Philadelphia's Chinatown Neighborhood Guide

On any given day or night, Chinatown bustles with activity and authenticity, from the steaming platters of hand-stretched noodles to the seasonal street festivals to the locally guided tours and bubble tea. Here’s the scoop on the food, drinks, goods, and culture that make Philadelphia’s Chinatown worth exploring.

Restaurants:

• Banana Leaf – A casual but funky atmosphere complements Malaysian cuisine with Thai and Indian accents. The deeply spiced specialties include roti canai, curried chicken over coconut rice, and pad thai with basil noodles. 1009 Arch Street, (215) 592-8288, bananaleafphilly.com
• David’s Mai Lai Wah – Night-owl students, industry folks, and those hankering for authentic Chinese eats take advantage of the late-night hours here. Top menu items include salt-and-pepper squid, dumplings in ginger-scallion sauce and beef with pickled mustard greens.
  1001 Race Street, (215) 627-2610
• Dim Sum Garden – It may not exactly look like a garden, but the restaurant offers an abundant selection. The low-cost eats here include triple-steamed buns, pan-fried dumplings, and pumpkin cakes. The restaurant recently added a second sleeker location around the corner. 1020 Race Street, (215) 873-0258, dimsumgardenphilly.com
• Joy Tsin Lau – Affordable dumplings, shrimp balls, and chicken feet are served in plentitude at the dim-sum banquets here. This Chinatown institution is open every day and brings in a big weekend crowd. 1026 Race Street, (215) 592-7227, joytsinlauchineserestaurant.com
• M Kee – A relative newcomer to the scene, this diminutive eatery beckons with its lacquered ducks hanging in the window. The temptation continues with traditional Chinese barbecue spareribs and roast pork served over noodles, congee and rice. 1002 Race Street, (215) 238-8883
• Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House – Drawn in by the affordable prices, lunchtime visitors pack into this no-frills tables spot. The star feature: noodles, which come hand-drawn or shaved, fat or thin and swirled in a rich broth, tossed with peanut sauce or stir-fried. 1022 Race Street, (215) 923-1550
• QT Vietnamese Sandwich – When the banh mi craving hits, this little luncheonette is satisfied. The menu includes hoagies of both the meaty (house special includes barbecue pork, Vietnamese ham, and Vietnamese meat) and vegetarian (lemongrass tofu, mushrooms) varieties, all layered with cilantro, fresh cucumbers, pickled carrots, mayo, pate, and fresh jalapeños. 48 N. 10^th Street, (267) 639-4520
• Rangoon – The city’s only Burmese restaurant has successfully hooked Philadelphians on Thousand Layer Bread, fresh ginger salad, and fragrant stir-fry and noodle dishes. Vegetarian options abound. 112 N. 9^th Street, (215) 829-8939, rangoonphilly.com
• Red Kings 2 – Late-night hours (until 4:00 a.m. on weekends; 3:00 a.m. during the week) and the irresistible lure of Szechuan peppercorns make this sequel restaurant a major draw. Some diners insist that the Dan Dan noodles, cumin lamb and spicy boiled fish are the best in town. 1006 Race Street, (215) 238-1392
• Sang Kee Peking Duck House – The flagship of a local empire, Sang Kee built its name on noodle soups, garlicky greens, and, of course, roast duck. Patrons eagerly sample the Hong Kong fare on two floors of the restaurant. 238 N. 9^th Street, (215) 925-7532, sangkeechinatown.com
• Tai Lake – The tanks of fish and frogs hint at the freshness of ingredients in this seafood shop. Diners choose from authentic delicacies such as crabmeat and asparagus soup, chili-baked shrimp, and sautéed conch. 134 N. 10^th Street, (215) 922-0698, tailakeseafoodrest.com
• Tasty Place – Hungry neighborhood dwellers head underground in the Chinatown Mall for a true taste of Hong Kong. For two decades, Chef Simon Sei has satisfied their cravings for salt-and-pepper wings, homey soups, and spare ribs. 143 N. 11^th Street, (215) 592-8990
• Terakawa Ramen – Japanese noodle bowls topped with roast pork, a soft-boiled egg, or soy-flavored chicken makes up the main attractions at this sleek fast-service spot. The ramen-averse can sample platters with homemade curry, as well as a sandwich similar to a Japanese bun, with slowly braised pork, lettuce, tomato, and spicy mayonnaise. 204 N. 9^th Street, (267) 687-1355, terakawaramenphilly.com
• Vietnam – The food at this 11^th Street hangout is impossibly quick, surprisingly inexpensive, and deliciously authentic—and has been so since the early 1980s. Think crepes, broken rice platters, and steaming bowls of pho. 221 N. 11th Street, (215) 592-1163, eatatvietnam.com
• Xi’an Sizzling Woks – The bare-bones atmosphere here quickly recedes into the background when steaming platters of authentic Chinese fare arrive. Some of the specialties include Chinese hamburgers made with braised pork, dumplings in spicy and sour soup, and handmade east noodles. 902 Arch Street, (215) 925-1688, xian-sizzlingwoks.com

