West New Malaysia

West New Malaysia has been in our Chinatown rotation for years, from back when it was sequestered behind an arcade on Bowery. Now the restaurant spans two rooms on Bayard, each crammed with tables where you can find longtime regulars enjoying their roti canai and asam laksa. And their crispy fried prawns with salted egg, which feature crackly crusts rubbed with shaved yolk, will convert anyone into a West New Malaysia loyalist. Head here if you're hanging around Chinatown with a hungry group of people. The menu is huge, food comes out super-fast, and if you come at lunch, lots of the entrees are available for under $15.