CHINATOWN
I am such a Chinatown junkie! I just love that a 10 minute bike ride can bring me to what feels like another continent. I generally avoid meats like pork, but steam it up in a bun and I'll devour it. I stay away from sugary drinks but give it an exotic flavor like taro, throw in some tapioca pearls, and I'll have two!
For a real Asian experience go to East Broadway. You can find it branching off of Bowery just a bit below Canal. Under the Manhattan bridge is the East Broadway Mall, a totally Chinese shopping center. They recently added another building across the street. It's full of cute fashions for small sized ladies. Damn! Where's the Asian Lane Bryant? Anyway, if you walk through the mall (new building) and out the back it leads to an under-the bridge courtyard with an outdoor fruit market. I just love the atmosphere.
It's a great neighborhood for boy watching. So many cute crazy 80's inspired haircuts! The hair salons are cheap and very service oriented. You always get a little scalp massage with your shampoo. The produce is the best and cheapest in Manhattan. If you go now, get some fresh Lychees. They are only arund for a few months.