The Ultimate Cheap Eats: 4 Choices & A Soup or Water Bottle in Flushing, NY

4 Choices & A Soup or water bottle Introduce

Introduction / Overview: Flushing's Unbeatable Value for Authentic Comfort Food

In the relentlessly fast-paced and expensive landscape of New York City, finding genuinely authentic, high-quality food at an affordable price is a mission for many locals. Enter

4 Choices & A Soup or water bottle

—an unassuming, yet legendary, Chinese and Asian restaurant located in the heart of Flushing, Queens. This establishment has earned its loyal following by simplifying the dining experience and maximizing value, becoming a true haven for

Comfort food

and

Quick bite

seekers.

The name itself is a transparent promise: a simple, customizable meal concept where diners select four side dishes, a rice base, and receive a choice of soup or a water bottle—all for a price that is frequently praised as "unbeatable" and "under $10 anywhere in the city" by local patrons. This unique, cafeteria-style approach cuts down on overhead, allowing the restaurant to pass significant savings onto the customer, a necessity in the high-rent environment of Flushing.

While the model is casual—described by customers as a "canteen" or "cafeteria style"—the culinary focus is distinct and authentic. Specializing as a

Chinese restaurant

Asian restaurant

, and

Soup restaurant

, its menu proudly features regional specialties like

Laohua Noodle Soup

and

Fuzhounese Style Noodle Soup

. Laohua Noodle Soup, in particular, is a traditional Fuzhou street food known for its fine rice noodles, flavorful broth (often boiled with pork bones), and various customizable toppings, suggesting a focus on the rich culinary traditions of the Fujian province.

The overall atmosphere is decidedly

Casual

, emphasizing functionality and speed over lavish décor. It’s a no-frills spot where the food takes center stage. This simple, honest approach has made it a favorite among

Locals

and budget-conscious

Tourists

alike, appealing to individuals seeking a hearty, fresh, and balanced meal for

Lunch

Dinner

Location and Accessibility: A Central Flushing Institution

The restaurant's location is strategically situated for maximum accessibility in one of New York City's busiest transit and commercial hubs. You can find

4 Choices & A Soup or water bottle

136-75 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY 11354, USA

. This address places it directly on Roosevelt Avenue, a main thoroughfare that is constantly buzzing with activity and food traffic, right near the heart of Downtown Flushing.

For New Yorkers who rely on public transit, the location is extremely convenient. It is just a short walk from the

Flushing–Main Street

subway station (the terminal for the 7 train) and the LIRR station, making it an easy destination for commuters and residents traveling from across Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.

Accessibility for all members of the community is also considered, as the establishment offers a

Wheelchair accessible entrance

. This important feature ensures that a broader range of patrons can easily access the great food and value offered on a daily basis.

Services Offered

Reflecting its status as a highly functional and convenient urban eatery,

4 Choices & A Soup or water bottle

provides multiple service options to fit the New York lifestyle:

Dine-in: Customers can enjoy their customized bento box meals in the casual, no-fuss restaurant atmosphere.
Takeout: A highly popular option for grabbing a quick, freshly prepared meal to enjoy off-site.
Delivery: Providing the ultimate convenience, bringing the affordable comfort food directly to homes and offices in the local area.
Lunch & Dinner Service: The core dining options are focused on serving satisfying and hearty meals during both the midday rush and evening hours.
Self-Pickup Deals: Encouraging in-person collection with incentives like a
Free Soda for Self-pickup Over $15
.

Features / Highlights

The reputation of

4 Choices & A Soup or water bottle

is built upon several distinctive features that cater specifically to the New York local seeking value, variety, and speed:

Unbeatable Value Proposition: The signature
Bento (Four Dishes And One Soup)
or
Classic Four-Dish One Soup Rice Bowl
is widely lauded as one of the most affordable and generous meals in all of NYC.
Authentic Fuzhou Specialties: Offers regional dishes like
Seafood Laohua Noodle Soup
and
Fuzhou Characteristic Fishing
, providing a taste of the Fujian province beyond typical Chinese-American fare.
Extensive Customization: Diners have a wide array of options, including various rice bowls (e.g.,
Braised Pork Belly Rice Set
,
Teppanyaki Chicken Fillet Rice Set
), noodle soups, and appetizers (e.g.,
Mala Chicken Feet
,
Hot And Sour Shredded Potato
) to mix and match.
Ideal for
Solo dining
: The self-serve, bento-box model is perfectly suited for individuals looking for a quick and satisfying meal without the need for a large group.
Locally-Loved Atmosphere: Described by loyal customers as a "comfort food spot" with staff ("aunties") who are "kind and generous with the food portions."
Regular Menu Promotions: Frequent limited-time offers, such as
Get Half Price On Teppanyaki Chicken Fillet Rice With Purchase Of 10 Yuan Or More
, ensure ongoing value for regular patrons.
Important Payment Note: Operates as
Cash-only
, a common feature of high-value, local Flushing institutions that helps keep prices down.

