Chinatown

Chinatown! East broadway is mostly filled with Fujianese people. Canal St are bootleg merchandise. Mott St is for the tourists and Bowery is just packed with cars.
I love chinatown and the food!

Solid 3 star review from me. Chinatown has always somewhat mystified me in that I feel its a separate city in an actual city. Thing is though you stick out like a sore thumb when you’re not from there.
Chinatown Boasts plenty of eateries that have things you will not find in your local take out. Too bad trying to read the menu’s, you’ll have to bring someone who could read Mandarin or Cantonese. There’s plenty of fruit/​vegetable stands with super cheap prices that cannot compare to the grocery store.
That’s the bright side. There is a dark side and were going there. This neighborhood is dirty. I drive through often and its most dirty in the AM after whatever goes on at night. Trash strewn everywhere, baskets overflowing, various juices on the street, and snot/​spit from people of all ages are all wonderful things you’d find in good ol’ Chinatown. Seriously you cannot go far without someone in front or back of you making that hack sound.
Despite all that its seedy. Run down canal street and you’ll have peddlers whispering that they’re selling handbags. Everyone seems like they’re a lookout for something or someone.
Be sure to pay attention to the sanitary grades of the restaurants and food spots as most of them in this area have B or C.
Maybe one day it’ll get cleaned up but until then don’t say I didn’t warn you!

There are few original, ethnocentric neighborhoods from my youth left in Manhattan.
Gone is Germantown on the upper East Side. Little Italy is more like a fantasy build at Epcot Center and the LES — once an eastern European/​Puerto Rican immigrant wonderland 40 years ago — now caters to the eclectic tastes and awesomeness of well heeled millennials, i-​Gens and swanky tourists.
Authenticity has fled to the outer boroughs.
Many claiming Manhattan as home these days play a foodie version of «Where’s Waldo» — competing for culture cred with one another via hidden rathskellers/​dive bars and all sorts of «in» dining and drinking establishments «outed» by Bourdain and Zimmern and their pop culture ilk.
Nothing wrong with evolution — mind you — things always change — and for curmudgeons like me its adapt or perish. I know that.
But Chinatown … oh Chinatown … how you have resisted colonization by the culture of cool and how comforting your embrace!
Ethnic Chinese alongside other Asian cultures live, work eat and recreate here … it is as authentic as it ever was — maybe even more so because more Chinese regions are now represented here. You can taste, smell and touch the cultural nuances walking the streets all hours of the day and night, and the sensory inputs tingle long after you leave.
Sure. Foodie entrepreneurs have invaded Chinatown too, and there is an increasing attempt to commoditize culture for tourists on a weekend furlough. But thankfully, some traditions die hard, and I am gratified that this neighborhood continues to creep outward rather than collapse onto itself .
Chinatown has yet to sell out its soul to the real estate boom that is Manhattan — and I hope that it will stay this way for a longtime to come.
长命

Alex H’s review says it all!~
The best place to go for cheap delicious food and dessert. Prosperity Dumplings, Lam Zhou Noodles, 10Below Ice Cream, and of course bubble tea shops can be found every 2 blocks.
In addition, Chinese New Year parade every year is always a fun time. Usually sometimes in February. Lets not forget Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center. Fun place for a date. No trip to NYC is complete without visiting Chinatown.

It’s a love/​hate relationship of Chinatown. Great food, groceries at cheaper prices and a place to visit. Hate the crowds and parking but love it because we grew up in this town.

road to 2016 #2
«Culture, history»
As everyone knows Chinatown host the largest amount of Chinese people in America period and I have to say this area in new York by far showcases us decades of culture and history. walking through canal street, seeing the older women practice tai-​chi in the park you get a hint of hong kong right in front of your eyes. you are basic traveling without ever leaving the states.
«Food»
Chinese food from every region possible, but even if you wanted a bit more variety, you always have Taiwanese, Vietnamese food (my favorite), Korean, and plenty of other Asian types of food in this area, so don’t fret if you cant find your taste because if you seek you will certainly find it here.
«crowds»
Chinatown is the one of the more busier areas in the city, lots of crowds so as a word of advice be sure to find shortcuts for the easiest way to walk because the main routes walking will stall you.
overall:
I am very pleased every time im in Chinatown with my friends or girlfriend, this is one of the main spots I hang out in!

