New York City has an absurd amount of food halls. A whopping 30 (or so) according to Eater. From Chelsea Market in Manhattan to the New World Mall food court in Flushing, there’s an option to accommodate any taste and any budget imaginable. I’m a sucker for a food hall. Numerous options of varying cuisines to try?! Count me in!
So when my friend Jordan noticed a new food hall in Long Island City, which is (un-creatively) called Long Island City Food Hall, I hopped on a train to check it out.
What Is the Long Island City Food Hall Like?
The Long Island City Food Hall boasts 10 different stalls with cuisines from China, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. According to the website, “We are on a mission to bring the vibrant flavors of Asia right to your doorstep.” The vendor selection is inspired by the mega-popular food courts in Flushing and Chinatown, and you’ll find a mix of (maybe) familiar spots as well as brand new ones.
The food court itself is narrow, but elegant, with asian art adorning the ceiling and walls. There are a few table on the main floor, but plenty of additional seating one level down. I can’t say it looks like the AI video they have on the website, but it’s cozy and thoughtfully designed without feeling sterile and pretentious.
Now, let’s dive into the eats!
Stop 1: Fat Cat Flatbread, $6.75
Fat Cat Flatbread serves up Guo Kui, which is a crispy stuffed flatbread that’s popular in western regions of China. I’ve never seen, let alone tried, Guo Kui. But I’m yet to meet a flatbread I haven’t liked! Fat Cat Flatbread has various options to choose from, ranging from salted egg yolk and pork floss to red bean. Plus, they are all under $10.
On the cashier’s recommendation, we went with the spicy pork. The flatbread itself was ultra light and crispy with numerous flakey layers. Inside, there was a thin layer of a ground pork mixture that packed a major punch despite how thin it was. A true delight to eat and I’d certainly get it again!
Stop 2: U NI Rice, $6.90
The next stop that caught our eye in the Long Island City Food Hall was U Ni Rice. This spot serves up their take on onigirazu, which is like an onigiri sandwich. Seaweed serves as the bun, then it’s stuffed with rice, spam, egg, and whatever else the chef desires.
(For a more traditional onigirazu, check out the 411 on an East Village food crawl I did HERE!)
U Ni Rice had 14 different options, and we went with the Okinawa Classic. The spam added a nice saltiness and the mayo mixture (which tasted like Kewpie) was rich and creamy with a soft sweetness. Random bites held pops of vinegar, and the acidity was a welcomed contrast.
Next time, I’d try the kimchi beef or chicken karaage. I think adding in an extra flavor and textural component would really take these up a notch.
Stop 3: Marathon Hong Kong Diner, $34
Finally, we couldn’t pass up trying some of grub coming out of Marathon Hong Kong Diner. This spot serves up fare that’s similar to what you’d get in a diner in Hong Kong. I’ve never been to a diner in Hong Kong, so I suppose I’ll have to trust them on that one.
We started with the crispy pork cutlet. The serving size was simply stupendous with two huge pieces of pork cutlet served atop a sizable bed of rice. The pork was nicely crunchy without the breading being too thick, and pork itself was juicy and tender. There were 3 sauces to choose from, and we opted for the black pepper. It was thick and rich with a bold pepper flavor and subtle heat. Given the serving size and quality, I think $18 is a steal for this!
We also tried the Hong Kong style macaroni in tomato soup with beef and an egg ($16) because it sounded too interesting to pass up. The broth was thin with a tangy, slightly acidic, slightly sweet flavor, and there were loads of macaroni noodles floating about. I quite liked the thin beef on top, and I wish there had been more! This dish is super unique and I can objectively recognize it was good. However, I personally don’t love tomato based sauces or soups that are too sweet. Glad to have tried it, but not the dish for me.
Over all, I was very impressed with the options at the Long Island City Food Hall and thought the prices were very reasonable given the serving sizes and quality.
It is brand new and the vendors and menus will undoubtedly change. But it’s a solid food hall that’s well worth checking out!