Contact Information

For New Yorkers looking to find this local gem or place an order, here is the official contact information:

Address:

136-75 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY 11354, USA

Phone:

(718) 886-0083

Mobile Phone:

+1 718-886-0083

What is Worth Choosing: Maximum Value and Authentic Flavors

For any New Yorker, especially those exploring the rich food scene of Queens,

4 Choices & A Soup or water bottle

is worth choosing for one overriding reason: the combination of phenomenal value and genuine, high-quality, authentic Chinese food. It is more than just a restaurant; it is a local institution that perfectly embodies the spirit of Flushing's affordable culinary greatness.

The defining feature, the

Classic Four-Dish One Soup Rice Bowl

model, provides an enormous portion size and wide variety of traditional dishes for a price that is simply unparalleled across the city. As one satisfied local noted, "Literally nowhere else in NYC/flushing has this big of a portion size and wide variety of food for this kind of price." This efficiency and generous portioning make it a practical and deeply satisfying option for anyone seeking a quick, hearty meal.

Furthermore, the inclusion of specialties like the

Laohua Noodle Soup

elevates the dining experience beyond mere cheap eats. The

Laohua Noodle Soup

—available with options such as

Seafood

Beef

Pork Liver

, and

Intestine

—offers a crucial window into authentic Fuzhou regional cuisine, attracting both discerning foodies and those simply seeking a warm, savory bowl of soup. This focus on specific, authentic, and delicious regional dishes provides a valuable cultural and gastronomic experience.

While the atmosphere is

Casual

and operations are

Cash-only

(a detail to remember), these factors are exactly what allow the restaurant to maintain such an exceptional price point. Diners are encouraged to manage their expectations—this is not a "lavish restaurant," but a highly efficient, community-focused spot offering "traditional balanced sides" and consistently "tasty and fresh" food. For a filling

Lunch

Dinner

that respects your wallet and delivers on authentic Chinese

Comfort food

4 Choices & A Soup or water bottle

remains one of Flushing's most essential and beloved choices.

4 Choices & A Soup or water bottle Menu

Limited Time Offer
Redeem Steamed Eggs When You Spend $10+1 $6.95
Redeem for steamed eggs when you spend $10+1. If you are not satisfied, don’t exchange.
Spend $10 And Get Free Chinese Cabbage With Garlic $6.25
Spend $20 And Get Free Seasonal Vegetables $6.25
Drunken Spare Ribs Set Meal
Get Half Price On Teppanyaki Chicken Fillet Rice With Purchase Of 10 Yuan Or More
You can buy the teppanyaki chicken fillet rice bowl at half price if you spend more than 10 yuan. You cannot buy it if you don't spend less than the amount.
Get Half Price On Braised Pork Belly Rice With Purchase Of 10 Yuan Or Above
You can buy the braised pork belly rice bowl at half price if you spend over 10 yuan. You cannot buy it if you don't spend less than the amount

Set Meal
Drunken Spare Ribs + Shredded Kelp + Rice + Soda $18.75
Spare ribs marinated in rice wine, shredded kelp, rice, soda
Fried Noodles+Stir-Fried Seasonal Vegetables+Random Soda $12.90
Fried Noodles+Fried Rice+Sesame Chicken+Random Soda $25.00
Sizzling Chicken Tenders + Shredded Potatoes + Rice + Soda Drink $18.75
Chicken tenders on hot plate with shredded potatoes, rice, and soda.

Free Soda for Self-pickup Over $15
Soda $2.00

Lunch
Chicken&Broccoli Set $12.99
Three Cup Chicken Set $12.99
Seafood Laohua Noodle Soup. $12.99
Beef Laohua Noodle Soup $12.99
Porkchop Set $12.99
Salt & Pepper Shrimp Set $12.99
Intestine Laohua Noodle Soup $12.99
Pork Liver Laohua Noodle Soup. $12.99

Buffet
Bento (Four Dishes And One Soup)

Bento Sets
Fuzhounese Style Noodle Soup. $12.99
Braised Pork Belly Rice Set
Pork belly braised in soy sauce on rice
Kale Chicken Rice Set
Stir-fried chicken with kale on rice.
Shacha Belly Silk Rice Bowl Set $11.99
Pork belly with Shacha sauce on rice
Salt And Pepper Squid Rice Bowl Set $11.99
Deep fried squid with salt and pepper on rice.
Salt And Pepper Prawn Rice Set
Fried prawns with salt and pepper on rice
Stir-Fried Pork Liver Rice Set $11.99
Pork liver stir-fried with chili and garlic on rice.
Braised Pork Chop Rice Set
Pork chops braised in soy sauce on rice
Salt And Pepper Chicken Drumstick Rice Set
Chicken drumstick with salt and pepper on rice
Three Cup Chicken Rice Set
Chicken with soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil on rice
Radish And Beef Brisket Rice Set
Beef steak with onion, bell pepper, rice.
Teppanyaki Chicken Fillet Rice Set $11.99
Grilled chicken fillet on rice with vegetables.
Sesame Chicken Rice Set
Grilled chicken with sesame sauce on rice
Fried Saury Rice Bowl Set
Saury fish fried crispy, served over rice.
Drunken Spare Ribs Set Meal
Spare ribs marinated in Shaoxing wine, stir-fried with sugar and soy sauce.

