Chicago really is one of the best cities in the world, and one of the best perks of the city is Chinatown. This guide is a list of things to do in Chinatown for the perfect day out. For me, the thing that makes this neighborhood so special is the food. So my suggestions basically is…eat your way through Chinatown Chicago.
This post is all about things to do in Chinatown Chicago!
Start at Chinatown Gate
When you arrive in Chinatown, there are two main areas to explore. The first begins at the Chinatown Gate leading into Wentworth Ave. This is a great place to start, snapping a picture in front of the beautiful gate and lantern lined street. Then head further down the street for countless restaurants, shops and businesses.
Grab a Sweet Treat
Just down the street from the Chinatown Gate, check out Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum. This bakery has tons of traditional Chinese baked goods, both sweet and savory. They have cookies, sweet coconut buns, egg custards, cakes, and even savory meat buns.
Check out Chinatown Square
The other main area of Chinatown is just around the corner in Chinatown Square. This outdoor mall area houses tons of restaurants, shops and businesses. This is the area you will find the most things to do in Chinatown Chicago.
Build your dream Tea at Joy Yee
It is easy to see why Joy Yee is so very popular in the area. Besides having a huge food menu, the real draw to this spot is the endless combinations of milk teas, fruit teas, boba teas and more delicious drinks. Be sure to stop in to create your dream tea combination. My recommendation is to not miss out on the popping pearls and basil seeds, but truly you really can’t go wrong with any combination.
Eat All the Soup Dumplings
I would be lying if I didn’t say I think this is the best part of Chinatown: the soup dumplings. On my day outing, we stopped at both Hing Kee and Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings. And I am so glad we did! At QXY Dumplings we ordered both the steamed pork and leek, and the pan-fried chicken and mushroom dumplings, and both were superb. Don’t miss out on the chili oil, black vinegar and soy that they have on the table. But hands down, the best bite of the day was the pork soup dumplings at Hing Kee. Tender wrappers and filling, enveloped in the most flavorful broth. I left feeling like a dumpling myself, but it was so worth it.
Try the Peking Duck
In several windows in Chinatown, you will see the beautiful Bbq’d Peking ducks hanging. The smell alone is enough to lure you to the windows and into the shops. If you haven’t had duck before, no fear, it’s truly delicious. And these Peking duck’s are about as deliciously roasted as they can get. Check out BBQ King for one of these mouthwatering bites.
Take a walk in Ping Tom Memorial Park
Once you have sufficiently stuffed yourself, head over to Ping Tom Memorial Park for a walk along the river. The park is a community space for people who live in Chinatown, but it is also a great place to visit. The pagoda-style buildings offers covered space to have a rest and enjoy the day. There are even kayak rentals available in the summer. It is the perfect place to wrap up your things to do in Chinatown Chicago.
Enjoy!
This post was all about things to do in Chinatown Chicago!
For other travel tips, check out my Mykonos Trip post or Barcelona Guide!