Surely there must be another review of the neighborhood, FTR.

I have been coming to Chinatown since the days it was located between Canal Street Columbus Park, Eldrige and Worth Streets and there was a large and thriving Little Italy full of Italians. I still frequent many of the same places as in the 60’s and 70’s which is quite cool.
Manhattan Chinatown is crowded, loud, dirty and awesome! On weekends toursits clog the streets and slow walking to a crawl when combined with the local seniors. And just accept that you will run into some servers and sales people who will act like it was an imposition that you asked them for anything (remember the housekeeper on the TV show the Jeffersons?) and have limited English skills until it comes time for the tip!
While downloading has made the hawkers of $ 5 DVD’s an endangered species, there are still plenty of shysters who will hound you for buy knock off watches and handbags
Several times a year there are parades for festivals that tie up the streets and challenge you to cross and when it rains, short people with spiked umbrellas find a way to have them just miss your eyes (at least so far), I have reviewed many of my favorite places and am always on the prowl for new ones!

Interesting place, definitely a place to visit if you are in New York. The people are nice, the culture is beautiful. You can find a variety of thing, from good food to authentic products.

Chinatown 唐人街 tong4 jan4 gaai1 (tang2 ren2 jie1) or 紐 約 華 埠, New York City!
Home to the largest enclave of Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere. It is one of the oldest ethnic Chinese enclaves outside of Asia in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
Dim Sum
Narrow streets
Mobile street peddlers
Since I am sadly unable to travel to Hong Kong I can certainly bring the language, rich culture, traditions, food and overall spirit to New York City!

I cannot believe that someone actually put Chinatown as a place to review but it is indeed necessary and thanks so much for that. Well, let me start by saying in all of the 5 boroughs, Chinatown has to be the most happening place there is without any use of lights, parades, events, festivals and other props. It is the very definition of the city that never sleeps.
With it’s plethora of restaurants opening from 5:30AM (Mei Sum Bakery) — 4AM (69 Bayard/​NY Noodle Town), it is the absolute place to eat in All of New York for taste, quality, price and portion. It easily it beats all other citys’ Chinatown restaurants in recent memory including San Francisco, San Jose, Daly City, Foster City, Philadelphia, New Jersey, even a non Chinatown like Flushing.
The proof is in the taste and for some of you reading this, don’t just go for your Chicken and Broccoli or Pork Fried Rice, you come to know as representing all of Chinese food. Go for the
Salt n’ Pepper Pork Chop
XO T-​Bone Steak
Sigaporean Stir Fried Noodles
Seafood Pan Fried Noodles
Watercress in Fermented Tofu Sauce
Lobster Cantonese Style
King of Chickens (Ba Wong Chicken)
Fishbelly Soup
Grilled Cuttlefish
Fried Flounder
Steamed Talapia in Blackbean Sauce with Tofu Base
Beef and Chives Omlette
Salted Fish, Eggplant and Chicken Casserole
…and so much more
Sweets/​Coffee? Everything less sweet than its western counterparts and competitors. I mean places still charging $ 0.80 for a cup of coffee that easily beats Starbuck, Dunkin Doughnuts or McDonalds for that matter and with the pastries and bakeries you don’t have to worry about getting diabetes in Chinese bakeries. Try the
Egg Custard
Law Mai Chee (Mochi Ball)
Various Buns
Sesame Rolls
Fried Crullers
Sesame Paste
Maw Maw Ja Ja (Consists of Taro, Carrots, Tapioca in a nice coconut milk hot soup)
Red Bean, Green Bean Sweet Soup
Even a nice 18 inch fresh fruit cake goes for $ 15
And so much more
Now Chinatown has a reputation for food making up at least 80% of the attraction while clothing is about 10% for Natives and Tourists alike, the only other thing I can elaborate on is Massage, Medicine, Karaōke, Antiques, Museums and Grocery Shopping.
Starting with Grocery, Antiques and clothing stores, Chinatown always have things from things Asia readily available to be able to see in person, whether from Burma, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam. Statues. That includes and is not limited to calligraphy, weapons, stones, jewelry, art work, other artifacts, specialty spices and food/​beverage products specific to their origin, just try that outside of Chinatown and the closest would be Pearl River (which is actually a few blocks away from Chinatown).
MoCA, a real nice museum dedicated to preserving the history/​legacy of the Chinese in Americas building railroads (for ½ the wage of Americans of the time), Blasting gold mines in the mountains that most other groups are scared to death doing, Out of all immigrant groups, the Chinese being detained the longest (some for even 60 years) in Angel Island Immigration Station.
Massage is amazing I mean you’re paying $ 30 for an hour and you’ll feel completely refreshed and may even feel some of your deep hidden pains are now gone. That’s acupressure and deep tissue message based on not just nerves and muscle but of course Meridians (pressure points). The whole body and if you have injuries, even better. As long as you can tolerate the pain during treatment, you’ll find that afterward, it’s much more «fixed» than it was before and now you can use it again, whether arms, legs, neck, back. I mean I use the term «fixed» as this is a healing message, not a «feel good» message which is why I emphasize pain.
There is so much more I’d like to write, but that will take out the other mysteries of Chinatown. Anyway, I’d personally like to thank the person who listed Chinatown as a place to review and to anyone who read the whole review/​guide, I hope you found it of use.

