Best Asopao in the Lower East Side: The Castillo De Jagua Story
Manhattan’s asopao capital is two blocks of the Lower East Side, and one family name owns it: El Castillo De Jagua. Here’s how the Grand Street and Rivington Street locations compare — and what to order at each.
Long before the Lower East Side got its wine bars, it was — and in pockets still is — a Dominican neighborhood. The proof is El Castillo De Jagua, the family-run institution whose two locations have been ladling out asopao, mofongo, and pernil for decades. If you searched “asopao near me” from anywhere below 14th Street, one of these two is your answer.
El Castillo De Jagua 2
The Grand Street location is the roomier of the two and our overall NYC #1. The asopao de pollo is textbook: thick, peppery broth, rice with just enough bite, big pieces of bone-in chicken. It’s also where you go to splurge — the asopao de langosta ($38) piles lobster into that same magnificent broth. Breakfast service from 8 AM means you can technically start your day with asopao, and honestly, why not.
El Castillo De Jagua (Original)
The original. A narrow, no-frills Dominican diner where the counter seats regulars who’ve been coming for twenty years. The seafood asopaos are the draw here — asopao de camarones (shrimp) and de langosta rotate with the chicken — and the pernil and pollo al horno round out one of the neighborhood’s best value menus. Come for the food, stay for the feeling that the LES hasn’t completely changed.
Grand St vs. Rivington St: Which One?
| Grand St (#2) | Rivington St (Original) | |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Roomier, better for groups | Old-school counter diner |
| Best asopao | Pollo & langosta | Camarones |
| Best non-asopao order | Chicken mofongo | Pernil |
| Hours | 8 AM – 9 PM daily | 8 AM – 9 PM daily |
Both locations offer delivery and pickup. Hours verified July 2026.
Exploring Further
For asopao in the Bronx — including the borough’s best seafood version and its latest hours — see our Bronx asopao guide, or zoom out to the full NYC top-4 ranking.
Want the homemade version? The authentic asopao de pollo recipe covers everything from sofrito to serving, and the nutrition guide breaks down what’s in the bowl.
Best Asopao Lower East Side: FAQ
Are the two Castillo De Jagua locations the same restaurant?
Same family, two locations, slightly different menus. The Rivington Street spot is the original; Grand Street (“2”) came later and has more seating.
How much is asopao at Castillo De Jagua?
Chicken asopao is in the $13–$20 range; the lobster version (asopao de langosta) is around $38 at the Grand Street location.
What subway gets me there?
For Grand St: the B/D to Grand Street or the F/J/M/Z to Delancey–Essex. For Rivington St: Delancey–Essex is a three-block walk.