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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Lauren Ng

Lauren Ng, Dining Editor

Lauren Ng is a sophomore majoring in food studies and journalism. Her hobbies include eating, browsing restaurant menus and reading and writing about food. When Lauren isn't partaking in food-related activities, you can find her binging sitcoms, playing the drums or taking hip-hop dance classes back home in Los Angeles. Contact her on Instagram @laurenn_nng or email her at [email protected].

All content by Lauren Ng
A woman in black watches chefs preparing food in the kitchen behind a glass wall.

Where Din Tai Fung goes, my heart goes with it

There’s a lot more to the restaurant than the chocolate mochi dumplings you’ve seen on TikTok.
Lauren Ng, Dining Editor September 11, 2024

An illustration of the Washington Square Park arch and fountain. The words “BACK TO SCHOOL,” are above the words “Ins and Outs.” On the left is a smiling figure under a sunny sky and on the right is an angry figure under a cloudy sky.

Everything in and out for back to school

Change the trajectory of your semester with tips from WSN’s Culture Desk.

It’s never too late to kill old habits and try new things, even if you are entering your senior year at NYU. Perhaps you want to become more adventurous and push yourself to...

A weathered wooden storefront with “JACK’S WIFE FREDA” in gold text on a green and white striped awning hanging over small yellow tables and chairs.

5 Restaurant Week deals to kick off the school year

The more you save now, the more you can splurge later.
Lauren Ng, Dining Editor September 3, 2024

In New York City, every week feels like a restaurant week. With cafes, food trucks and sit-downs at any corner, NYU’s campus is uniquely suited for all types of dining, from...

Woman posing by leaning on a stack of books while standing in front of a shelf packed with books.

Photo: Food Studies professor wins University Distinguished Teaching Award

May 3, 2024

Amy Bentley is a professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at NYU. (Lauren Ng for WSN)

A person’s hand holding a pastry in a white wrapper with a Chinatown street in the background.

We tried Chinatown’s most viral cheap eats — here are our honest opinions

From longtime classics to trendy bites, this food crawl has something for everyone. Which trendy eats are actually worth the hype?
Annie Emans and Lauren Ng April 25, 2024

Manhattan’s Chinatown has it all — but where do you start? Going on a food crawl through the iconic neighborhood is a quintessential New York City experience, but also a daunting...

Six bowls of food and two teddy bears wearing chef outfits sit inside the storefront window of “Sanuki Udon.”

Sanuki Udon brings the rich flavor of Japanese udon close to campus

This assembly line-style udon restaurant, the first of its kind in New York City, offers authentic noodle dishes just across from the Stern School of Business.
Lauren Ng and Jiayang Chen March 28, 2024

The aroma of freshly fried tempura — accompanied by a sense of urgency — fills the air as NYU students hastily form a line and employees rapidly prepare orders. Shuffling down...

A woman leans on the front counter of a restaurant. She is wearing a yellow shirt and green pants.

The hero of the East Village community is a mac and cheese restaurant

Sarita’s Mac and Cheese has big flavors and an even bigger heart.
Lauren Ng, Contributing Writer March 8, 2024

When engineers Sarita and Caesar Ekya left New Hampshire for New York City in 2005, they would never have imagined opening their own restaurant — one that specializes in mac...

Aerial shot of orange soup with leeks. There is a candle and rose beside the dish.

Casa Bond: where fine dining meets Mexican tradition

With avant-garde dishes rooted in Mexican heritage, the NoHo restaurant’s $150 Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu makes it clear that food is its love language.
Lauren Ng, Contributing Writer February 12, 2024

An orange cup of hot chocolate sits next to a white lid on a white ledge. There are pastries in a display case in the background.

5 unique hot chocolates near NYU to warm your winter days

Defy your end-of-semester fatigue with some chocolatey goodness. From milk to dark, sweet to nutty, there’s a hot chocolate in the city for everyone.
Lauren Ng, Contributing Writer December 11, 2023

With the onset of 30 degree weather and snow flurries, I spent one chilly New York City week on a hot chocolate crawl. Beanie on and puffer jacket zipped up, I embarked on my journey...

A crowd on the street enjoying food with food stall tents on the sides of the road.

The must-try Japanese street foods from Japan Fes

From fluffy pancakes to takoyaki, Japan Fes offered an impressive range of classics and novelties. Here’s where you can find some in the city.
Lauren Ng, Contributing Writer November 1, 2023

The Manhattan food scene is already diverse and delicious, but throw in a Japanese food festival and the food frenzy spreads like wildfire. On Oct. 28, Japan Fes New York held...

A hand holding a smartphone with the Beli interface displayed on its screen.

Why NYU students are obsessed with the Beli app — and why you should be too

This restaurant ranking app has taken over the New York City food scene, and NYU students have eagerly taken a bite at it.
Lauren Ng, Contributing Writer October 16, 2023

It’s late on a Friday night. You and your friends are trying to decide where to eat, but the discussion is running in circles. Everyone insists that they’re “down to eat...