The Crab Rangoon, a crispy wonton stuffed with crab and cream cheese, is an appetizer favorite at restaurants from your local Hunan Gourmet to The Cheesecake Factory, gone before you can say “pass the duck sauce.” But it’s offered on every Asian starter menu in town, including LuLu’s contemporary dim sum and the ultra-authentic Thai Sookdee. Some even deliver an extra pouch when you spend enough. When you’re craving that crunchy-creamy two-bite treat, don’t get crabby, read this before placing your order.

Koi Chinese and Sushi (624 Davis St., 847-866-6969), popular for its moderate pricing and date-worthy ambiance, renames the greasy (and delicious) appetizers “crabmeat wontons.” Don’t be fooled: Koi’s version is still the familiar fave. And while much of Koi’s menu is pricier than its competitors, the Rangoon is quite affordable. Seven wontons will set you back just $4.95. Be forewarned: The crispy pockets are oozing with – even overpowered by – copious cream cheese.

Noodle Garden (1239 Chicago Ave, 847-332-2775), a Thai place situated farther from campus, isn’t an NU hotspot. But the fare, including the Rangoon, is surprisingly rich in veggies. Noodle Garden’s crab wonton features a balanced ratio of ingredients, not an assault of cream cheese. However, five wontons cost $5.95, making for a sparser and pricier nibble than at Koi. And if you’re not willing to walk that far South, don’t worry-they deliver.

At Cozy Noodles and Rice (1018 Davis St., 847-733-0101), a student fave for its Franzia-friendly policies and budget-friendly pricing, it would be a crime to pass on this perfect pre-game snack. Cozy’s Rangoon outshines its competition in both price and quantity; plus, it gets extra points for a fun vibe and splashy décor. Cozy’s wontons are slightly smaller than the other, but they are served with a sweet-and-sour sauce. At six for $3.75, Cozy’s crab dippers are the cheapest choice in town.