Quick Bites & Treats:

• Bread Top House – Breakfast here starts the day off right—and for a bargain. Freshly baked coconut buns, fruit smoothies, and milk teas hit the spot, and most items are around a dollar. 1041 Race Street, (215) 925-3802Heung Fa Chun Sweet House – Quick, light meals are the specialty at this easy-to-miss snackery. Favorites include sweet or savory dou hua (tofu custard), sticky rice with Chinese sausage, and fried sesame balls. 114 N. 10^th Street, (215) 238-8968
• Lucky Chinese Cookie Factory – Chinatown’s main cookie supplier is open daily from morning until early evening. Visitors can purchase freshly baked fortune cookies by the bag—even X-rated options are available for those so inclined. 155 N. 9^th Street, (215) 922-7288
• Mayflower Bakery and Café – A mainstay for cheap meals, Mayflower welcomes guests for breakfast or lunch. Behind the glass, displays sit crispy, fresh-out-of-the-oven delicacies, such as taro and red-bean buns, coconut bread, egg tarts, and even hot-dog buns. 1008 Race Street, (215) 629-5668
• Ray’s Café & Teahouse – Known for its siphoned specialty coffees and cold-brew ice coffee from around the world, Ray’s attracts caffeine-starved connoisseurs. There’s also a full menu of imported Taiwanese tea leaves and bubble teas, smoothies, and desserts such as coffee jelly made from the shop’s siphoned blend. 141 N. 9^th Street, (215) 922-5122, rayscafe.com
• Tea Dó – This modern teahouse with a Chinese pedigree serves little snacks all day long. A full selection of teas—with or without bubbles—accompanies gyoza, fish balls, and onigiri.
  132 N. 10^th Street, (215) 925-8889, tea-do.com
• Mr. Wish – For bubble tea, milk teas, and all-things creamy and sippable, this cheery boba shop delivers. Late-night hours make it a great place to hit before or after a concert at the Troc. 216 N. 10^th Street, (267) 457-2650

Shopping:

• Asia Crafts, Inc. – The city’s best outlet for Hello Kitty and her Sanrio pals stocks its shelves to the brim. Shoppers can find just about any item stamped with their iconic images at this fun Japanese toy and novelty store. 124 N. 10^th Street, (215) 925-3974
• Asia Supermarket – Set next to the Tasty Place restaurant, this food market offers a down-home shopping experience. Noodles, tea, condiments, cookware and a wide selection of herbal medicines line the aisles. 143 N. 11^th Street, (215) 928-9888
• Ip Novelty – One of the neighborhood’s best-kept shopping secrets, this store encourages bargaining. Offerings include mahjong sets, Buddha sculptures, teapots and more—all at good prices. 126 N. 10^th Street, (215) 928-1616
• Gyration Boutique – Inside this small boutique lies an expansive collection of gently used women’s designer clothing, jewelry and accessories. Many high-end designer labels line the walls and a small selection of cosmetics ensure customers can leave ready to look their best. 125 N. 11^th Street, (215) 925-3200
• Tuck Hing – The stock varies from week to week at Chinatown’s longest-running grocer. However, shoppers can always count on superb Chinese sausage, dried oysters and other staples of the Asian kitchen. 218 N. 10^th Street, (215) 627-2079

