Bayside has plenty of Chinese people, so there should be plenty of quality, authentic Chinese dining options…. right?
For whatever reason, there were none. Perhaps everyone assumed that since Flushing was only a 10 minute drive away, locals would rather burn some fuel, waste some time, and fume over lack of parking for a Chinese meal. Really sound business logic there.
Luckily, one restaurant operator saw the light.
Roughly two years ago, two of my favorite restaurants in Flushing went through what can only be described as a Wall St. style merger. The resulting entity kept the better name (Nan Bei Ho, which stands for South North Harmony), the better location on Prince Street, and combined the menu. Synergy.
The food at the new Nan Bei Ho, located on a rather quiet secondary road in Bayside, defies reasoning when it comes to location. Yet with all the pent up demand, word of its opening quickly spread among the Chinese community. Combining favorites from the Northern and Southern parts of China, there’s something for everyone.
Taiwanese popcorn chicken.
Some appetizers trace their origins to Taiwanese street food. The deep fried chicken cutlets resemble unbreaded popcorn chicken, fried with Chinese basil before a sprinkling of salt and spices. This plate captures the street vendor favorite very nicely.
The fermented tofu stir fry was a medley of intense smells and tastes. Double fried fermented tofu stewed with pork intestine, pork blood, leeks, and dried fish. While the pungent smell may cause the frowns of some nearby tables, once they see what it is the frown turns to dismay that they didn’t order it. If you’re feeling adventurous, try it.
Fermented tofu.
What every table order here is the beef stew noodle soup. Rich, flavorful broth, al dante noodles, and stewed beef that melts in your mouth. Best in Queens, ramen has nothing on this.
Best beef noodles in NY.
I understand that for many of my readers, a trip to Flushing is a trek, and Bayside is just the name of some town that you occasionally hear about on NY1. However if you ever find yourself out near the NYC’s eastern limits, Nan Bei Ho is a must for delicious Chinese food.
CS
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Nan Bei Ho
212-22 48th Ave
Queens, NY 11364
(718) 352-1838
