Atly Logo
New Yorkers 1st Choice
Local picks in Houston

Cheap eats

You want a Chinese meal that satisfies your cravings without the premium price tag.

Based on 518 Opinions
+515
User
User
User
Updated May 2026
01
Midnight Kabob and Seafood image 1
Midnight Kabob and Seafood image 2
Midnight Kabob and Seafood image 3
View all

Restaurant offers karaoke entertainment with a lively party atmosphere and multiple TVs showing different shows. The vibe ranges from laid-back and relaxing with hip hop and rap music to buzzing with grilled meat and seafood aromas. Diners enjoy a family-friendly setting where chatting and laughter create a harmonious mood.

Chinese BBQ dishes stand out with authentic flavors and careful seasoning. The mala grilled fish blends grilled and hot pot tastes well, while baby bok choy and grilled scallops come wrapped or cooked to highlight their natural flavors.

Drinks stay cheap here, especially beers during the 9 pm happy hour where prices drop to $2.50 or $3. Prices remain relatively low compared to other spots in town.

People are saying

"The seafood here is super fresh and delicious."

"The Chinese BBQ skewers are perfectly marinated and grilled."

"The beers are cheap during happy hour."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 9pm to 1am with cheap beer options.

2

Prices for beer during happy hour are only $12 for any kind.

3

The restaurant is open late until 1am for night owls.

02
King Bakery image 1

Old-style bakery with handwritten menus and dilapidated furniture creates a traditional Hong Kong neighborhood vibe. Atmosphere feels rundown but authentic, with locals gathering for coffee and bread. Only cash payments accepted, and bread like pineapple bun and char siu bao stands out for freshness and flavor.

Char Siu Bao stands out with its incredible flavor and quality. Traditional Cantonese baked goods come from a mom-and-pop shop with a Hong Kong neighborhood vibe, featuring handwritten menus and Cantonese-speaking clerks.

Pricing stays consistently low with pastries under $2. Everything feels surprisingly cheap compared to other spots.

People are saying

"This bakery's Hong Kong-style bread, like the pineapple bun, is so good."

"The pineapple buns are warm, fluffy, and crispy."

"The Chinese food pineapple buns are warm, fluffy, and have a sweet crumble top."

Good to know

1

King Bakery is a cash-only bakery, so bring cash for purchases.

2

Egg tarts are ready at 9:30 AM daily; arrive early to avoid sold out items.

3

Parking can be busy, but there's a garage next door.

03
99 Ranch Market image 1
Asian grocery store

Huge Asian grocery store with open space and separate shops for bakery, beauty, and clothing. Atmosphere feels clean and orderly with a busy exterior and a fresh fish aquarium inside. Offers a wide variety of unique ingredients and fresh seafood not found in typical American markets.

Large dim sum portions stand out, with dumplings offering notable size and quality. Premade foods like Peking duck and char siu are available alongside essentials for hot pot and a hot bar featuring congee and crullers.

Prices stay low across the store, especially for East Asian food and beef tenderloin. The fish and meat market and food court offer solid cheap eats like fried fish for quick meals.

People are saying

"I found this Asian grocery store had amazing variety and unique items."

"I found the East Asian food and boba here to be really cheap."

"The Chinese food bakery and deli portions are huge for the price."

Good to know

1

99 Ranch Market offers a wide selection of Asian ingredients not found in typical grocery stores.

2

The store features a clean and well-organized layout for easy shopping.

3

A food court is available with various delicious options to choose from.

04
Alan's Deli image 1
Cantonese restaurant

Cafeteria-style counter offers quick service with generous portions at affordable prices. The space is clean and quiet, designed for takeout with no seating available. Lines often form during lunch and dinner, reflecting its popularity for budget-friendly meals.

Chinese BBQ includes char siu, roast pork, and roast duck. Portions can be inconsistent, with char siu sometimes weighing less than charged. The quality of the BBQ is not the best.

Lunch offers insane portion sizes at a cheap cost. Suitable for broke college students or workers needing a quick, affordable meal.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be really delicious and fresh."

"I loved the flavorful roast pork and duck Chinese food here."

"The food here is cheap and the portions are insane."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is to go only and has no frills.

2

Expect long lines during peak hours, especially for lunch.

3

Parking is notoriously bad due to shared spaces with other restaurants.

