Lao Di Fang

- 773 51st St, Brooklyn, NY 11220

Lao Di Fang: A Brooklyn Favorite for Authentic and Fiery Chinese Cuisine

New Yorkers know that when you're looking for an authentic and exciting culinary adventure, the city's diverse Chinese food scene is the place to be. Tucked away in the heart of Brooklyn's bustling Sunset Park Chinatown, Lao Di Fang has established itself as a must-visit destination for robust flavors, especially those that bring a signature Sichuan-style heat. More than just a typical local spot, this restaurant stands out by offering a delicious fusion of Chinese culinary styles, serving everything from the highly customizable Mala Xiang Guo (Spicy Pot) to fresh seafood and traditional noodles.

Whether you're craving a casual quick bite, a comforting bowl of noodles, or a large, shareable specialty dish for your entire group, Lao Di Fang delivers an experience that is deeply rooted in regional Chinese cooking traditions. It's the ideal spot for both local Brooklyn residents and visitors looking to delve into the authentic, dynamic food scene of the 8th Avenue neighborhood. The atmosphere is generally casual, welcoming a diverse crowd and making it a great spot for groups, families, and solo diners alike. It’s perfect for both a weekday lunch or a vibrant weekend dinner.

Location and Accessibility in Sunset Park

Lao Di Fang is centrally located in one of New York City’s most vibrant Chinese communities: the 8th Avenue Chinatown in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. This neighborhood is well-known for its authentic markets, diverse businesses, and, most importantly for food lovers, its incredible selection of regional Chinese restaurants. Finding Lao Di Fang is straightforward, putting it right in the middle of the action and making it a convenient stop for a meal.

The exact address is 773 51st St, Brooklyn, NY 11220, USA.

Located just a short distance from the main thoroughfare of 8th Avenue, the restaurant is easily accessible via public transit, making it an excellent destination from anywhere in the city. The Sunset Park area is well-served by the subway system, ensuring a hassle-free journey. Once you arrive, you’ll be immersed in the bustling, working-class character of this genuine Brooklyn Chinatown.

Services Offered

Lao Di Fang is committed to providing maximum convenience and a comprehensive dining experience, offering various services to suit every New Yorker’s needs.

• Dine-in: Enjoy the casual and welcoming atmosphere with table service for both lunch and dinner. The restaurant is good for kids and happy to accommodate groups.
• Takeout: Ideal for grabbing a quick, delicious meal on the go.
• Delivery: Have their signature dishes, including the famously spicy pot, delivered right to your home or office.
• Accepts Reservations: For planning ahead, the establishment accepts reservations, making it easier to organize meals for larger groups or during peak times.
• Payment Options: They accept both Credit Cards and Debit Cards for easy payment.
• Restroom: Amenities include an on-site restroom for dine-in patrons.

Features and Highlights of the Menu

The menu at Lao Di Fang is extensive and designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes, but it truly shines in its focus on bold, spicy, and authentic Chinese cuisine. They pride themselves on a broad selection of dishes that range from comforting staples to adventurous specialties.

• Mala Xiang Guo (Spicy Pot): This is arguably their standout offering, a popular Chinese "dry pot" stir-fry that allows for deep customization. Customers can choose their ingredients—which may include meat, vegetables, and noodles—and then select their preferred spice level, including the signature numbing Mala spice or a regular spicy flavor. This dish is known to be served in large, generous portions, often enough to feed two people.
• Chefs’ Spicy & Soup Specials: The menu features an impressive array of dishes prepared in various spicy broths and savory sauces. Favorites include the classic Boiled Fish In Chilli Oil (Fèiténg Yú), Sliced Beef In Spicy Soup (Shuǐzhǔ Niúròu), and unique takes like Hot Sour Beef In Pumpkin Golden Sauce. They also offer a variety of specialized frog dishes, like Sauerkraut Bullfrog.
• Seafood Master (Hǎixiān Dàkā): For seafood enthusiasts, the menu offers grand, elaborate seafood platters like the Seafood Coffee (Hǎixiān Xiǎokā), along with other dishes like Fried Prawns With Pepper Sauce and Ginger Scallion Crab. They also feature a selection of Grilled Fish options such as Grass Carp and Stripe Bass.
• Noodle and Rice Staples: For a quick, satisfying meal, the restaurant offers an extensive list of noodle dishes, including various Seafood Stirfried/boiled Shandong Noodles, Udon Noodles, and the popular Hot Sour Noodle. Their Fried Rice selection is also extensive, featuring classic Egg Fried Rice and their House Special Fried Rice.
• Unique Snacks and Small Plates: Don't miss their selection of small bites, which include popular Taiwanese fare like Taiwanese Salt Pepper Chicken and their highly praised Hand Cakes (hand-pancakes), which one customer noted are similar to scallion pancakes with savory fillings.
• Single Set Meals: Recognizing the need for convenient solo dining in NYC, they offer many of their signature spicy pots and boiled dishes in “For One Person” portions, perfect for a quick and comforting lunch or dinner.

Contact Information

For residents of Brooklyn and beyond, Lao Di Fang is ready to take your dine-in, takeout, or delivery order.

Address: 773 51st St, Brooklyn, NY 11220, USA
Phone: (917) 909-1351 or +1 917-909-1351

What Is Worth Choosing at Lao Di Fang

Lao Di Fang isn't just another Chinese spot; it’s a culinary hub that brings together a diverse selection of high-demand Chinese dishes, making it particularly worth choosing for certain dining occasions. It excels at fulfilling cravings for intense, flavorful, and often spicy food.

The first reason to visit is definitely the Mala Xiang Guo. In New York, this customizable, dry-style hot pot is a prized dish, and Lao Di Fang offers a fantastic, adaptable version where you control the heat and numbness. As noted by a satisfied customer, the ability to choose between the famously numbing Mala spice and the regular spicy flavor ensures that every diner gets a personalized experience. For those with a love of Sichuan peppercorns, this is a must-try experience.

Secondly, the sheer variety of regional specialties, particularly their large selection of boiled and stone pot fish and meat dishes, makes it a unique destination. This menu depth goes far beyond what you'd find at a typical Chinese takeout spot, offering dishes like Boiled Fish Fillet With Sour Cabbage and Tomato Fish that cater to specific, authentic Chinese regional tastes. This variety positions the restaurant as a standout in Brooklyn's dynamic culinary landscape, offering a genuine taste of different Chinese provinces.

The availability of single-serving options for many of their most complex dishes is a huge benefit for the New York crowd. It means you don't have to gather a group to enjoy an elaborate dish like Stone Pot Fish or Boiled Beef; you can enjoy it all on your own, making it a perfect spot for a satisfying and flavorful solo dining experience during lunch or dinner.

Finally, its location in the established Sunset Park Chinatown means you're dining in a genuinely authentic environment. This neighborhood is known for providing genuine, working-neighborhood food experiences, and Lao Di Fang is a true part of that community. For New Yorkers seeking a culinary adventure that is simultaneously convenient and deeply authentic, Lao Di Fang is a smart, satisfying choice. While one customer mentioned an issue with saltiness in a fish dish—an occasional inconsistency that can occur with powerful, deeply seasoned foods—the overall consensus highlights a successful delivery of complex, bold, and craving-satisfying Chinese food.

Lao Di Fang

773 51st St, Brooklyn, NY 11220, USA