NYCReview
photo credit: Emily Schindler
Shu Jiao Fu Zhou Cuisine
Included In
Sure, glitzy new restaurants are cool, but the real reason to live in New York isn’t because there’s always some hotshot former sous chef opening a wine bar that serves small plates. It’s spots like Shu Jiao Fu Zhou—which serves a $3 plate of dumplings that’s more deeply satisfying than anything you can eat around the corner in Dimes Square—that make spending half your paycheck on rent worthwhile.
Most people come here for dumplings and peanut noodles. This makes sense, since both cost $3, and both are very good. The peanut noodles come drenched in sauce and served in a huge pile that seems tailor-made for satisfying noodle pulls, which is why this spot has gained some serious traction on social media. But you shouldn’t just spend $6 on two viral snacks and call it a day. Spend some time scoping out a table, and order a little more broadly.
photo credit: Emily Schindler
The fish balls, for example, are freaking awesome. Because they're Fuzhou-style, they aren’t just round fish cakes. Instead, there’s juicy, salty meat inside a bouncy fish-based shell. Served in a pint container of simple, clear soup, these fish balls are the kind of meal you’ll find yourself craving at completely random times. The same goes for the meat-stuffed rice ball soup, which is a little milder, because the wrappers are made from glutinous rice instead of fish paste.
The allure of a tiny cash-only place that does a few things flawlessly is hard to top. So is a $6 meal that can instantly bring you comfort when this city inevitably knocks you down. Shu Jiao Fu Zhou is at the top of our list for great dumplings in New York City, and it belongs there—but it’s also an essential NYC spot in general.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Emily Schindler
Wheat Noodles with Peanut Sauce
photo credit: Emily Schindler
Wonton Soup
photo credit: Emily Schindler
Pork & Chive Dumplings
Chicken & Cabbage Dumplings
photo credit: Emily Schindler
Fish Ball Soup
photo credit: Emily Schindler