Plan to visit New York with my 14 year old son. His first trip. He likes Japanese and Chinese food, and anything that is funny. Any suggestions for restaurants (low budget range) and/or shows? We'll only have 4 days.

topping for odette.

For Chinese food, try the dim sum at Jing Fong (20 Elizabeth St. between Bayard and Canal streets). It's the best I've had, bar none.

Teriyaki Boy (various locations, including 43rd Street just east of 6th Ave.) has good, cheap Japanese fast food.

For inexpensive comedy, try the Upright Citizens Brigade theater. I've seen three shows there that wouldn't be inappropriate for teens, including a great one with SNL's Tina Fey and Rachel Dratch. Check the web site for schedules: http://www.uprightcitizens.org/.

Have fun!

He may enjoy the play 'Noises Off', it's supposed to be very funny (slapstick style humor). Check playbill.com for theater discounts.

Ruby Foo's for Chinese

Blue Man Group at the Astor Place Theater. Tickets are ~$50 (or maybe a little higher now, it's been awhile since i've gone) but he'll love it!

Take him to strip joint. He'll appreciate it.

In the Times Square area, I really like Kodama Japanese restaurant on W. 45th St, just west of Eighth Ave. They are very casual and moderately priced; their sushi and edamame are wonderful.

For places even cheaper, but non-sushi, I go to Sapporo on W. 49th St, just east of Seventh Ave (real Japanese ramen noodle place feel; I love their oyako donburi) or for fast food a notch above a Teriyaki Boy, I prefer the place (previously called East) on Seventh Ave between 48th & 49th on the west side of the street. It's cafeteria style but their ramen/soba/udon soups are quite decent. I don't know their hours - they may be closed for dinner but Kodama and Sapporo are definitely open at night.

A friend who also likes Japanese noodles likes Soba Nippon at 19 W. 52nd St, near Fifth Ave. I'll be going there soon. And I had a good meal at the Menchanko-Tei, another noodle place on W. 55th St.

Have fun!

Thanks for the suggestions - Both the Blue Man Group and the Upright citizens brigade look like just his kind of humor . I checked out the web sites. Would never have found them without your advice. Also will follow up on some of the restaurant suggestions. Can't begin to tell you how much I love New York City! I suspect after this trip my son will be a convert too.