05
Nan Xiang Express - Cypress, TX image 1

Bright, clean space with colorful, modern interior and cozy atmosphere that feels comfortable without crowding. Quiet environment supports relaxed dining, with a self-service station offering sauces and utensils for convenience. Popular for authentic soup dumplings, attracting those seeking quality Chinese street food in a tidy setting.

Soup dumplings stand out with perfect juiciness and rich flavor. The menu also features spicy beef dumplings, pork buns, and hot and sour soup with a balanced spice and tang.

People are saying

"The soup dumplings here are very good."

"I found the Chinese food here to be very good and delicious."

"Everything is self-serve and disposable, even the utensils."

Good to know

1

Parking is easy and available right in front of the restaurant.

2

Prices are reasonable, with meals around $10 per person.

3

The menu offers a good variety of classic Shanghainese and Chinese dishes.

06
King Wok image 1
Chinese restaurant

Small mom and pop Chinese restaurant with clean, well-designed space and mellow atmosphere. Offers hefty portions of American-style Chinese food at affordable prices. Popular for fried rice and crispy general chicken.

Special lo mein and orange chicken stand out with strong flavors. Shrimp egg foo young, fried dumplings, Mongolian beef, and various fried rice options also deliver solid taste.

Prices stay consistently cheap here, making it easy to enjoy meals without spending much. The affordable rates stand out across the menu.

People are saying

"I thought the fried rice here was the absolute best."

"I thought the Chinese food here had some of the best orange chicken."

"I thought the prices were cheap."

Good to know

1

The prices at King Wok are very affordable compared to other local restaurants.

2

Portions at King Wok are generous, providing good value for the price.

3

Ordering online from King Wok is easy and avoids high delivery fees.

07
Nee Hao image 1
Chinese restaurant

Small, hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant with limited dining space and a friendly atmosphere. Offers generous portions at reasonable prices, making it popular for takeout despite a somewhat sketchy vibe inside.

Fried rice and lo mein come out flavorful, especially with soy sauce and meat. Sweet and sour chicken stays consistent and solid every time. Lunch specials like General Tso chicken serve large portions. Shrimp lo mein, fried wontons, and egg rolls also appear regularly.

Massive portions come with cheap prices. Food is plentiful and offers a lot for the cost.

People are saying

"You get a good portion with the egg rolls here."

"The Chinese food portions here are massive; you get so much food."

"The food here is so cheap and plentiful."

Good to know

1

Expect to wait at least 25 minutes if you don't call ahead.

2

The portions are large; one order can feed multiple people.

3

Parking is limited and can be difficult to find.

08
Viet Hoa International Foods image 1
Asian grocery store

Massive Asian grocery store offers fresh seafood, authentic Vietnamese food, and a well-organized layout. Atmosphere is cozy and peaceful with a small indoor nursery featuring Southeast Asian plants. Crowded restaurant area contrasts with the otherwise calm market environment.

Fresh vegetables like Chinese broccoli and specialty herbs fill the produce section. The spot offers Chinese BBQ meats including whole Peking duck and ready-to-eat shrimp spring rolls.

Blue crab and rice with two toppings cost very little, starting at $6.50. Freshly cooked Asian lunch and dinner foods, groceries, snacks, flowers, and plants all come at cheap prices.

People are saying

"This grocery store has a huge variety of Asian foods and household goods."

"I found so many Chinese food options, like salt and pepper shrimp."

"I found the food here to be cheap and delicious."

Good to know

1

The market sells a wide range of Asian groceries, including fresh seafood and produce.

2

Prices for Filipino food are generally cheaper compared to other markets.

3

The store is well-stocked and clean, offering a good shopping experience.

09
Crown Seafood image 1
Dim sum restaurant

Large, spacious dining room with wide open spaces and many large circle tables suits big groups. Atmosphere feels bright and uncluttered, evoking a nostalgic, comfortable vibe reminiscent of classic Hong Kong dim sum spots. Crowds tend to fill the place, especially weekends, creating a lively energy.

Dim sum features salted egg yolk steamed buns, dumplings, and chicken feet served hot and quick on weekdays. The menu offers a variety of authentic Cantonese dishes including lobster and Peking duck alongside noodles and meat options.

Dim Sum offers good value with cheap prices. Some dishes feel cheap in quality or portion size despite the low cost.

