Noodle Village

...is located in NYC's Chinatown at 13 Mott Street. There were 2 dozen of us and many dishes so I can only highlight a few...

Steam crab meat soup dumplings (6 for $6.95) - delicate skinned dumplings will hot soup.

Steam rice roll ($2.75) - plain steamed dumpling skin with a peanuty dipping sauce.

Scallion pancake ($2.75) - it really looked like a stuffed crust in a ring shape.

Fried pork dumplings (6 for $5.75).

House special fried rice - excellent rice with shrimp.

Squid & pig skin with curry sauce lo mein hong kong style ($6.50) - the curry and egg noodles were good, but we were disappointed by the pig skin. It was not crisp.

Oxtail with curry sauce lo mein hong kong style ($7.95) - very good with a hearty flavor.

Shrimp wonton, shrimp dumplings, cilantro with black egg dumplings lo mein hong kong style ($7.25) - dumplings were pedestrian.

Seasonal vegetable & mushroom lo mein hong kong style ($6.25) - pretty boring after the previous lo men dishes.

Braised Beef Brisket noodle soup hong kong style (small $6.25) - very tender beef with egg noodles.

Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce ($4.50) - pretty standard.

The food was good, but not outstanding. The service was exceptionally speedy.

Hung Ry

...is a new restaurant locateded at 55 Bond Street in NYC's East Village that specializes in homemade/handmade noodle soups.

"M" had a Laos beer and I had a ginger Bionade (German all natural soda).

"M" and shared two appetizers: the short rib with daikon and shiso ($6.50) which was enveloped in foam and the squid, guajillo and pumpkin seeds ($6.50).

For soups we both opted for the thin noodles:

"M" had the smoked pork belly with tongue, brussel sprouts and roasted radishes ($16). The pork belly just melted away when you took a bite.

I had the duck breast, gizzard and roasted peppers ($16). The duck was served medium and very good.

And we had to try the dairy/gluten free chocolate and coconut ice cream. It had the same cream flavor and texture as regular ice cream!

Well worth another visit to try some other dishes.

Lan Sheng Szechuan Restaurant

...is located at 60 W. 39th Street near NYC's Bryant Park. This new Szechuan restaurant is known for it's Dan Dan Noodles with Minced Pork Chili Vinagrette ($5.50). Although this is a hot appetizer it is more than enough for lunch. And it's spicy, but a little oily (don't wear a white shirt if you plan to order this!).