nyc on a budget—

if you are planning to come to nyc but need to be on a budget, this list is made for you 🫶🏻 the logistic of coming to and traveling around nyc is expensive enough. save wherever you can.

these spots will keep your $$$ in your pocket without compromising on the deliciousness 🤍

Wu's Wonton King —as the name goes, their signature dish is the new york no. 1 wonton soup. the big soup bowl is under $15. they also have roasted meat over rice ($8.5-$10.5) and you can choose whether you want roasted pork, chicken, duck or a mix. the affordability is insane. this spot is on the lower east side / chinatown.

Witch Topokki | All You Can Eat Korean Restaurant in Manhattan, Topokki Buffet, Korean Street Food —this might be the most affordable AYCE spot in midtown. for dinner, it is $28.95. the price includes all types of rice cake, veggie, ramen, tons of side dishes (fried chicken, oden soup, pizza etc).

Thai Son Vietnamese Restaurant —this spot needs to get more hype. it is by far the cheapest and affordable vietnamese spot in manhattan. menu ranges from noodle soup (pho), vermicelli, grilled meat over rice, and many more. my fav is the huge plate of grilled pork, veggie, and vermicelli pancake. the plate can feed 2-3 people for around $35✨ it gets cheaper if you pay by cash.

Great NY Noodletown —if you want quick meal in a no frill restaurant, head straight to this place in chinatown. noodle soup with wonton and meat of choice is under $14. plus, you will be full for the whole day 🤍

Hop Kee Restaurant —another chinatown staple. this underground spot is always packed. a must order is the salt and pepper lobster ($33) and it is humongous. i also tried squid ($26) and it is good.

most of these are cash only. so be prepared 🫶🏻

#lemon8partner #nycfoodreview #nyccheapeats #nycguide #nycrestaurants

New York
2025/6/15 Edited to

... Read moreNew York City is known for its vibrant food scene, but dining out can be pricey. Thankfully, there are numerous options that won't hurt your wallet. For instance, <a href='https://www.lemon8-app.com/poi/22535865258645815?data_type=poi'>Wu's Wonton King</a> serves an amazing New York no.1 wonton soup at under $15, alongside roasted meats from around $8.5 to $10.5. If you're in the mood for Korean food, head to <a href='https://www.lemon8-app.com/poi/22535866426747807?data_type=poi'>Witch Topokki</a>, where you can indulge in an all-you-can-eat dinner buffet for only $28.95, offering a wide variety of rice cakes, ramen, and more. For Vietnamese cuisine, <a href='https://www.lemon8-app.com/poi/22535865215633732?data_type=poi'>Thai Son</a> is a must-visit with generous plates that can easily feed two to three people for just around $35. For quick and delicious noodles, <a href='https://www.lemon8-app.com/poi/22535796500550290?data_type=poi'>Great NY Noodletown</a> offers wonton and meat noodle soup for under $14, making it a solid choice for a filling meal. Finally, if you’re adventurous, don’t miss <a href='https://www.lemon8-app.com/poi/22535865281394097?data_type=poi'>Hop Kee Restaurant</a> for its famous salt and pepper lobster at just $33. Each of these spots is not only affordable but also ensures a fantastic culinary experience in the heart of NYC. Just remember to bring cash, as many of these places operate on a cash-only basis!

12 comments

Lucylucy🌺's images
Lucylucy🌺

Wu's Wonton King looks amazing, and I'm obsessed with all-you-can-eat deals. Witch Topokki sounds like a fun experience. I'm adding all of these to my list for my next trip! What's your favorite cheap eats spot in NYC?

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