The Chinese population of NYC has a long and impressive history. From the mid- eighteenth century onwards there’s been a Chinese presence in the city, and Manhattan’s modern Chinatown is the largest concentration of Chinese outside of China in the Western hemisphere. Though the community isn’t so densely populated or as tightly concentrated as it once was, the area is still a bustling, vibrant neighborhood, packed with Chinese shops and restaurants. On top of this, Chinese populations in Brooklyn and Queens continue to grow, forming fantastic new centers for authentic Chinese culture. Manhattan Chinatown, along Canal Street on the Lower West Side, can get a bit busy at times, with plenty of tourists, but for all of this it remains a colorful and fun place to eat, work, and visit.Brooklyn Chinatown, around the Sunset Park area, began to emerge in the 1980s and has become one of the fastest growing ethnic Chinese neighborhoods outside of Asia. In fact, with a recent decline in the number of ethnic Chinese actually living in Manhattan’s Chinatown, Brooklyn Chinatown may soon lay claim to being the largest Chinese population in the U.S. Nearby Brooklyn neighborhoods – Homecrest, Sheepshead Bay, and Bensonhurst – are now developing their own sizeable Chinese populations, sparking talk of Brooklyn’s second and third Chinatowns soon to emerge.Flushing, Queens, is also in the running as one of the fastest growing Chinese neighborhoods in the city. From the 1970s the Chinese population has boomed, and colorful parades and community centers are some of the more obvious signs that this Queens Chinatown is continuing to grow. As with Brooklyn, nearby neighborhoods are now becoming Little Chinas in their own right; Elmhurst, Queens has become known as Queens’ second Chinatown.However, while there are really quite a lot of unofficial Chinatowns in New York, Manhattan alone gets official recognition as the Chinatown in NYC.
Eating and Shopping
There’s no shortage of amazing Chinese food in New York City and many people will travel from other parts of the city simply to get the delicious authentic Chinese cuisine offered in Chinatown.New York International asked former NYC resident and Chinese foodie Jessica Gau for her recommendations of what to check out in and around NYC’s Chinatowns:Shanghai Cafe100 Mott Street, New York, NYReportedly the best pork soup dumplings – hands down! Handmade steamed dumplings, authentic and delicious. You can even order online.Excellent Pork Chop House3 Doyers Street, New York NYExcellent Pork Chop House provides some of the most authentic Taiwanese eats in the area. The must-get is the pork chop or chicken over rice. Also check out their shaved ice. Chinese and Taiwanese cuisine rarely rely on milk, so in lieu of ice cream, shaved ice comes with a fantastic variety of ingredients of top; red/green bean, taro, condensed milk, tapioca, grass jelly, and plenty more.Lastly, the must-go-to-place to be a true Chinese eater is in the New World Mall Food Court in Flushing. There are a dozen or more vendors selling everything from sweets to savory foods. If you’re big on spicy food, you’ll have to conquer Ma La Tang; a mishmash (of whatever you like) cooked in a spicy sauce that’s both fragrant and mouth-numbing. The degree of numbness can be tailored to your liking. Another favorite is the pan-fried pork buns.In addition, we have our own great suggestions for you:88 Palace88 East Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NYGrabbing brunch in one of the dim sum places at 88 Palace is a fantastic way to get good food for good prices. 88 Palace is on the second floor of East Broadway Mall, providing authentic, enjoyable food away from the tourist traps. The number of Chinese customers speaks of its quality.Chinatown Ice Cream Factory65 Bayard Street, New York, NYFor those with a sweet tooth, the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, now almost 30 years old, is a family-run shop offering frozen treats with a very Chinese twist. Flavors include ginger, green tea, red bean, black sesame, taro and zen butter as well as some of the more traditional Western choices.For groceries, Chinatown remains probably the cheapest place in the entire city for fresh fruit and vegetables. From the street-side stalls with their fast-paced chatter to the full Chinese supermarkets, Chinatown’s shops are worth visiting for price as well as variety. Two of the best are Hong Kong Supermarket and Kam Man. They stock plenty of everyday foodstuffs as well as some more exotic treats not found in U.S. stores.For imported Chinese goods, Pearl River on Broadway stocks a huge range of items: clothes, jewelry, children’s gifts, lanterns, china, furniture, arts supplies, and plenty more. Gift certificates are available too, if you want to give an unusual gift and encourage a friend to explore Chinatown along with you.
Festivals and Culture
Chinese festivals have become an annual part of NYC life. Colorful, loud, and fun, these cultural and historical festivals often include parades and can be a great way to spend an afternoon or evening.Chinese Lunar New Year Celebrations, see the Chinese New Year welcomed in. These celebrations take place on a different date every year as the traditional Chinese calendar is based on a lunar year. 2014 will see the Chinese year of the Horse begin on January 31st and will be marked with performances, parties, a parade, and more.The Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival, is a modern NYC take on the Chinese tradition of setting off firecrackers at midnight on New Years. Since it’s illegal in New York State to do so, a group of Chinatown organizations band together to have a fun, noisy, public celebration while still staying safe and legal.The Dragon Boat Festival, is a celebration of the fifth moon of the lunar calendar. One of the largest dragon boat festivals in the U.S. takes place annually in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. Featuring entertainment, food, and fun competitions, this festival is one to mark on your calendar.Mid-Fall Moon Festivals, a Chinese harvest festival, will see all sorts of events this September, marking the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. There’s a family day at the Museum of Chinese in America and a Lantern Parade in Union Square, as well as events throughout the city. There’s also a free Autumn Moon Festival at the Queens Botanical GardensChinese is now one of the five most spoken languages in NYC, and you can check out New York International’s own guide to the best places to learn languages for more information. This ancient, vibrant culture is a huge part of NYC life, and learning more about it is often as simple as walking out your door and into the city. Enjoy! Article updated January, 2014