Restaurant Reviews (East and South Asian Cuisine)

Name: Excellent Dumpling House

Address: 111 Lafayette St, between Walker & Canal St.

Phone Number: 212-219-0212

Description: Perfect for those of us searching for no frills, no fuss Chinese comfort food. A maximum waiting time for a dish here is 10 minutes even at peak lunch hours.

Bang for your buck: Wontons in a hot and spicy sauce for $3.75. A whopping eight wontons in a spicy peanut sauce. Extremely satisfying on a cold, rainy New York day.

Most Expensive Dish: Sizzling duck with sesame sauce for $10.95 along with other seafood dishes.

Score: 3/5

(based on general dining experience and taste)

Name: Go Go Curry

Address: 111 273 W 38th St (between 7th Ave & 8th Ave)

Phone Number: 212-730-5555

Description: One of the best kept secrets in New York, Go Go curry is imported from Japan where it is already a cultural phenomenon. With a limited menu that has a few select curries, this place is more about quality than quantity. FYI: the 5^th, 15^th and the 25^th of every month is Go Go day when you receive a coupon for any free topping.

Bang for your buck dish: The small Katsu curry for $7.50. On our visit we could barely finish this “small” portion but large and extra large sizes are available.

Most Expensive Dish: Grand Slam for $12.50 which is a combination of all the available curries: katsu, chicken, shrimp and sausage.

Score: 4/5

Name: Indian Bread Company

Address: 194 Bleecker St (between 6th Av and MacDougal St)

Phone Number: 212-228-1909

Description: This innovative restaurant in the East Village puts a new spin on one of India’s favorite meals, Kathi Rolls. Other choices made with their piping hot naan breads include naanwiches, naaninis, and stuffed parathas. The restaurant gets packed during peak hours so it is best to get your meal to go.

Bang for your buck dish: Chicken Paratha for $4.50. For under $5 you get a massive paratha stuffed with minced chicken and two side sauces. I personally like their Masala Chai to go with.

Most Expensive Dish: Chicken or Saag Chicken Nanini $6.50

Score: 4/5

Name: Mikaku

Address: 85 Kenmare St (between Broome and Kenmare)

Phone Number: 212-431-4820

Description: A hole in the wall known to very few people outside the neighborhood, Mikaku has become a favorite amongst Soho locals for its cheerful atmosphere as well as its clean and simple Japanese flavors.

Bang for your buck dish: The Pork Tonkatsu Lunch special box for $6.50. Your order comes with, besides a healthy portion of rice and pork chop, two gyoza dumplings and a side salad. Perfect for a quick satisfying office lunch.

Most Expensive Dish: The average entrée is $7.95 and you can choose from a wide variety of authentic Japanese dishes.

Score: 3/5