NYC's top 100 foods: Best of the rest

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ASIAN

Nagoya teba chicken wings at Zenkichi

Photograph: Jodie Love

Nagoya teba chicken wings at Zenkichi The mysterious atmosphere—diners occupy private booths with tatami shades—is reason enough to visit. And the fried-until-golden seasoned chicken wings with “special” Japanese spices (we detect hints of sancho pepper, plus salt) keep us coming back. 77 North 6th St at Wythe Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-388-8985). $6.50; $20 minimum.

Bihari Kabab at Kabab King Diner You won’t find more succulent Pakistani kebabs anywhere in New York—in particular the so-hot-you’ll-sweat beef Bihari variety, which is marinated overnight in an incendiary red-yogurt rub. 7301 37th Rd at 114th St, Jackson Heights, Queens (718-457-5857). $6.99.

Milk burfi and kalakand at Usha Foods The key ingredients in these and all mithai are milk, sugar and ghee, but the results vary wildly. The fudgy, pistachio-studded milk burfi is chewy yet melt-in-your-mouth smooth, and kalakand is curdy, like sweet cheese, scented with cardamom and enriched with more pistachios and almonds. You won’t go Hershey’s again. 255-03 Hillside Ave at 255th St, Floral Park, Queens (718-343-1500). $6 per pound (about ten pieces).

Guizhou spicy chicken at Grand Sichuan International The thinking man’s General Tso’s, Grand Sichuan’s strangely addictive Guizhou spicy chicken delivers a more sophisticated brand of fire—from dry-fried hot chilies and tongue-tingling Szechuan peppercorns—without a drop of gloopy sauce. 745 Ninth Ave at 50th St (212-582-2288). $9.95.

Roasted-pork–dumpling noodle soup at Yummy Noodles Intense chicken broth filled to order with big shrimp-stuffed dumplings, perfectly toothsome egg noodles and never-dry slices of sweet, sauce-lacquered barbecued pork—so good. 46 Bowery between Bayard and Canal Sts (212-374-1327). $3.75.

Java Mee at Skyway Malaysian An immense, steaming bowl of egg noodles in a spicy dried-squid gravy­—festooned with potatoes, bean sprouts and shrimp­—and topped with a shrimp pancake. It’s the Chunky soup you never knew you wanted. 11 Allen St at Canal St (212-625-1163). $4.95.

Download a printable checklist of all 100 selections.