A beloved Chinese restaurant chain with over 100 locations in Asia and Canada just made its way stateside.
Nong Geng Ji (农耕记), the acclaimed Hunan restaurant from Shenzhen opened its first United States location in Flushing, Queens on January 18, 2026, expanding New Yorkers’ access to regional Chinese fare. Flushing, which has an extensive Chinatown and one of the largest Chinese populations outside of Asia, has hundreds of Chinese restaurants, but just a handful of Hunan specific eateries.
Founded in 2017 by Chinese master chef Guohua Feng, Nong Geng Ji brings its countryside flavors and farm-centric roots to 135-15 37th Avenue, adding more spicy and seasonal Hunanese cuisine to New York.
Chef Feng, a native of Hengyang, Hunan, is recognized as a Master of Hunan Cuisine in China, and brings over two decades of experience to his restaurants that offer his hometown fare with a gourmet influence.
Dining at Nong Geng Ji
While remaining rooted in traditional Hunan cooking techniques, Nong Geng Ji’s New York menu highlights local ingredients.
Those familiar with Hunan fare will recognize Nong Geng Ji’s signature dishes including pepper pork stir-fry, stir-fried free-range chicken with tea oil, snowflake beef stir-fry; and high-pressure cooked sweet potato rice, a staple of the chain’s internationally served menu. A few Chinese American favorites, like General Tso’s chicken, are also on the menu. Though the menu is quite meat heavy, there are several plant based options including stir fried cauliflower and chilled bean curd with cucumbers. Everything is family-style and can be enjoyed over rice.
To welcome newcomers to Hunan cuisine, every menu item is accompanied by a photograph of the dish. An illustrated explainer on the back of the menu showcases key Hunan ingredients found in the restaurant’s dishes , like white chili peppers, smoked bamboo shoots, rabbit ear fungus, rapeseed oil and more.
The beverage menu currently offers serveral varieties of house made ice tea, and additional soft drinks, including soda.
The new Flushing restaurant was designed to immerse diners in Hunan culture. Inspired by agrarian life and Hunan folk traditions, Nong Geng Ji’s interior blends batik textiles, Miao silver craftsmanship, Jingdezhen porcelain, and visible ingredient displays.
Nong Geng Ji is open for lunch and dinner daily, from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Hunan Food in New York City
Hunanese food, which is known for being boldly spicy, smoky, and savory, has grown in popularity across New York in recent years. In the East Village, the stylish Hunan Slurp is known for spicy stir fries and less common proteins, including frog, pig trotter, and century egg. The rice noodles are indeed slurpable, and served in several varieties. The restaurnt offers beer and wine to chase the spice, and bottle corkage is $30.
On the Upper West Side, Atlas Kitchen and Happy Hot Hunan also offer Hunan staples just blocks from Columbia University. And in Flushing, Young and Rich NY, Hunan Cafe, and Hunan Noodle are a few places to try more tongue-tickling Hunanese food.