Notice
Classic Four-Dish One Soup Rice Bowl $0.00
Get A Bottle Of Soda + Spring Rolls When You Place A Rice Bowl $0.00
Get a bottle of soda + spring rolls when you place a rice bowl

Laohua Noodle Soup
Seafood Laohua Noodle Soup $11.99
Seafood with noodles in rich broth.
Fuzhou Characteristic Fishing $11.99
Rice noodles with seafood, pork, and vegetables
Pork Liver Laohua Noodle Soup $11.99
Pork liver stir-fried with noodles, soy sauce, and chili.
Beef Laohua Noodle Soup $11.99
Beef and noodles in savory broth.

Noodle
Fuzhounese Style Noodle Soup
Soup and noodles are packed separately

Appetizer
Sauce Chicken $6.50
Chicken in sweet and sour sauce
Salted Chicken $6.50
Chicken boiled with salt and spices.
Hot And Sour Shredded Potato $4.95
Sour & Spicy Threaded Sea Kelp $4.95
Shredded kelp with chili oil and vinegar
Spiced Peanuts $6.95
Yuba Salad $6.95
Shanghai Style Kaofu $5.95
Braised wheat gluten with soy sauce and sugar
Fragrant Dried Edamame $6.95
Brine Eggs $6.95
Spicy Duck Wing $6.95
Mala Chicken Feet $6.95
Pickled Chicken Feet $6.95

Drinks
Sprite $1.75
Carbonated lemon-lime soda
Diet Coke $1.75
Low calorie cola sweetened with artificial sweeteners.
Orange Soda $1.75
Carbonated orange-flavored beverage.
Coke $1.75
Sweetened carbonated beverage
Grape Soda $1.75
Carbonated drink with grape flavor.
Mineral Water $1.75
Iced Tea $1.75
Sweet and refreshing tea with ice.
Wanglaoji $2.75

"Eat a Good Meal"Set
Drunken Pork Ribs Rice+Mapo Tofu/Homemade Tofu/Fried Tofu W.Sauce/Steamed Egg W.Crab/Poached Egg
Chicken Fillet Rice+Mapo Tofu/Homemade Tofu/Fried Tofu W.Sauce/Steamed Egg W.Crab/Poached Egg

4 Choices & A Soup or water bottle Details

Service options
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Comfort food
Quick bite

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Table service

Atmosphere
Casual

Crowd
Locals
Tourists

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Cash-only

Children
Good for kids

4 Choices & A Soup or water bottle Photos

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4 Choices & A Soup or water bottle Location

4 Choices & A Soup or water bottle

New York Queens County Flushing Roosevelt Avenue

136-75 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY 11354, USA

4 Choices & A Soup or water bottle Reviews

An average rating of ★4 from 251 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Food and service are both fantastic. No better meal for under 10 bucks anywhere in the city! As far as atmosphere goes, they need to desperately turn on their air conditioning, especially in the summer.
May 18 · SP
My comfort food spot😍 The price here is unbeatable. The aunties are so kind and generous with the food portions. This is an amazing spot to eat by yourself or with a few friends. Cash only—you get four choices, one rice, and a bottle of water. It’s as simple as it gets‼️ The food is always so tasty and fresh, and there are so many options to choice from and try out. I can never get tired of this place. People who complain and leave poor reviews here must understand that this is not supposed to be a lavish restaurant. It’s casual dining and self clean up. They’re doing a great service for the local flushing community for keeping the prices so affordable even with the exorbitant flushing rent and serving traditional balanced sides for the elderly customers! Literally nowhere else in NYC/flushing has this big of a portion size and wide variety of food for this kind of price. So if you’re a tourist or an ungrateful customer please reevaluate your expectations bc this is not Din Tai Fung or Nobu.
July 28 · Grace Chen
$6 for a meal of rice and four dishes with a soup.They have a good selection of Chinese dishes (approx 20-30 dishes), including vegetables, pork, chicken, tofu, pork and some seafood. Most of the dishes are average tasting. Soup was tofu, egg and seaweed.Overall, good portions at cheap prices. Can’t expect gourmet for this price. 🤷‍♀️
November 14 · Isabelle Tran
Childhood favorite of mine. Classic spot to eat good food for a cheap price. Yes, service isn’t supreme, but it is $10, there isn’t much to expect. That price is nearly unbeatable. They are nice enough, and you really don’t need to talk to them to get your food. I just point. Large selection, though kind of sad there is no more fish. Thanks to the large selection there’s always something there I’ll enjoy. Atmosphere isn’t a 10/10, but I’d love a good dine. Very casual but given the price and food it makes up for the other shortcomings. Love this placeUpdate: They have fish. By the way must try the steamed egg
July 14 · Crysss
This place is delicious!.the white rice is moist, the chicken choices are flavorful, esp the squid and o ctopus! Def goin back to try out the other choices. The aunties are nice and very helpful.
September 13 · Johny C.