The Cheapest Place for Grocery Shopping in New York City

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the price of a variety of vegetables and fish in New York Mart in Mott Street Chinatown New York City. A pound of broccoli was 69 cents and a bunch of green beans was a dollar. If these two items were purchased in a supermarket near our temporary apartment in New York City, they would cost at least $7. I paid $3.50 for both items.

Grocery shopping in Chinatown is an adventure in itself. The noise, smell and crowd will stress you out if you prefer to shop in comfort. But you know me – comfort won’t stretch my dollars or let me venture into the unknown.

  Each week we walk to Chinatown to buy some essentials like brown and black rice, noodles, vegetables, fish, meat, nuts, frozen dumplings, sauces and baked goods. The prices are a third of what I would have paid at Trader Joe's or D’ Agostino.

But a word of caution, not every store has the same price, quality or freshness. Prior to going to New York Mart in Mott Street, we shopped around Canal Street and the vicinity. The fish, meat and vegetables are more expensive and in my opinion not as fresh as those in New York Mart.

Another advantage of shopping in New York Mart is they take credit card payments.

Chinatown has a variety of dried goods, meats and fish- a great place to learn about authentic Chinese food and ingredients.

If you are looking for ways to save money on food, snacks and drinks, Chinatown may have the answers for you. Amongst the smell and unfamiliar environment you might find hidden gems, vegetables or desserts you learn to like. A trip to a grocery store in Chinatown is definitely a great cultural experience and money saving trip for us.

Have you been to NYC's Chinatown? How did you like it?