In a neon-splashed nook of the East Village, 886 serves up playful Taiwanese comfort food with a lively vibe, perfect for late-night eats and sake.
"What It Is: A new Taiwanese spot on St. Marks Perfect For: Casual Weeknight Dinner The first time we tried to go to 886, we were given a 45-minute wait estimate, so we decided to go to across the street instead. We tried again last week, and got in around 6:45pm on a Tuesday - although the narrow room was already packed with people eating things like stir-fried pork lettuce cups, sausage fried rice, and a spicy fried chicken sandwich. All our food was very tasty, and for such a new restaurant, the place is already running smoothly. The Verdict: Come here when you want to eat well without spending too much money. We’re adding 886 to the Hit List." - hannah albertine, bryan kim, katherine lewin, hillary reinsberg, chris stang, matt tervooren
"In Taiwan, 886 is the area code given to most cell phone numbers: In the East Village, it’s a sign of a good time. This Taiwanese restaurant has improved some since its opening in 2018. Blood cakes and other Taiwanese snacks are consumed at tables in a narrow dining room whose ceiling is covered in neon lights. On the menu: a “Bad Idea” drinking challenge that must be consumed through a straw and a Taiwanese hot dog named “the sausage party.”" - Eater Staff
"This exuberant, neon-tinged East Village restaurant evokes the feeling of late-night Taiwanese hangs and serves food to match. 886’s menu presents both classic Taiwanese street foods like oyster omelet and a well-turned three-cups chicken, as well as cheeky reinventions like the “Taiwanese breakfast” scallion pancake lunch roll, with mayo, pork floss, cucumber, and egg. While the Notorious T.F.C., which stands for Taiwanese Fried Chicken, has gotten attention, don’t sleep on the shareable, homestyle items like the Taiwanese hot pot." - John Tsung, Eater Staff
"This Taiwanese place has a takeout and delivery menu online (and they’re teaming up with Ho Foods and Raku to deliver bento boxes to hospitals around NYC - you can check out their Instagram page for more details on how to help)." - hannah albertine, nikko duren, bryan kim, arden shore, matt tervooren
"For a casual meal with one or more people who don’t like cheese but do at least tolerate noise, this neon-lit Taiwanese spot on St. Marks works well. It’s on the inexpensive side for a trendy East Village spot - the shareable stir-fry and rice dishes mostly hover around $15 - but keep in mind that you’ll probably want a fried chicken sandwich all to yourself." - emma mustich