Where to Eat at the Canal Street Market

Though its retail shops cleverly opened to coincide with Christmas, the food hall portion of the year-old Canal Street Market was slated to debut this spring.  And right on cue, 12 edible vendors now occupy the former flea, paying homage to the neighborhood’s lively culinary history (most have an Asian bent, and a relationship to the immediate area), while embracing a modern aesthetic.  Here are a handful of heavy hitters to watch out for, from a rice bowl-spinoff of Nom Wah Tea Parlor, to a fast-casual branch of Ippudo.

Nom Wah Kuai: Wilson Tang and Jonathan Wu are offering up this spin-off of their seminal dim sum eatery, Nom Wah Tea Parlor.  Translated to “fast” in Mandarin, Kuai will dish up quick-service eats like lunchbox-style rice bowls, topped with crispy pork, crispy chicken or tofu and vegetables, and drizzled with sauces such as creamy sesame, ginger tomatillo or beet vinaigrette.

The Izakaya x Samurice: The diminutive, East Village drinking food spot and Japanese rice specialist have joined forces for this “collaborative life-style restaurant;” as well as a menu of curry rice bowls and ochazuke; rice balls crowned with umeboshi, and showered in miso soup.

Kuro-Obi: Ippudo continues its casual ramen expansion with this third, tori-paitan focused branch of Kuro-Obi; serving multiple variations of Japanese chicken noodle soup, furnished with soft boiled eggs, mustard leaves and chashu pork.

Oppa: This West Village karaoke bar and Gansevoort Market vendor has made its way to Canal Street, bringing contemporary Korean fare like bulgogi tacos, marinated pork nachos, sous vide sliders, and potstickers filled with glass noodles, vegetables and eggs.

Davey’s Ice Cream: Though “classics” include Speculoos Chocolate Chip and Salted Caramel, many of owner David Yoo’s very best scoops play with Asian flavors; think Thai Iced Tea and Black Sesame.

Boba Guys: Claiming to serve the highest quality bubble milk tea in the world, Boba’s buoyant beverages are free of artificial ingredients and powders, featuring premium loose leaf teas, housemade, cane sugar syrups, tapioca balls and jellies, and Straus organic milk.

Canal Street Market
265 Canal St
(646) 694-1655
canalstreet.market