Best Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Chinese Restaurants in Long Island City-Hunters Point
5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Xi'an Famous Foods
NYC institution since 2005 that pioneered Xi'an cuisine in America with proprietary chili oil recipes
Notable Picks
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
The legendary NYC chain that brought Xi'an hand-ripped noodles to the mainstream serves spicy cumin lamb and liang pi cold skin noodles in a no-frills counter-service setting. The chewy hand-pulled noodles coated in chili oil and numbing spices deliver bold Northwestern Chinese flavors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Cumin Lamb Hand-Ripped Noodles, Liang Pi Cold Skin Noodles, Spicy & Sour Lamb Dumplings
What makes it special: NYC institution since 2005 that pioneered Xi'an cuisine in America with proprietary chili oil recipes
#2
Gulp
8
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Tiny Taiwanese counter with attached bar serving soul-warming beef noodle soup and lu rou fan braised pork rice in generous combos. The complimentary chicken broth shooter greeting and free noodle refills create a homey atmosphere despite limited counter seating.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Noodle Soup, Lu Rou Fan (Braised Pork Rice), Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
What makes it special: Authentic Taiwanese comfort food with complimentary chicken broth greeting and free noodle refills
Worthy Picks
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Comfort Food Classics
Northwestern Chinese noodle house where hand-pulled Lanzhou beef noodles arrive in radish-scented broth with tender beef, homemade chili oil, and bouncy noodles stretched to order. Lamb skewers and braised pork belly round out the focused menu of Silk Road specialties.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Lanzhou Beef Noodles, Braised Pork Belly, Lamb Skewers
What makes it special: Hand-pulled Lanzhou noodles made to order with choice of noodle thickness
7.7
Beloved food cart near Court Square serving savory Chinese crepes with crispy crackers, eggs, and customizable fillings since 2018. The original jianbing with pork floss and turkey ham wrapped in a shattery shell has earned cult status among LIC breakfast crowds.
Must-Try Dishes:
Original Jianbing with Pork Floss, Jing Style Soft Crepe, Fresh Soy Milk
What makes it special: Pioneering Chinese street food crepes in NYC with Three Kingdom Era recipe roots
7.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A tucked-away neighborhood counter for dumplings and quick Asian comfort that works best as a targeted takeout win rather than a long sit-down. Keep the order simple—one dumpling set plus one light side—so you get the hot-and-fresh payoff without diluting the meal across too many items.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork dumplings, Shrimp dumplings, Bao bun
What makes it special: Low-key dumpling stop built for quick, no-drama meals.