishes, mixed veggie stir-fries available.
Vegan options: Limited — can be done with vegetable and tofu dishes if you request no egg or oyster sauce.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some steamed dishes and rice-based plates work, but soy sauce is widely used.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a low-pressure, casual hang than a romantic first date — it’s comfortable but not atmosphere-driven.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — reservations aren’t really a thing here; it’s mostly walk-in with quick turnover.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — kids do well here thanks to familiar flavors, fast service, and easy dishes like fried rice and chicken with broccoli.
Best For
Better for: Reliable neighborhood Chinese delivery, fast service, and classic American-Chinese comfort food at budget prices.
Skip if: You’re looking for modern Chinese cuisine, upscale atmosphere, craft cocktails, or highly regional specialty cooking.
New Moon Chinese Restaurant
8.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
New Moon is the neighborhood’s go-to Chinese comfort spot, turning out big portions, combo platters, and takeout-friendly classics at very friendly prices. Thousands of app and review-platform ratings back up its reputation as a reliable, fast option for weeknight dinners and office lunches in Kips Bay.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sesame Chicken Combo Platter, General Tso's Chicken over Rice, Singapore Mei Fun
Scores:
Value: 9.3
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: High-volume Chinese comfort food with generous lunch and combo specials.
Who should go: Office workers and locals craving fast, filling Chinese plates.
When to visit: Weekday lunch for combo specials and fastest service.
What to order: Sesame chicken combo, Singapore mei fun, egg drop soup.
Insider tip: Order the lunch special before 4pm for maximum value.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and difficult after 6pm; nearby paid garages on 3rd Avenue and 2nd Avenue within 1–2 blocks.
Dress code: Very casual — jeans, work clothes, and takeout stops all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate — steady takeout traffic and dining chatter, but easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 15–25 minutes during peak dinner hours, mostly driven by takeout volume.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes typically, even during the lunch rush due to fast turnover.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple tofu and vegetable-based dishes, plus lo mein and fried rice options.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with custom vegetable and tofu orders; confirm sauces when ordering.
Gluten-free options: Limited — rice-based dishes and steamed options work, but soy-based sauces dominate most of the menu.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure meetup than a formal first date — it’s utilitarian, fast-paced, and focused on food over ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s primarily a walk-in spot with fast turnover, and reservations are not needed.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — straightforward меню items, big portions for sharing, and a relaxed environment make it easy for families with kids.
Best For
Better for: Huge portions, speedy service, and price-to-volume value compared with most nearby Chinese takeout spots.
Skip if: You’re looking for elevated regional Chinese cooking, stylish dining, or handcrafted specialty dishes.