Chinatown was my backyard and playground while growing up. Even during the dangerous bad ol’ days, we still had fun in the streets. On Chinese New Year, you’d find us out on the sidewalks of Mott St with our firecrackers & bottle rockets (the little pyromaniac delinquents that we were). During the hot summers, the fire hydrants would be blasting water for us to run through. All these things are illegal now (as if they weren’t then), done away by subsequent Mayoral administrations.
The face & feel of Chinatown has evolved as new groups of immigrants come from different provinces of China like Fujian (Fukien) to replace the old groups from Canton (Guangdong) and Toishan. Back then, there was even a mix of Italian flavoring in the social fabric being next to Little Italy and the great street fairs, like the San Gennaro Feast that sprawled over both neighborhoods. Today, you have sprinklings of Vietnamese, Cambodian, Tibetan, Indian and other Asian influences melting into the pot.
Tourism is bigger than ever in C-​town. Before, you would see tour groups filing off buses led by guides and their umbrellas, but many are now staying in the area. You can’t believe the number of hotels that have sprouted up or under construction, which was unheard of 20 – 30 yrs ago. Whether you’re looking for that «replica» Louis Vuitton bag (wink wink), the perfect cha siu bao, extra soupy dumpling, tasty bubble tea or a fresh peeled lychee, you can’t beat a trip down to Chinatown.

It’s just ok and a bit overrated, but if you know where to go and have a friendly guide with you leading the way it’s a fun, cultural, and tasty experience.
One of NYC’s oldest enclaves. Old mixed in with the new nowadays. From all the pristine bubble tea spots to the traditional old-​school stalwarts such as Nom Wah Tea Parlor. Yummm… dim sum. Those pork buns are the best. So many restaurants to choose from, and it’s great when down here on jury duty. Some not so great eateries too that borderline on skeevy. Cheap lunch specials. Dumpings, desserts, strange fruit stands, fresh seafood, animal carcasses hanging in windows — it’s all seen here.
Dim sum, pork buns, and mochi — oh my!
Then you have all the knockoff handbag, jewelry, watches, and clothing imitators hawking their wares non-​stop. Cheap imitations that the tourists love and rips off the real manufacturers. Capitalism at both it’s worst and finest. Annoying everyone as they try to navigate crowded sidewalks. Yet, there is something endearing about it all.
But for the love of God what the heck is that smell in the summer when it’s hot and humid outside? Sorry, but it’s the truth. Chinatown reeks during the NYC summers. Some streets worse than others. Watch where you step. You might be sorry.
Yet, I have to admit I like coming down here once in a while to engage in the hustle and bustle, gaze upon the lights and sounds as the sun goes down, and sit at a table in an unknown restaurant to try something totally new to my palate. It is like another country down here in this lower part of Manhattan. When you see the spectacle of a wedding, a cultural event, or a fun holiday being celebrated it is something to remember. The traditions carry on down here.

