Yin Ji Chang Fen — Restaurant in New York

I've been wanting try Yin Ji Chang Fen since I heard such rave reviews and I love me a good rice roll. But, there's always a massive line and I am not willing to wait an hour for it. One Saturday morning, we were running errands early in the city and made it to the restaurant by 10:30. There were only a few people ahead of us and we only had to wait ten minutes. Perfect timing!

We probably over-ordered for two people because we were starving and wanted to try everything. (DISCLAIMER - each plate of rolls is pretty big and filling). Here is everything we ordered:

Sticky rice wrap - I'm not normally a huge fan but I actually really liked it. It was better than a lot of dim sum places. One order comes with two. We started out splitting one and I'm glad we did, once we saw the size of the rice rolls when they arrived. Marinated beef with shrimp and chives rice roll - I really enjoyed this roll. Usually at dim sum, you can only get either beef or shrimp, and not both. I liked this combination. The rice roll is nice and thin, but still strong enough to hold everything Sweet corn rice noodle roll (added an egg for $1) - adding an egg is always a good idea but in this case, I think I prefer the rice roll plain. The egg changes the taste and the texture. The corn was only okay - they use canned corn (not frozen), so you can taste remnants of the water they preserve it in. Even though I love corn, I didn't love this roll. But that could have been because I had to eat most of it by myself since my fiancé doesn't like corn Sliced pork, liver, & kidney congee - this bowl is HUGE! Definitely enough to share amongst 2-3 people, especially if you just want to try it. They don't skimp on the ingredients, so I really liked that. WARNING - if you don't like cilantro, make sure you tell them upfront because they put a mountain of it on top

I wouldn't mind coming back to try some of their other rice rolls (fish slices with chives sounds interesting), but I don't think I would wait more than 15 minutes. I also don't think I would be willing to wake up early to trek to Chinatown in order to beat the rush. So I guess I won't be going again anytime soon. I'll wait til the...

I grew up on Hong Kong dim sum, and my mom makes congee at home. So I may be a little picky about the food here.

Had the shrimp rice roll. Too much stuff! I like the more traditional rolls with just shrimp wrapped in rice roll and a bit of sauce. The rice roll is very tender and nice, but the added cooked lettuce kills the texture. Stringy and soggy lettuce! The shrimp is tender and perfectly cooked, but the pork or beef in it is so over tenderized I can't tell if it is pork or beef! The meat has lost all texture and I didn't care for it.

What meat did I order in the shrimp rice roll? I don' t know. I ordered the shrimp rice roll in Cantonese, so maybe they got the order wrong, as I had only wanted the plain shrimp rice roll, but they gave me the shrimp and meat rice roll. The woman who took my order clearly understood Cantonese. Either they didn't understand me, they got the order wrong, or... more than likely... they upsold me the higher priced item.

Preserved egg and pork congee. A little bland. Not much preserved egg. Pork slices are a bit big. So the egg to pork to congee ratio is off. Also, I don't like the green vegetables in my congee, especially iceberg lettuce. I like a more traditional style of congee.

Lai Wan Style Assorted Congee. A little bland and the congee very thin. There is a lot of stuff, but not very well seasoned. Again, didn't like lettuce in my congee. But the worst offense is the cilantro. They didn't ask, but they added cilantro to the bottom of my takeout congee. I didn't care for it, and it's a strong taste not everyone likes. Most congee places will ask... or if they do add it, they add it to the top so you can pick it off. Here, they mix it in! So you get it whether you like it or not. But the eggs and peanuts they put on top though, so you can mix it in or not.

For some reason the combination congee was a little thin and runny while the preserves egg congee is decently thick and has the right density. Both were ordered at the same time. Were they made by different chefs?!? Or did I get the bottom of the pot for one and the top of the pot for the other. I think consistency is...

Title: A Night to Remember at Yin Ji Chang Fen: A Culinary Symphony in Chinatown NYC!

Review:

Stepping into Yin Ji Chang Fen is like embarking on a soulful journey through the heart of Chinese culinary tradition with a dash of modern flair. From the beginning, the ambiance set the tone - an upbeat, contemporary soundtrack humming gently in the background, neither intruding upon our conversations nor fading into obscurity.

The interior decor struck a chord of simplicity yet was intriguing. My eyes were drawn to a large, vibrant painting of a masked cartoon character cheekily posing with chopsticks and food, adding a dash of whimsy to the atmosphere. Surrounding walls adorned with plaques inscribed in Chinese further deepened the authentic feel while a television softly aired news about the city, grounding us in the pulse of NYC.

The appetizer was an unexpected delight; the toasted bread with peanut butter offered a comforting taste of simplicity, an ode to childhood favorites with a gourmet touch. However, it was the marinated rice roll that truly stole the show. This dish, boasting flavors of beef, shrimp, and fish, is a harmonious dance of taste and texture that showcases Yin Ji Chang Fen's prowess in crafting an authentic yet innovative dining experience.

Paired with a refreshing Diet Coke and the soothing Lemon with Honey drink, it felt as though every meal element was carefully chosen to create a balanced, holistic experience. To top it all off, the prices were surprisingly reasonable, providing incredible value for such an exquisite dining experience.

The top was the exemplary service – efficient, warm, and attentive. The establishment's cleanliness further reflected the meticulous care the team places in ensuring an impeccable dining environment for their patrons.

In a bustling city filled with endless dining options, Yin Ji Chang Fen stands out not just for its food but for the beautiful memories it helps create. Here's to many more nights of culinary magic in the heart of...