Bars & Nightlife:

• Bar.Ly – Forget flaming cocktails with colorful names—Chinatown is becoming a destination for serious beer and cocktail enthusiasts. With 60 beers on tap and a menu of global eats like cheesesteak spring rolls, Korean bulgogi sandwiches, and kimchi pizza, this sports bar/gastropub is part of the neighborhood’s new generation. 101 N. 11^th Street, (215) 922-2688, bar-ly.com
• Hop Sing Laundromat – Those in the know have caught on to the mysterious Lê and his bartending prowess. Chinatown’s quirky answer to a speakeasy hand-cracks its ice, freshly squeezes its fruit juice per order, and serves only exquisitely crafted cocktails. 1029 Race Street, hopsinglaundromat.com
• Tango – Dinner, and entertainment meet at this neon-lit combination noodle joint and karaoke bar. The menu features a wide range of Yakitori skewers, tempura rice bowls, and luxe private singing suites. 1021 Arch Street, (215) 925-8100, tangophilly.com
• The Trocadero – The ever-versatile former burlesque theater gives fans the chance to attend shows both large and small—whether it’s international bands, hip-hop artists, indie rockers, or the campy Movie Monday series. 1003 Arch Street, (215) 922-6888, thetroc.com
• Yakitori Boy – At this hotspot, the night starts with Yakitori, sushi, or sake bombs and ends with karaoke. Those too shy for the crowd can show off their musical stylings to friends in one of the coveted private lounges. 211 N. 11^th Street, (215) 923-8088, yakitoriboy.com

Arts & Culture:

• 10th Street Plaza – Capped by a pergola and guardian lions, this cornerstone park flanks Chinatown’s north end. A statue of Lin Zexu honors the Fujian province. 10^th & Vine Streets
• Asian Arts Initiative – This community? based arts center engages people to create art that explores the diverse experiences of Asian-Americans, addresses social context, and impacts the community in a positive way. The organization offers a full calendar of events, including exhibitions, public performances, out-of-school youth programs, and more.
  1219 Vine Street, (215) 557-0455, asianartsinitiative.org
• Chinese Zodiac Walk – The 95 bronze medallions embedded in the neighborhood’s sidewalks represent the Chinese calendar year. Look closely for all 12 animals, designed in a paper-cut style by Andrews/LeFevre Studios.
• Friendship Gate – Built by Chinese artisans in 1982 and refurbished in 2006, the dramatic gilt-painted entry symbolizes the connection between Philadelphia and its sister city Tianjin. Designed by architect Sabrina Soong, the structure recreates a Qing Dynasty style with Tianjin tiles. 10th & Arch Streets
• Mural Arts Program – The walls of Chinatown depict the area’s rich history and its vision for the future thanks to larger-than-life works created by Mural Arts Program designers and painters. For example, How We Fish is part of a citywide project to engage workers, business leaders, and residents in thinking about the role of work in the community. Tours depart from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Hamilton Building, 128 N. Broad Street, muralarts.org/tour
• Space 1026 – Started 18 years ago by a group of friends, this member-based collective includes a screen-printing shop, gallery, and a growing community of artists. The public is welcome to attend monthly gallery exhibitions, film screenings, a yearly fundraising auction, and other events. 1026 Arch Street, 2^nd floor, (215) 574-7630, space1026.com
• Wok ’n Walk Tours – Chef Joseph Poon’s group tours are the stuff of legend. The Chinatown jaunts include a visit to the fortune-cookie company, an Asian grocery, and a Chinese place of worship (among other stops) and end with a meal with Chef Poon at one of his favorite Chinatown restaurants. (215) 928-9333, josephpoon.com

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