4.5 for me.
I grew up in C-​Town so I’ve seen a lot. The good, the bad and the ugly.
I wanted to move out as a kid mostly because of the gang activity. My own brother was accosted all the time by gangs to recruit him. Not everything is great in C-​town.
Of course everyone knows the great things about it, the awesome roast pork buns from Hop Shing, the bbq items hanging from the windows, the soup dumplings, the cheap quality imitations, and cheap prices in general. But we have our share of corruption, rudeness, city rats, and skid row looking areas.
Despite moving away several times in my life, I find myself missing C-​town when I am too far. Not so much the rude people but more the hustle and bustle, the stores, and being around people like me… and I really miss Hop Shing’s baked roast pork buns and Cha Chang Tang’s Fish Fillet with Spaghetti and tomato sauce and Heping’s soup dumplings!
One thing changing is the Cantonese stores and restaurants that once populated the entire area are now dwindling down to near nothing. This saddens me. That is what I grew up with. Watching C-​town change through the years is quite disheartening to the Cantonese part of me.
But one thing that will never change… you can take the girl outta Chinatown but never Chinatown outta the girl.

I love NY Chinatown. I have been to Chinatown throughout the US from San Francisco, LA, Seattle, Chicago, Boston, DC, Philly, and of course the Big Apple. You will find more than the typical plethora of shops, Dim Sum Restaurants and Bakeries. You will be enthralled with a hustle and bustle close to Hong Kong or Beijing. Whether buying Fake Rolex watches or eating Peking Duck, you will enjoy old fashioned bartering and wonderful hospitality.

One of my favorite areas of New York is Chinatown.
I used to visit Chinatown as a toddler, eating dim sum with my grandparents. As I got older, I would perch on the counter as they bustled about their business. As a teen, I would come crash at a friend’s relatives apartment after hitting up an Asian club. I grew distant from Chinatown during the college years, turning my nose against the stench of fish in the summer heat.
And now I have returned, loving this area of New York more than ever. I love the bustle, the grandmas and their kids/​grandkids, the rainbow selection of fresh fruits/​vegetables/​seafood. I even love the grandparents and moms fight over halfway rotten produce they sell in bags for a dollar at 6pm. I love how the sun hits this part of the crumbling yet new city as the day turns. I love how you can hear multiple Chinese languages, the flicker of hope in the new immigrant’s eye. The dream of America. I love how startled groups of tourists look in awe of the food and the bustle, I love how they look as if they stumbled onto another country.
I love that little lady in the corner screaming about steamed sticky rice dumplings for a dollar. I love the doufu fa lady waiting patiently in that hole in a wall on Grand Street, whether the weather is rain/​sleet/​snow or shine. I love how old and new live and thrive. How you can feed your family and hit all four food groups on the bottom dollar. Chinatown, you have renewed my hope in people and in this wonderous city.

China Town ist auf jeden Fall mal einen Besuch wert, ist man hier doch angeblich in der grössten chinesischen Kolonie ausserhalb Chinas. OK, ich vergass Hong Kong ;-) — Achtung, ein politisches Statement!
Unglaublich, was die hier «kulinarisch» gesehen in den Läden alles so verkaufen! Und am erstaunlichsten fand ich, daß es in diesem Ghetto ernsthaft Menschen gibt, die des Englischen nicht mächtig sind. Gut, das gibt’s zugegebenermassen bei uns in Deutschland unter manchen ausländischen Clans leider auch. Hier im Multikultiland ist es wohl inzwischen normal geworden; hoffentlich wird diese Art von Gesellschaft in der Gesellschaft nicht bei uns auch mal normal.
Oder ist es das etwa schon???