Best Chinese Restaurants in East Village (10003)
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
CheLi (East Village)
High-end Shanghainese cooking with deep, glossy sauces and seafood-river fare.
Notable Picks
8.6
A polished Shanghainese dining room on St. Marks that balances banquet-style classics with precise, sauce-forward technique. The kitchen shines on rich braises and delicate river-region flavors, and the energetic room keeps it feeling like a special night out without turning stiff.
Must-Try Dishes:
Braised pork belly in chef special sauce, Fried pork tenderloin with sweet & sour sauce, Crispy duck (Xitang-style)
What makes it special: High-end Shanghainese cooking with deep, glossy sauces and seafood-river fare.
8.4
An upscale individual hot-pot experience with premium broths, a strong sauce bar, and a market-table feel. The ingredient quality and steady high-volume praise make it a confident pick for groups who want variety without sharing a pot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Thick-cut snowflake wagyu, Black truffle mushroom broth, Seafood platter
What makes it special: Personal hot pots with luxe broths and top-shelf meats.
A high-energy Sichuan spot built around bold mala flavors, smoky woks, and big-format share plates. Expect a lively, slightly chaotic St. Marks scene paired with reliably punchy spice and plenty of textural contrast.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sliced pork belly with chili garlic sauce, Sichuan cabbage & fish (sour pickle fish stew), Double cooked pork
What makes it special: Unapologetically spicy Sichuan cooking with serious wok fragrance.
8.0
A long-running East Village Sichuan standby that nails pantry-driven heat, numbing peppercorns, and comfort-leaning classics. It’s a dependable weeknight pick for fiery bowls and share plates without the fuss.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dan dan noodles, Dry pepper chicken, Cumin lamb
What makes it special: Well-seasoned Sichuan classics that stay reliable year to year.
Worthy Picks
#5
YGF Malatang
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Late Night Legends
Fast-casual, build-your-own malatang that brings hot-pot flavor into a solo-friendly bowl format. The ingredient bar is broad, broths are clean and spicy, and the quick turn makes it a reliable East Village comfort stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Custom malatang bowl (beef bone broth), Tomato broth bowl, House made yogurt drink
What makes it special: Choose-your-own malatang bowls with legit mala punch.
#6
The Bao
7.7
A soup-dumpling focused St. Marks staple with a huge menu spanning Shanghai and Sichuan comfort hits. It’s casual, BYOB-friendly energy with solid xiao long bao and plenty of fun fillings for repeat visits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soup dumplings (classic pork xiao long bao), Wontons in chili oil, Dan dan noodles
What makes it special: Big soup-dumpling variety in a laid-back St. Marks room.