What to do in 6 of America's biggest Chinatowns
From Honolulu to Houston, get to know these communities—and their museums, shops, restaurants, and more


For nearly 100 years, Chinatowns have dotted the country, from Portland, OR, to Boston, MA, all offering rich insights into Chinese culture and cuisine.
And while most of these neighborhoods attract tourists now, it’s important to remember that their creation was initially fueled by xenophobia. The Chinese community has been marginalized since the first immigrants made their way onto the shores of California in the mid 1800s. Those who came to America, mostly men, sought opportunity in gold mining, railroad expansion, and industries like lumber. What they found when they arrived, however, was hostility from other Americans who viewed them as a threat to their own financial security. They were isolated to their own communities, and the overall concept of Chinatown was born.
These communities are something much brighter these days. For millions of annual tourists in places like San Francisco and New York City, they’re must-experience neighborhoods packed with must-visit museums, restaurants, and shops. For others, Chinatown is home—and has been—for generations.
But Chinatowns across the country have not been immune to generations of gentrification. Slowly, with the soaring costs that come with city living, more and more Chinese Americans are fleeing Chinatowns for the ‘burbs. That’s why there’s no time like the present to connect with the communities like the ones below:


Houston
In the 1990s, Houston's Asian population grew by 76 percent, and is still the city's fastest growing ethnic group. Now, the Texas city has one of the largest Chinese populations in the United States. Houston’s first Chinatown was established east of Downtown, but in 1983 the location shifted southwest when the first Chinese-owned businesses opened in that section of the city.
Today, visitors will encounter temples, markets, coffee and tea houses, massive graffiti murals, and a panoply of dining options. One local favorite? Golden Dumpling House, a cash-only spot is known for its delicious, reasonably priced vegetable and beef dumplings. Or visit Mein and order the gu lo yuk, a Cantonese sweet-and-sour pork dish paired with bell peppers, pineapples, onions, and hawthorn juice.

Los Angeles
Los Angeles has the second-largest population of Chinese Americans in the United States, many of whom live in the nearby suburb of Monterey Park. But fueled by a budding food scene and regular music festivals, the area’s original Chinatown, in Downtown Los Angeles has seen a resurgence.
The area’s horrific history—most notably, the 1871 lynching of 19 Chinese men and boys—is well documented at the Chinese American Museum, a worthy cultural stop. For an extended history lesson, The Chinese Historical Society of Southern California has been giving walking tours of the area since 1981. Nearby, at Far East Plaza, visitors will find stalls and restaurants like Howlin’ Ray’s, a Southern fried chicken spot known for its spicy sandwiches and long lines.
Kim Chuy Restaurant, where the founder Kim Chuy Tang has been serving Chiu Chow–style noodle dishes and Chinese porridge since 1982, is also worth a detour.

San Francisco
San Francisco’s Chinatown neighborhood draws more tourists annually than the Golden State Bridge. In addition to being the most populous Chinatown outside of Asia—with the largest annual Chinese New Year festival in the country—it’s also the oldest. The area was initially known as “Little Canton” until a newspaper article in 1853 used “Chinatown” for the first time.
Start your visit at Dragon’s Gate, a paifang marking the official entrance into Chinatown. From here, visit the Chinese Cultural Center, which is especially buzzy on Saturdays, and the neighborhood’s oldest Taoist temple, Tin How, which was built in 1852.
When it comes to meals, perhaps no place is more deserving than Delicious Dim Sum on Jackson Street; order the version with the shrimp, cilantro, and chives, then hit Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Co for dessert.

New York City
There are a dozen Chinatowns in New York City—where close to one million people identify as Chinese—including the one anchored by Canal Street in Lower Manhattan.
At the Mahayana Temple, the largest and oldest Chinese Buddhist temple in New York, you’ll find stunning altars and an exhibit about Buddha’s life. At the nearby Museum of Chinese in America (MoCa), you can explore the history of the Chinese communities in the United States through photos, art, documents, and more.
Porcelain and pottery collectors should head to the oldest shop in the neighborhood: Wing on Wo and Co. The store has been around since 1925, but its original location—across the street—started welcoming customers in the 1890s. Mei Lum is now the store’s fifth-generation owner.
You really can’t go wrong popping into any of the family-owned restaurants and bakeries along Mott Street, but Big Wong King is an especially good standout, from the melt-in-your-mouth duck to the warm hospitality.

Chicago
First founded in the late 19th century by workers fleeing violence on the West Coast, Chicago’s Chinatown community boomed as the transcontinental railroad brought more jobs to the area. And it’s only grown since then: Within three decades, the population in Chicago’s Greater Chinatown neighborhood more than doubled, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
To learn more about the area, book one a culture-focused tour with the Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute. Then wander the stalls of Chinatown Square. Inspired by the design of the Chinese Imperial Court, with 12 Chinese zodiac animal statues, this area is always buzzing with activity—it’s not unlikely that you’ll catch a dance performance or live music at some point in the day. From here, venture over to Ping Tom Memorial Park for some kayaking or simply to catch amazing skyline views.
At Chiu Quon, the oldest bakery in the neighborhood, the barbecue pork buns have kept customers returning for more than 25 years; no doubt, you’ll struggle to pick just one of the 22 flavor varieties, which include taro, raisin, and curry beef. If you’re able to walk—and have a hankering to sample a bit of everything—tee up with the Chinatown Adventure Food Tour, a highly rated walking tour company that stops at five restaurants.

Honolulu
Founded in the 1840s when thousands of immigrants came to the island to work on sugar plantations, Honolulu’s 36-acre Chinatown burned down in 1900 in what has come to be known as the Great Chinatown Fire. With resilience and grit, the community rebuilt their beloved neighborhood from the ashes. In the more recent part of its 100-plus-year revival, Chinatown has become a hub of nightlife, art, food, and culture. Today, the neighborhood is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring its buildings and storefronts can’t be demolished for new development.
The mix of Chinese businesses, modern Asian-fusion restaurants, and the occasional New American joint make Honolulu’s Chinatown unique. It can be fun for visitors to experience the breadth; head to Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery for manapua (Cantonese-style barbecue pork wrapped in dough), Fook Lam for dim sum, and Little Village Noodle House for classic egg noodle dishes.
But don’t sleep on newer dining outlets, either. The Pig & The Lady serves a beloved oxtail pho, Fête for foie gras potstickers and Brooklyn vibes, and Senia for fresh seafood and small plates. Round out the visit with a stop at Bās Bookshop, an independently owned bookstore for the arts, and a few of the area’s many modern art galleries, like Arts & Letters Nu‘uanu.