“I’m going to Chinatown this weekend. Where do you think I should go?”
I get this question all the time. With all of Chinatown’s restaurants, shops, bakeries and cafes catering to wildly different tastes, it seems nuts to think there is one right answer.
So to help visitors navigate the dense, rich neighborhood, I enlisted the help of three foodies and Chinatown experts: physician Chris Chiang, Chinese cultural instructor Z.J.
Tong and lawyer Rob Gardner. Here is our critical guide to Chinatown.
SHOPPING
CERAMICS
Dalin, 2215 S. Wentworth Ave.; 312-225-3333 and 2169-A S. China Pl.; 312-808-9771. “Good for
ceramics, wall art and figurines.” — Z.J. Tong
SOUVENIRS
Giftland, 2212 S. Wentworth Ave.; 312-225-0088, www.chicagogiftland.com.
Located in the historic On Leong building, this shop sells reasonably priced souvenirs, toys and silk clothing. –Tong
LATE NIGHT
BEST SNACKS
Triple Crown, 211 W. 22nd Place; 312-791-0788. A bunch of dishes drop down to half price after 10 p.m. in this slightly shabby but excellent Cantonese joint that closes at 2 a.m.
Two to try: Hundred-flavored shrimp and Hong Kong-style blue crabs. –Monica Eng
EATING
DONGBEI REGION
Dragon King Restaurant, 2138 S. Archer Ave.; 312-881-0168. For food from China’s northeastern Dongbei region and private karaoke dinners upstairs, you can’t beat it.
“I like the sweet and sour fish,” says Tong.
Two to try: Hot pepper tofu noodles and the pork and sour cabbage soup. –Tong
CHINESE CONTINENTAL
House of Fortune, 2407 S. Wentworth Ave.; 312-225-0880. “They are very willing to accommodate special requests if you call in advance.”
Two to try: Beijing duck and special vegetarian dishes recommended by the chef. –Tong
INEXPENSIVE CANTONESE
Mountain View Chef, 2168 S. Archer Ave.; 312-842-2168. Fun, lively family restaurant with late hours and tasty snacks.
Two to try: Farm-raised chicken in ginger sauce and Dungeness crab. –Rob Gardner
SHANGHAI
Moon Palace, 216 W. Cermak Rd.; 312-225-4081. Chinatown’s oldest Shanghainese place. But “not always super friendly with adventurous non-Chinese diners.”
Two to try: Shanghainese soup dumplings and braised pork shoulder over spinach or baby bok choy. –Gardner
VIETNAM
Hing Kee, 2140 S. Archer Ave.; 312-808-9538. Friendly, casual Vietnamese cafe with terrific bargain combos for $7.50, which often include appetizer, main course and drink (try the excellent mango shake or intense French coffee).
Two to try: Any of the lunch/dinner deals are tasty and generous, especially those that feature the fat, crispy spring rolls or meat and noodle combos called bun thit. –Eng
PAN ASIAN
Joy Yee’s Noodle, 2159 S. China Pl.; 312-328-0001. Long lines, but we love the delicious bubble teas and the huge portions.
Two to try: Korean short ribs and the fun pineapple fried rice. –Eng
YUNAN
Spring World, 2109 S. China Pl.; 312-326-9966. This modest eatery is happy to help you learn about this regional cuisine, especially “crossing the bridge” noodles.
Two to try: Beef with special Yunanese mushrooms and the vinegary, cuminy chile-packed chicken with rice cake. –Eng
TAIWAN
KS Seafood, 2163 S. China Place; 312-842-1238: This new Taiwanese restaurant brings upscale fare from the island to Chinatown at last.
Two to try: Pork and beef buns and fried baby eels. — Eng
MALAYSIA
Penang, 2201 S. Wentworth Ave.; 312-326-6888. A hip oasis of Malaysian cuisine with a dance club upstairs.
Two to try: Roti canai and beef rendang. –Gardner
DIM SUM
WEEKEND DIM SUM FROM CARTS
Phoenix, 2131 S. Archer Ave.; 312-328-0848.
Sure it can get crowded and service can be harried, but for sheer dim sum selection (they feature dozens of these small bites) and the great view of Chicago’s skyline, this is the place to be.
Two to try: Yeast buns with crispy sugar topping and flaky, warm barbecued pork pastries. –Eng
A LA CARTE DIM SUM
Shui Wah, 2162 S. Archer Ave.; 312-225-8811. I like this place because you can order the food fresh and hot, even if it takes a little longer.
Two to try: Chive dumplings and fluffy fried taro puff. — Eng
BAKERY
Tasty Place, 2101 S. China Pl.; 312-842-2228. “I love coming here around 9 a.m. and eating things as they emerge from the kitchen. I really like the sugar-topped coconut buns and chestnut cake.”
Two to try: Flaky red bean cakes and warm egg tarts. –Chris Chiang
FUN FOOD
HONG KONG-STYLE BARBECUE
BBQ King House, 2148 S. Archer Ave.; 312-326-1219; plus 2 more locations. Stand in the takeout line or sit in the fairly fancy dining room for delicious, inexpensive barbecued pork, duck and chicken, and a set-price Beijing duck meal.
Two to try: Barbecued duck and X/O accented beef chow fun. –Chiang
HOT POT
Mandarin Kitchen, 2143 S. Archer Ave.; 312-328-0228. This dumpling house with an emphasis on Shanghainese cuisine puts together one tasty hot pot.
Two to try: Northern boiled pork dumplings called jiao zi and scallion pancakes rolled with beef. –Eng
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meng@tribune.com
