When most people think of a hub of Chinese culture in New York, the first place that comes to everyone’s mind is Chinatown. If you are from New York, or even New Jersey, you may be familiar with another town called Flushing, located in Queens, New York. Flushing is very similar to Chinatown, where most of its residence is Chinese and its businesses are all established by Chinese people. It is a hot spot for both the elderly and the youth, as it offers the convenience and comfortability that resembles their home for most Chinese immigrants, as well as offering many places to eat and places to enjoy with friends.
Although I grew up in Long Island, about 30 minutes away from Flushing, going there was almost an everyday occurrence. My family would venture throughout its grocery stores, bountiful of Chinese products you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere near where I lived. If you are not able to drive here, I suggest taking the train! Taking the Port Washington train from Penn Station New York, will end you up in the heart of Flushing! It is also only the second stop, making it just 20 minutes away from New York City!
My favorite parts of Flushing are the restaurants. There is an incredible amount of restaurants of all styles and speciality in this town. Every block you wander, there would be a restaurant to fit your taste, whether it’s Fujianese, Szechuan, or Hunan. Even more, there are multiple food courts scattered around Main Street. Don’t be fooled by the appearance of the restaurant! Some of the best and famous restaurants in Flushing are run in small and seemingly runned-down buildings. An example of this is White Bear, which serves incredibly tasty wontons and is known by all the residents of Flushing. It has even gotten notoriety and became viral through the internet. I even came here this weekend just to get this! I recommend getting the Wonton with Hot Sauce.
If you are looking for a fancier meal, one which offers the aesthetic of traditional Chinese architecture, along with the highest quality of food, I definitely suggest trying out Szechuan Mountain House. My parents originated from Szechuan, China, and it could mean a lot when I tell you that we eat here almost once a week. Szechuan Mountain House offers the best Chinese cuisine experience I have ever had, and the interior decorating of the restaurant makes the experience very enjoyable. However, be aware that it is of Szechuan culture to incorporate hot and spicy flavors into the dishes! If you can’t handle the heat, remember to ask for less spiciness or none at all into your meal. I recommend trying some of these dishes, such as the Dry Pepper Diced Chicken, Fried Shredded Eel, House Chicken, or the Pepper Lover (Be careful, this one is really really spicy!).
If you are looking for a place that is more modern, youthful, and a simple place to sit down to eat and converse with friends, no worries! Flushing has many of those places too. One that I personally enjoy takes place in a building right above the Szechuan Mountain House. The Coop is a restaurant and bar that serves Korean style dishes. However, it is most popular for its Korean Style Wings. The wings are delicious, and they offer some variety with its flavor and portion. The atmosphere is great and is an ideal place you would spend a typical weekend night with your friends.
Hopefully, I’ve convinced you to go to Flushing, and if you do live nearby, I recommend checking these places out! Also, if you are in New York City, always remember that all of this is only a 20 minute train ride away!
