New World Mall Food Court

Head down to the basement of the New World Mall and Flushing opens up into some thirty stalls under one roof: Lanzhou noodles, Taiwanese snacks, Shanghai buns, Uyghur lamb skewers, jianbing, congee, bubble tea. It is loud, steamy and the best way to taste across China in an hour.

Two orders anchor a first visit: the lamb knife-cut noodles from Lanzhou Handmade Noodle, and the pan-fried pork buns from Pan Bao, crisp on the bottom and full of hot broth. Joe's Steam Rice Roll has a counter here too. Come with friends, order from several stalls, and share at whatever table opens.