Chinatown

Minutes away but continents apart.

Just a few miles from McCormick Place and downtown Chicago, a popular tourist destination dishes up the look, languages and tantalizing aromas of picture book China.

But this tiny enclave is a real neighborhood, Chinese in ethnicity as well as in name, alive with pedestrian traffic, restaurants, and countless diners to whom "going Chinese" means a trip to Chinatown. Put your car in a parking lot (validated parking at most restaurants) and step into a fascinating world.  

The narrow sidewalks are bustling with local residents, sightseers and shoppers, and lined with restaurants, gift shops and specialty stores. Take in the sights – colorful shops selling everything from trinkets to antiques, herbs to artworks. Take in the tastes – tempting restaurants of every size and every Asian cuisine.

Just behind the landmark Chinatown Gate is Chinatown's busiest street, Wentworth Avenue. Specialty herbal stores have a large presence here, including Aji Ichiban, Chang Ying Hong, Inc, Sun Sun Tong, Ten Ren Tea & Ginseng Co. Just a block away, you'll find Nam Bac Hang, Bark Lee Tong, and Yin Wall City Inc.,where you'll discover Chinese herbs, medicine, teas, and candies.

Need groceries? Try something new! There are lots of food stores here, some with tanks of live fish, some with windows of hanging meats, so you can make (or learn to make) your favorite Chinese foods at home. Stop into any one of these local favorites: Leong Cheung, Chee's Keeley Market, Chicago Food Market, Chinatown Market, Oriental Food LLC, Tai Wah Grocery Store, and Richwell Market.

In Chinatown, shoppers can find gifts not available anyplace else locally. Gift stores such as Chinatown Bazaar, Giftland, Pacific Emporium, AJ's and Hoi Poloi line Wentworth Street. Look inside for novelty trinkets, Chinese clothing and accessories, Chinese art, and countless other items. One can spend hours here just browsing.  

For a more expensive immersion in Chinese culture, be sure to visit one of Chinatown's jewelry, art or furniture stores. Beautiful jade and gold jewelry are featured at Hong Dot Co. and Dor Fook Jewelry. Just down the block, Century Furniture, Pacific Furniture, and Artoriental.com are sources of fine art and furniture.  

The scene, the shopping, the food – you'll be back for more!

What you'll find here:

Accessories: Dor Fook Jewelry, Fashion House, Giftland

Clothing & Accessories: Fashion House, Giftland, Chinatown Bazaar

Fine Jewelry: Geneva Seal  

Grocery, Gourmet & Specialty Foods: Aji Ichiban, Chee's Keeley Market, Chicago Food Market, Chinatown Market, Chiu Quin Bakery, Leong Cheung, Oriental Food LLC, Richwell Market,Tai Wah Grocery Store

Health/Beauty: Senina's Beauty House, New Wave

Home Furnishings: Artoriental.com, Century Furniture, Chinatown Bazaar, Pacific Furniture,   

Shopping Centers: Chinatown Square  

Specialty Stores: AJ's, Chang Ying Hong, Inc, Hoi Poloi, Hong Dot Co., Nam Bac Hang, Pacific Emporium, Sun Sun Tong, Ten Ren Tea & Ginseng Co., Bark Lee Tong, Yin Wall City Inc.

 

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Neighborhood Association: www.chicagochinatown.org

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Nearby Shopping Destinations:  The Loop, South Loop/U of I Campus

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For more information, visit Chicago Traveler to see a Chinatown Neighborhood Guide.  

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SeeMore Shopping Contributing Writer - A. Chin.
 
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by SeeMoreShopping. Publ. 11/06.