Why Andrew Zimmern’s favorite city for food is somewhat unexpected

Chef Andrew Zimmern has had the opportunity to sample dishes from all over the world. From blue worms caught off the coast of Samoa to popular Polish street food like zapiekanka, he’s tried it all. But when asked about his favorite city for food, his answer might really surprise you, and not just because it’s an unconventional place. Zimmern’s favorite city for food isn’t a city at all—it’s the New York City borough of Queens.

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In his opinion, this diverse spot is not only the best place to eat in all five boroughs of New York, but in the entire world. While it’s a tough ask for anyone to choose just one city as their favorite place to eat, Zimmern shared in an interview with Forbes that he chose Queens because the borough – as one of the most ethnically diverse boroughs in the city – has something authentic to offer for everyone.

“Queens has the greatest variety of food of any city in the world. At a high level: 150 different cuisines in a current population of 8,000 or more, and new ones are being added all the time. You can go to a Bukharan restaurant there, an obscure Central Asian cuisine… I mean, it’s just incredible,” he told Forbes. If you’re looking for the best restaurants in the city, look no further than Queens.

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As for specific places in Queens, Andrew Zimmern told Forbes that there are many eateries near Rego Park in Queens that he frequents, as well as other flavorful eateries in the neighborhood known as Flushing. For him, the wide variety of cuisines available there makes these eateries a must-visit for foodies. “When people ask me what the best food city in the world is, Queens, NY, is the immediate answer,” he told Forbes. And Zimmern is not only excited about the variety, but also the quality of the cuisine here. He mentioned the variety of Chinese cuisine that can be found in Queens, which he believes makes it one of the best in the world.

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When he’s not in the mood for Chinese food, Zimmern knows there’s something to satisfy his palate. He noted that Greek cuisine in Queens is as delicious as it is famous. In closing, Zimmern emphasized the “quality, depth and breadth” of food in this New York City neighborhood.

Aside from the wide variety of cuisines in Queens, Andrew Zimmern has a few favorite places in mind that he likes to visit when he’s in town. First of all, as he shared on his website, one of his favorite delis is located in the borough: Muncan Meats. With over 200 house-made meat products, from pancetta to smoked ham, the variety here is particularly impressive.

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For fans of Asian cuisine, Zimmern says the food court at the Golden Mall in the Flushing neighborhood offers plenty of incredible options. From savory pork dumplings to a comforting bowl of congee, he says this spot offers some of the most authentic Asian food you can get in the U.S.

Zimmern is also impressed with the food at Tawa Nepali Food. From sweet sel roti to spicy beef gizzard, this Nepali restaurant’s dishes are unique and delicious. As he said on his show Bizarre Foods, he would compare this food to “any white tablecloth restaurant in America.” And finally, for anyone craving a classic New York wood-fired pizza, Zimmern names Milkflower in Astoria as one of the best pizza places around. Whether you’re looking to eat cheap in New York City or try some of the most delicious dishes of your life, Queens has all that and more.

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