New York City's Chinatown isn't just a tourist spot, it's one of the city's most dynamic and vibrant communities, and for me, it will always be home. Having grown up in the neighborhood, I've watched it transform while somehow keeping its soul intact. Sprawling across dozens of blocks from Canal Street down to East Broadway and into Little Italy and the Lower East Side, this bustling locale offers surprises around every corner that still manage to delight me, even after all these years.
Beyond the souvenir stores lies a world where traditional dim sum halls share blocks with bubble tea shops started by Chinese American entrepreneurs who grew up in these very streets. While the OG spots still serve up the Cantonese classics our grandparents brought over (we're looking at you, Hop Kee), a new wave is putting their own spin on things. Next generation restaurants, cafes, bookstores, and boutiques line the streets; vendors sell everything from fresh dragon fruit to steaming baos, while old-school grocers display today's catch and veggies right on the sidewalk. Whether it’s aunties playing mahjong in Columbus Park or young creatives shooting TikToks outside trendy dessert shops, Chinatown pulses with energy while holding onto its roots. Here's how best to experience it.
Where To Eat
No Chinatown food crawl is complete without a stop at Great New York Noodletown, where the roast duck, fish congee, and ginger-scallion noodles have been drawing crowds since 1981. For a fresh take on Cantonese cooking, Potluck Club serves up modern interpretations in a stylish space, with standouts like their radish cake hash and Hong Kong French toast making weekend brunch a must-book affair. My favorite dim sum is at Jing Fong, where the rolling carts are filled with piping hot shu mai, translucent har gow, and tender rice rolls. Ping's keeps the seafood lovers happy with impeccably prepared dishes, from textbook-perfect steamed fish and salt-and-pepper squid to the razor clams in black bean sauce (when in season). Joe's Shanghai on the Bowery, still draws lines for their famous soup dumplings (xiao long bao), and yes, they're worth the wait, especially the crab and pork version; their Shanghai rice cakes with shredded pork are also an underrated gem. For a taste of Malaysian cuisine, Nyonya serves up authentic laksa and char kway teow that transport you straight to the hawker centers of Southeast Asia. Uncle Lou's feels like stepping into your own uncle’s home, serving soul-warming oxtail casserole and perfectly crispy Peking pork chops, as well as a steamed herbal chicken with ginseng that is a standout example of Chinese medicinal cooking. For dessert, The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is a must; flavors like durian, black sesame, and lychee have been delighting adventurous dessert lovers since 1978, but the almond cookie flavor is my fave. Round out your food tour at Bake Culture, where traditional Asian baking meets modern aesthetics—their egg tarts are flaky perfection, the purple taro mochi bread is Instagram-famous for good reason, and the pineapple buns fresh from the oven might just change your life.
Where To Shop
Start at KK Discount Store, a wonderfully chaotic emporium where you can find everything from traditional Chinese cooking equipment to quirky home goods; their selection of woks, steamers, and tea sets is impressive and surprisingly affordable. Wing On Wo & Co, the neighborhood's oldest continuously operating store, is a treasure trove of porcelain and pottery; this multigenerational business has been passing down its expertise in fine Chinese ceramics since 1890, and their contemporary pieces are just as stunning as their antiques. Yunhong Chopsticks turns the humble utensil into an art form, offering hundreds of styles from simple bamboo pairs to ornate gift sets made from rare woods and materials. For those seeking literary treasures, Yu & Me Books offers a curated selection focusing on Asian American voices—it's become both a neighborhood anchor and a cozy haven for book lovers since opening as Chinatown's first Asian American woman-owned bookstore. Ten Ren's Tea is a fragrant paradise for tea lovers, where knowledgeable staff will guide you through their vast selection of oolongs, pu-erhs, and green teas, while also stocking gorgeous teaware and gift sets. And don't miss Kamwo Herbal Pharmacy, where traditional Chinese medicine meets modern wellness – it's been a neighborhood institution since 1973, and whether you're looking for ginseng, herbal remedies, or just curious about Traditional Chinese Medicine, the friendly staff will patiently explain everything.
What To Do
Start your cultural exploration at the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), where exhibits chronicle the Chinese American journey from 19th-century railroad workers to contemporary creators. The oral history collection and rotating exhibitions shed light on the immigrant experience that shaped this neighborhood. Just a few blocks away, the stunning Museum at Eldridge Street tells a fascinating parallel story of Jewish immigrant life through its gorgeously restored 1887 synagogue; the building's breathtaking architecture and stained glass serve as a reminder of how different immigrant communities have shaped the Lower East Side and Chinatown through the centuries. For a moment of serenity, step into Mahayana Buddhist Temple on Canal Street, where a towering 16-foot golden Buddha statue commands quiet awe. When you need to rest your feet after a long day of eating and exploring, treat yourself to some relaxing pampering at Zu Yi Spa, where traditional Chinese foot massages and full-body treatments are a steal compared to Manhattan spa prices, and the no-frills atmosphere is part of the authentic charm.
Contributing Editor William Li is the founder of art consultancy Armature Projects and the Emmy-nominated co-host of Lucky Chow, a series about Asian food and culture on PBS.