People are saying

"The dim sum here is tasty and affordable."

"The Peking Duck here is awesome, with crispy skin and juicy meat."

"The dim sum is cheap and the food quality is great."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended for large groups, especially on weekends.

2

Expect busy weekends; arrive early to avoid long wait times.

3

Dim sum prices are reasonable, with lunch items around $8.

10
Hibachi Grill & Buffet image 1
Buffet restaurant

Buffet restaurant with a huge, beautiful interior and a hibachi grill station where diners select ingredients for cooking. Atmosphere is loud and crowded, often with family-friendly energy but sometimes disrupted by unruly children. Sushi and sashimi stations add variety to the all-you-can-eat experience.

Buffet offers a wide variety of Chinese dishes including Cantonese dim sum, lo mein, and congee. Dim sum features siumai with pork filling and translucent wrappers, delivering tiny flavor bursts. Fried chicken, mushrooms, and crawfish stand out among the hot food options.

Prices stay consistently cheap for both lunch and buffet options. Food quantity and quality match the low cost, making it a solid choice for budget dining.

People are saying

"The buffet has amazing food with so much variety."

"They offered a huge variety of fresh seafood options."

"You've got to try the dim sum, especially the chicken feet."

Good to know

1

Lunch is available until 2:30 p.m. at Hibachi Grill & Buffet.

2

The all-you-can-eat buffet costs $20 per person.

3

Parking at the location has a high risk of break-ins.

11
88 DUMPLING HOUSE image 1

Open kitchen offers a clear view of chefs preparing food, complemented by TVs showing dumpling-making videos. Atmosphere feels quiet and clean but can be hot and stuffy inside, with occasional noise from nearby construction. Self-service sauce bar and ordering kiosks add convenience to the experience.

Dumplings stand out with rich flavor, especially the pork, chicken, and fried varieties. The Black Truffle Bao and Spicy Hot Pot Bao offer bold, buttery, and spicy tastes that complement the tasty sesame chicken and General Tso dishes.

Takeout offers cheap and delicious options. Meals feel carefully prepared without rushing or cheapness.

People are saying

"These handmade dumplings are fresh, juicy, and delicious."

"The Chinese food dumplings here are fresh, juicy, and handmade."

"You get great flavor and solid portions for a cheap price."

Good to know

1

A 10% service fee is added to every order, dine-in or take-out.

2

Expect a 30-minute wait time for entrees during busy hours.

3

The weekday lunch special is advertised at $12.99 but may cost $16 plus tips.

12
China One image 1
Chinese restaurant

Small, simple space with dim lighting and group seating creates a quiet, modest atmosphere. Food portions are generous and come with complimentary egg rolls and drinks, offering strong value for the price. Seating includes some spots with TV, and parking requires a short walk across the street.

Offers authentic Hunan Chinese food with dishes like spicy orange chicken and Kung Pao chicken. Wonton soup is tasty and affordable at $2, and orders come with free egg rolls and drinks.

Offers large portions at a very cheap price. Food quality is low but affordable.

People are saying

"The food portions here are huge and the prices are cheap."

"You get a free egg roll with your meal here."

"The Chinese food portions are huge for the price."

Good to know

1

Meals include a drink and an egg roll for only $10.

2

Parking is across the street, requiring a short walk towards 45th Street.

3

Most orders are for takeout rather than dining in.

13
Tao Rice Roll image 1
Taiwanese restaurant

Small space with about six tables creates a compact seating area designed mainly for takeout. Ambiance feels like a busy Taipei alleyway with a slightly chaotic vibe and minimal, clean decor. Crowds peak on weekends, and ordering ahead helps avoid delays due to limited staff and a hidden online order system.

Xiao long bao shows mixed quality with some servings having poor quality meat and others being pretty good. Wonton soup and vegetable pancake come off as okay but nothing special.

Prices stay affordable overall, making it a cheap option. Some items feel less cheap considering their price.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be very tasty and authentic."

"I highly recommend the Chinese Food rice rolls."

"I thought the portion size was not large for how cheap it was."

Good to know

1

The restaurant gets very crowded on weekends, so expect longer wait times.

2

Parking at Tao Rice Roll is difficult; consider alternative options.

3

Reservations are not accepted; order ahead to avoid long waits.

Discover more

Houston, Texas

Area guide
Loading Map...