NYC Food Tour: Chinatown

Experience Chinatown’s famous local foods and popular traditions in the neighborhood

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: Cuisine
Duration: 3 hours
Location: New York

Photos & Highlights

Discover the neighborhood's best foods, while learning about its unique history
Guided tour led by an acclaimed chef or culinary expert
Chinatown, Various specialty food shops, and Doyers Street

Tour Description

Our local experts have handpicked a selection of Chinatown’s most mouthwatering delicacies – and combined it with the historical narratives which give you a newfound appreciation for Chinatown’s unique position as one of the largest immigrant communities in North America. During this 3 hour tour, we’ll contextualize local monuments, schools, and temples as we learn about Chinese-American history and social justice.

Sites Visited

Local shops and grocers – such as Mott Street Eatery
Doyers Street vendors and the Mahayana Buddhist Temple
Samples of foods such as beef pancakes, rice rolls, egg tarts, dumplings, and more
- We can accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut-free diets – please let us know in advance

Included

Food sampled on the tour

Itinerary Details

Your tour begins from the center of Chinatown, with an introduction to the neighborhood’s historical foundations. Home to one of the densest immigrant populations in the country, this part of New York is like none other — the markets, small eateries, stands, shops, and streets will transport you to China. Its rich history, culture, and traditions are incredibly alive here, both in the food and the other sites you’ll see along the way.

After a briefing on the area, you’ll set off on your culinary journey, stopping at several styles of establishments which may include a tea parlor, a market, a sweet shop, a dumpling house, or another local style eatery. Along the way, let your expert know of any particular interests (or cravings) you might have while exploring this unique side of New York.

As your taste your way through the growing neighborhood, we will contextualize historical monuments that have had a great influence on Chinese culture and New Yorkers alike. A visit to Chinatown would be remiss without a stop at Doyers Street. An influx of Chinese people into America and the Long Depression of the 1870s led to the Chinese Exclusion Act–causing racial discrimination and inevitably clans and associations to provide protection.

What became known as the “Bloody Angle,” the Doyers street intersection was at the center of more deaths in one year than at any other street intersection in the United States. The narrow, near ninety-degree angle street, was lined with tenement buildings which were also prone to fires that were incredibly difficult to put out. A street that caused an NYC mayor to suggest that the entire neighborhood be replaced is now a thriving center for tourists and locals to enjoy speakeasy bars and delicious Chinese food restaurants.

By the end of our walk, you'll come away with an appreciation for and understanding of the rich Asian culinary tradition that still exists in Chinatown. Using the lessons learned with our gastronomic expert, you'll also comfortably be able to navigate the neighborhood’s best eateries and shops during your next trip to New York City.

To continue your exploration of NYC, take a look at our Italian Food Tour, New York in a Day Tour, and Met Museum Crash Course Tour.

FAQ

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Book with confidence — See Context's flexible cancellation policy here.

Where do we meet? Where does it end?

We usually meet near the Chinatown information Kiosk and end near Kulu Desserts on Grand Street, though your route may differ slightly according to your guide. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map.

Is this suitable for children?

Yes, we can tailor this walk to adventurous eaters in your party. Please let us know the children's ages at time of booking.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Unfortunately, several stops on this tour do have front steps which can be hard to maneuver with strollers or wheelchairs. Please reach out to our team at info@contexttravel.com to share your mobility concerns and we can discuss if an expert has an adaptable route for your needs.

Can I participate in food tours if I have food allergies?

Yes. If anyone in your group has specific allergies or intolerances, you must indicate these in the Notes section when booking. Your guide will do their best to accommodate. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut-free diets can certainly be accommodated, although the shops we visit do use wheat flour and nuts in the kitchen for other items.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Dave

Dave Cook is a New York-based photojournalist. Since 2005 his website Eating In Translation has explored lesser-known food in the five boroughs of the city and, occasionally, farther afield. Dave's work has also appeared in The Art of Eating; Culinary Backstreets; The New York Times; Savoring Gotham: A Food Lover's Companion to New York City; and many other publications.

Kendra

Kendra Dawsey brings her years of experience in both teaching and performance to help create an immersive and engaging tour for you! Kendra received a B.A. in Ethnicity, Race and Migration at Yale in 2014 and then spent the next few years teaching gardening, nutrition, and culinary history to grades K-12. Also, Kendra leads tours in some of New York's most beloved sites like Radio City Music Hall and Central Park. Kendra's academic background and diverse experiences give her the ability to contextualize the history and diversity of New York in a way that is accessible to visitors. Kendra has family roots in New York City and was born just an hour away, allowing for frequently trips to see family and friends. These visits helped her to develop a map and history of the city that never sleeps at a young age. Kendra's love of New York shines through all of her anecdotes and tales about the city. She also is a professional performer and will ensure that you are both educated and entertained.

5 Reviews – (4.52)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Kendra was amazing! So knowledgeable, friendly and conversational. Definitely impressed with the amount and variety of food and we tried food we likely never would have on our own.

Amy

Dec. 10, 2022

We definitely experienced and tried foods that we would not have, had we not taken the tour. There was some information about specific murals and some information about Chinatown, but we would have loved even more depth regarding the cultural/historical details of the area. Dave was clearly very knowledgeable about the food and provided useful tidbits but the richness of academic content was not what we have come to expect on a Context Tour. That said, this was a foodie tour so we are not disappointed - just sharing our experience.

Yasmin

Nov. 29, 2022

Dave was extremely knowledgeable about Chinatown and Chinese food in general. As we were hosting friends from out of town, he really added to the enjoyment of the day.

Steven

Oct. 15, 2022

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