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. 

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

Wheat Noodles with Peanut Sauce

You’ve probably seen these on TikTok, and they absolutely live up to the hype. The sauce is sweet, salty, and savory all at once, and the noodles have a pleasantly bouncy texture. The $3 plate is big enough to share, but you won’t want to.

Wonton Soup

Order this with your peanut noodles, even if it’s hot out. The wontons are tiny, wispy, and light. It’s pure comfort.

Pork & Chive Dumplings

These are our favorite dumplings here. They pack a ton of flavor, and the skins are very thin. You can also get a bulk pack of frozen dumplings (this goes for the chicken & cabbage flavor, too), which we highly recommend.

Chicken & Cabbage Dumplings

A milder, more delicate dumpling. Get an order of these after you’ve had a rough day or a wild night.

Fish Ball Soup

These fish balls have a springy texture that plays so well with the juicy burst of meat you get when you take a bite. They’re served in a clear, simple broth that allows their flavor to shine.

Meat Stuffed Rice Ball Soup

The outsides of these meat-stuffed balls have a softer texture that almost melts in your mouth. The meat filling is rich and nicely spiced.