According to the Chinese calendar, it happens once every 600 years.  Praise the powers that be; the year of the golden pig (considered the most fortunate in Chinese tradition) is upon us.  Celebrations, which began this past Sunday, February 18^th, will continue for two weeks.  Not to mention, the year will be filled with women beyond eager to bear a child blessed with such a lucky birth date, and, we imagine, lots of lotto ticket purchases. 

Thus, in light of the Chinese New Year, for this week’s roundup of desirable delicacies (many of which are very affordable), we looked significantly closer to home: specifically, NYC’s Chinatown.  We braved the crowd-ridden streets, and cold temperatures, in hopes of assembling a ‘best-of’ buyable-goods guide to one of Manhattan’s greatest resources: 

1. Good Fortune Gifts' Golden Buddha and Laughing Pig ($50 and $18, respectively)
In celebration of the New Year, it’s a Chinese tradition that gifts given revolve around spreading good fortune and commemorating the year at hand.  Thus, upon the recommendation (namely, to choose an ornament bearing either a Buddha – a figure of good fortune – or a gold pig, for the golden year) from our friends at Good Fortune Gifts, a store boasting Feng Shui products, Asian gifts and toys, we narrowed our favorites down to two: a modestly-priced laughing-gold-pig paperweight, and a more extravagant, charming big-bellied Buddha.  (To note, Good Fortune Gifts, formerly Mott Street General Store, is Chinatown’s oldest shop, b. 1891.)
32 Mott Street, (212) 791-9989, NYC

2. Pearl of the Orient's Handmade Lamps ($100-$1000), Silk Dog Dresses and Silk Wine Bottle Dressings ($15-$25)
This small shop sells a plethora of handmade, hand-painted vases and lamps imported from China (primarily Beijing).  Offerings range in style, shape and splendor, but are consistently awe-inspiring and intricately-detailed.  Not to mention, the store also stocks traditional silk Chinese gowns sized for dogs, as well as silk wine bottles dressings (wildly popular with passersby).
36 Mott Street, (212) 267-5765, NYC 

3. House of Vegetarian ($4.25-$12.95)
For a wide selection of Chinese culinary staples replete with mock meats, as well as broccoli selections that the Daily News credits as to-die-for, check out this pistachio-painted spot upstairs on Mott Street.  While the dumplings leave something (mainly meat) to be desired, don’t miss the vegetarian roast duck or the Assorted Triple Vegetable for satisfying meat substitutes.
68 Mott Street, (212) 226-6572, NYC 

4. Peking Duck House's Peking Duck ($38)
For the best Peking duck in the neighborhood, just check out this restaurant's namesake dish.  It must be said, the restaurant’s reputation for spotty service is as foolproof as its recipe for roasted duck, but it’s worth a visit nonetheless.  The duck is divine.  (Note: Peking duck dishes only come for two.)
28 Mott Street, (212) 227-1810, NYC, pekingduckhousenyc.com 

5. Fried Dumpling’s Fried Dumplings ($1)
Don’t be dismayed by the line extending out the door, the traffic at this takeaway dumpling outpost moves quickly and rarely leaves unsatisfied.  For $1 you can land a plateful of five pork- and vegetable-filled dumplings that are incredibly delicious (‘It’s so quiet in here!’ remarked a woman beside us on our last visit in reference to the hushed crowd happily devouring their dumplings).  Also get some fried pork buns or take home frozen dumplings.
99 Allen Street, (212) 941-9975, NYC 

6. Ji Li Tui-Na Center Massage (30min/$21 and 60min/$40)
The world of Chinatown massage parlors is hard to penetrate.  Chancing a rubdown from any old place is not something we’d recommend.  But we do encourage stopping by the Ji Li Tui-Na Center, where the facilities are clean and the staff friendly.  Ask for Jenny and you’re guaranteed however many minutes you choose of pure bliss.
202 Mott Street, (212) 966-2519, NYC

7. Chinatown Fair ($1 games and up)
Chinatown’s resident arcade is an easy-to-miss locale that draws a steady flow of neighborhood teens night and day.  While the gaming offerings are relatively standard, the real must-see attraction is the occasional (but well-worth-the-wait) Dance Dance Revolution face-off between astonishingly skilled youths. 
8 Mott Street, NYC 

8. Chinatown Billiards
This charming rainforest-themed (wood-plank mini-bridges and foliage included) billiards hall is filled with danceable tunes (often courtesy of an in-house DJ), and fully-stocked bar.
128 Elizabeth Street, NYC 

9. Asia Roma
Recommended by locals as the best bar in the neighborhood, Asia Roma’s two floors house a bar and dining room (upper level), lower-level lounge and dining room, and karaoke on both floors.  With Asian/Italian fusion cuisine (try the grilled shrimp in Asian pesto sauce), an extensive song collection, and private party rooms, Asia Roma offers plenty of options with which to keep oneself occupied and entertained.  (Note: for large parties and karaoke, reservations are highly recommended.)
40 Mulberry Street, (212) 385-1133, NYC, asiaroma.com 

10. Fay Da Bakery’s Baked Goods ($0.50 to $10)
One could spend well over an hour deliberating over exactly which sweets to taste from this tried-and-true Chinatown bakery.  In addition to a few more substantial options – sandwiches, pork buns and chicken pastry puffs included – Fay Da stocks close to 40 different types of sweet snacks begging to be sampled.  We recommend the Taro Puree Puffball – a flaky, tasty lavender treat with a pasty interior; the Milk Cream Bun – a soft sweet bread loaf with a layer of hardened cream through the center; and the Green Tea and Red Bean Bun – a gelatinous coconut-shaving-covered bright green bun filled with sweet red beans.
83 Mott Street, (212) 791-3884, NYC, faydabakery.com
**Also, not-to-be-missed are the egg tarts and baked pork buns from Mei Lai Wah Coffee Tea House, 64 Bayard Street, (212) 226-9186, NYC  

11. Nom Wah Tea Parlor ($0.70 to $1)
This teahouse is the oldest in Chinatown, established in 1920.  Not only does Nom Wah serve delectable dim sum– which includes the ever-popular Ha Gow (shrimp dumplings), Shew My (pork dumplings) and Char Shew Bow (Roast Pork Buns).  Behind the restaurant’s glass counter you’ll find what may be Manhattan’s largest, tastiest almond cookies.  The atmosphere is calm and quiet – an ideal hideaway to enjoy one of over 20 types of tea and a nosh.
13 Doyers Street, (212) 962-6047, NYC 

12. Dr. Chi Wai Wong
Renowned herbalist and acupuncturist Dr. Chi Wai Wong is the go-to-guy when it comes to your qi (pronounced “chee” and meaning the invisible life force that flows through our bodies).  Specifically, Dr. Wong is a specialist at unblocking one’s qi – via acupuncture and cupping (using partially-vacuumed glass jars).  He can also provide customized mixtures of Chinese herbs, often served as a tea that he claims help a variety of ailments.
51 A-B Canal Street (212) 431-8816, NYC

~Alisa Gould-Simon

Last Photo by Shahar Azran