New Yorkers are no strangers to some of the best delicacies in the world. These foods cut across different cultures and cuisines and thus have their unique tastes and stories. If you ever visit New York, whether for business or vacation, here are 10 of the most iconic dishes to try:
#1. Cronut
Cronut is a blend of croissant and donut. It was first made by world-class pastry maker Dominique Ansel, who revolutionized the pastry world after he got the idea to merge croissants and donuts. That was how the king of pastries – the cronut – was born. It is a very delicious snack and many New Yorkers’ favorite. When the cronut first began being baked, people would form a long queue waiting for their turn to have a bite of this tasty goodness. Bakers around the world now try to make cronuts, but nothing beats the best. So, get yourself to SoHo and grab a bite!
#2. Dim Sum
Dim Sum is a Chinese meal served on small plates and consisting of meat, seafood, and vegetable dumplings, served with other snacks and tea. Dim sum is usually served at restaurants in Flushing, Queens, and Manhattan’s Chinatown. If you are looking for a quality meal of different foods, which you can enjoy slowly, then Dim Sum is an excellent choice. A well-cooked Dim Sum is a blend of cultural and culinary expertise.
#3. Cheesy Bodega Sandwiches
“Bodega ” in Spanish simply means storefront. It is a small grocery store with a deli counter where you can order a cup of coffee or have a quick lunch. New York locals usually stop by bodegas to have a simple, favorite breakfast sandwich consisting of bacon, cheese, and egg on a roll. Another specialty served by bodegas originating from East Harlem is the chopped cheese sandwich, a close substitute to the Philly cheesesteak, a merge of grilled meat, tomato, cheese, and shredded lettuce. You can easily find a bodega while walking around NY, especially in East Harlem.
#4. New York Cheesecake
If you are looking for the perfect dessert, try out the New York Cheesecake. It is one of New York’s tastiest and most iconic desserts. Rich and smooth, the NYC cheesecake has a cream-cheese base. In other words, it is not some light dessert but gives you a full, satisfying, and delicious bite. This tasty meal’s recipe is usually linked to restaurateur Arnold Reuben. And while its popularity is credited to the now-defunct Lindy’s restaurant, the creamy cake remains a city-wide delicacy.
#5. Chicken and Waffles
Fried chicken served on breakfast waffles is one of those meal combos you don’t understand until you have a bite. Pennsylvania was home to the earliest chicken and waffle meals, but later on, in the mid-1900s, the dish began to find its way to the Wells Super Club in Harlem. Although the restaurant has long closed its doors, the delicious meal remains served in New York’s best food joints.
#6. Bagels
Bagels are common with most Americans, but you can not say the same for travelers from overseas, who may need a brief description or want to taste it to know what it’s like. A bagel is basically a round bread meal that’s made with yeasted wheat dough, shaped into a ring, and boiled before being baked. They are usually about the same size as your palm and are typically served with cream cheese or butter for breakfast. Your New York experience isn’t complete if you don’t have a bagel with lox. It is an open-faced bagel dressed with cream cheese and lox (just like smoked salmon) and topped with capers and thinly sliced red onions.
#7. Pizza
To most people, mentioning New York City’s foods and omitting pizza is quite unforgivable. Pizza is a New York classic served by many eateries famed for their pizzas, particularly thin-crust New York style pizza. It comes in a wide variety of toppings, shapes, and sauces. Most people fancy the Sicilian square pizzas. In addition, more pizza places in NYC are now making this delicious meal in different varieties. For instance, while some restaurants offer cheeseburger pizza, others offer breakfast pizza, and so on.
#8. Pastrami on Rye
Pastrami on rye sandwich is one of the most popular foods that come to mind when you think of New York. It has two main ingredients – pastrami and rye bread. You can add more ingredients like sauces, condiments, pickles, or other vegetables, but the major ingredients don’t change. The smooth rye bread complements the pastrami’s saltiness to make a delicious sandwich.
#9. Black and White Cookie
Black and white cookies are a special New York food with an enticing design. It is basically a big flat cookie disk with black icing on one half and white icing on the other – all on a shortbread base. Its black icing is chocolate, while the white is vanilla. Aside from being pleasing to the eyes, these cookies are unique and softer than most other cookies you know.
#10. Soup Dumplings
Soup dumplings are one of the most iconic dishes originating from Jiangnan in China. Also called xiaolongbao, they are steamed dumplings stuffed with pork filling and served with savory soup. There are also other fillings like chicken, beef, or pork and shrimp. The food stands out not only for its tasty flavor but also for how the soup sticks to the dumpling.
Final Thoughts
The 10 iconic dishes above are a must-try anytime you find yourself in New York. They are offered by different New York restaurants or eating joints and are worth every penny you spend on them.