Taiwan has some of the greatest food culture in the world. My parents are Taiwanese immigrants who have always stayed true to their culture, therefore Taiwanese food has always been part of my culture. I’ve been to Taiwan many times in my life, not as many as I’d like but enough to recommend where to get the best Taiwanese food in Manhattan. Here are some of the best places to go for Taiwanese food in Manhattan, to satisfy your cravings.
BaoHaus
238 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003, USA
BaoHaus an East Village eatery opened by Eddie and Evan Huang in 2009. Containing a small menu, consisting mostly of bao, or baozi, very popular in Chinese culture often considered street food. Bao/Baozi are Chinese buns stuffed with a variety of different fillings. The portion sizes are small allowing for you to either just grab a quick bite or try a couple of different things if you want a fuller meal.
The atmosphere of Baohaus is what some call “tight” and others “cozy”, with hip-hop blaring through the speakers and 90’s basketball memorabilia all around. According to Sam K. on Yelp, “This spot is a MUST try… The vibe is trendy and very much embodies what I would think Eddie Huang’s restaurant would be.”
Rating:
Yelp: 4.5/5 stars
Google: 4.2/5 stars on Google
Warning: Crushed peanuts are a used in the making of baos, if you’re allergic, make sure to let your server know. They will happily accommodate your dietary restrictions.
TK Kitchen
26 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003
TK Kitchen is a casual Taiwanese eatery located in the East Village with a focus on street-food. Their extensive menu of bubble tea as well as Taiwanese snacks such as popcorn chicken, pig blood cakes, radish cakes, and gua bao are some of the most sought after. “I can always count on this place to serve up Taiwanese snacks along with my choice of bubble tea. I especially enjoy their three appetizers for $11.50 deal. It can’t be beat.” wrote Shannon Z in her yelp review.
Ratings:
Yelp: 3 stars
Google: 3.8 stars
Taiwan Bear House
11 Pell St New York NY, 10013, USA
Taiwan Bear House is a small cafe that serves up a modern take on Taiwanese fare. Taiwan Bear House specializes in bento boxes with various savory meal options. Annie Lee on Google said it is “Exactly what a homesick Taiwanese needs! It tastes really good and similar to the flavor you can find in Taiwan.”
Ratings:
Google: 4.5 stars
Yelp: 4 stars
Bonus: If you want that bento box goodness to come to you it is also available for delivery through Seamless.
Formosa Cafe
34 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002, USA
If you’re looking for spacious place in Chinatown with free wifi, outlets, and USB charging ports, look no further than Formosa Cafe. Known for their great service and modern interpretation of classic Taiwanese dishes such as rice balls, shumai, mochi. You can also get this Taiwanese deliciousness delivered straight to your door from their website.
Ratings:
Google: 4 stars
Yelp: 3.5 stars
I haven’t been back to Taiwan in a few years, but the authenticity and deliciousness of these Taiwanese restaurants speak for themselves. Whether you’re Taiwanese or not, any of these locations are sure to offer anything ranging from a snack to a meal; there’s something for everyone.