Dumplings, Fortunes, and Anchovy French Fries: One Day in New York City's Chinatown
Photo: Lerone Pieters
Whether you’re a tourist visiting NYC for a few days or a long-standing local, Chinatown is always worth a peek. This guide points you in the direction of Baz Bagel, located right on the cusp of Chinatown for a breakfast bite. Next, you’ll dive into some of greatest stops the neighborhood has to offer. Shop Asian-owned businesses, snack on juicy dumplings, engage in the local culture, and discover new, inventive dishes.
Photo: Baz Bagel
Baz Bagel
10:30 am
Enjoy hand-rolled bagels, smoked fish, and other Jewish comfort fare in a cheery space with retro touches. Baz is technically located in Little Italy but it’s the perfect entry point to Chinatown. Grab a seat or take your bagel to go. We recommend going for the poppyseed bagel with bright pink beet and horseradish cream cheese, beefsteak tomato, and red onion. About $7.25 for a fantastic vegetarian breakfast that’ll help to offset all the juicy pork dumplings and buns you’ll be noshing on later in the day.
Photo: Pearl River Mart
Pearl River Mart
11:00am
Pearl River Mart is a historic Chinatown shop, an eclectic emporium with over three floors of Asian apparel, accessories, housewares, and furniture. Look for condiments, cookware, and other products from Asian-owned businesses and treat yourself with satiny sleek slippers or a robe.
Canal Street Market
12:00pm
Next, walk about three minutes to Canal Street Market, jam-packed with food vendors and artsy retail booths. Grab a matcha latte from Office Coffee for $5.00. And stop by American Design Club, Leibal, Office Magazine Newsstand, Preppy Trendy, and Mogutable — just a few of the amazing shops.
Photo: Mmuseum
Mmuseum
1:00pm
Visible through a 24/7 window, this mini modern natural history museum is dedicated to its signature curatorial style of "Object Journalism”. The small doors do open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11am to 6pm if you’re interested in taking a closer look.
Photo: Wing on Wo & Co.
Wing on Wo & Co.
1:30pm
The oldest shop in Chinatown is still family-owned. Founded in the 1890s by Walter Eng, the store started out selling food goods for the city’s growing population of Chinese immigrants. Today fifth-generation owner Mei Lum is helping to transform the business, taking things online and working to fight area gentrification to help preserve businesses like hers for years to come. Snag beautiful hand-painted spoons for around $3.50 each.
Photo: Precious Madubuike
Fried Dumpling
2:00pm
Grab your place in the queue which is often wrapped around outside the door. By heading over at a slightly later lunchtime hour, you may avoid the worst of it. But either way, the dumplings here are dished out quickly so it’s never that bad and always worth it. Order a bowl of the pork dumplings, five pieces for just $1.50. Cash only. Enjoy outside on the sidewalk with most other diners.
Ting Yu Hong Co.
2:30pm
Duck into Ting Yu Hong Co. just for the experience of shopping in one of the oldest shops in Chinatown. Inside you’ll find an exhilarating curated collection of vintage Chinese toys and goods.
Photo: Joan Tran
Mei Lai Wah Bakery
3:00pm
Head over to this no-frills but ultra-loved Chinese restaurant and bakery selling traditional buns along with rice noodle rolls and congee. Opt for a baked or steamed pork bun snack for a light $1.35. Order steamed if you want a sweet, soft treat, baked for a crusty bread exterior and warm pillowy sweet interior — or one of each. Cash only.
Mahayana Temple
3:30pm
Explore this serene urban temple complete with a large golden Buddha, a colorful altar, and beautiful paneled artwork that showcase his story. For $1.00, you can experience a fortune-telling session from one of the temple hosts. Remember to be respectful and as quiet as possible when visiting as this is a regular place of worship for nearby residents.
Columbus Park
4:00pm
Bring along a book and enjoy it inside this community park which is often bustling with residents demonstrating traditional Chinese music, playing mahjong, and morning tai chi.
Dr. Clark
5:00pm
End your day with this Chinatown hit. Dr. Clark serves up tabletop grill dinners, inventive Hokkaido-style eats, and a mix of creative cocktails using a roster of exotic ingredients. Treat yourself to the tabletop grill if you’re with a group. But, if it’s just you or you and a date, order up a tableful of snacks like the anchovy french fries for $12.00 and the Hokkaido-style fried chicken for $15.00. Wash it down with an FC Clark, an on-the-rocks cocktail made with cachaca, lime, and raw sugar — $16.00.
