65 Bayard St. (between Mott & Elizabeth, 1 block south of Canal)
The world-famous Chinatown Ice Cream Factory offers extraordinary flavors such as Almond Cookie, Avocado, Coconut, Ginger, Green Tea and Lychee, alongside the classic American favorites. Cool t-shirts and caps make great souvenirs.
This is not your father's Slim Jim. This is fast food by way of applied gastronomic science. New Beef King serves up beef or pork in spicy, curry, fruit and oyster flavor from a secret family recipe involving two days and four stints in the oven at different temperatures. Malaysia Beef Jerky is a small shop that offers jerky made from beef, pork or chicken, regular or spicy.
New Beef King89 Bayard StreetCross Street: Mulberry & Mott
Malaysia Beef Jerky 95A Elizabeth St., between Grand and Hester St.
Said to have originated in Taiwan in the early 80's at a tea stand popular with kids getting off school, the tea-and-milk bubble tea concoction features marble-sized balls of tapioca you draw up through a wide straw.
To see how bubble tea is made, click here.
For teahouses serving bubble tea, click here.
There seems to be a bakery on practically every street in Chinatown, most selling classic items like egg tarts and almond cookies, but often original creations as well. Proximity to Little Italy and the cultural blend of American and Chinese heritage gives the baked goods a unique twist. Most items are a bit lighter and less sweet, but no less delicious, than what you may be used to. With a slice of light, flaky, Napolean Walnut Cake for $0.75 and a mouth-wateringly juicy roast pork bun for $0.55, the kids eat 'em up!
Click here for a description of some of the treats available.
And click here for a list of bakeries and their locations in Chinatown.