Chinatown Shopping Guide
An authentic guide to the bustling markets, traditional shops, and hidden gems of NYC’s most vibrant neighborhood.
Chinatown is one of New York City’s most dynamic and immersive neighborhoods, a bustling enclave of culture, history, and commerce.
Shopping here is a sensory adventure, a departure from traditional retail into a world of vibrant street markets, legacy businesses, and unique specialty stores. The experience is less about polished flagships and more about the thrill of discovery, from exotic foods and rare teas to traditional crafts and unexpected bargains.
The neighborhood’s main arteries, like Canal and Mott Streets, are packed with energy, offering everything from fresh produce and herbal remedies to quirky souvenirs and home goods.
A stroll through Chinatown is a journey through generations of history, where family-owned shops have served the community for decades, offering a genuine slice of life and a shopping experience unlike any other in the city.
This guide, a special curation by AZ New York, is your essential map to navigating the authentic and exciting retail landscape of Chinatown.
You might be interested in shopping in these nearby locations
| Location | Vibe | Distance (from Columbus Park) |
|---|---|---|
| SoHo Shopping Guide | Trendy & Flagship-Heavy | ~0.5 miles |
| Nolita Shopping Guide | Charming & Independent | ~0.3 miles |
| Lower East Side Shopping Guide | Edgy & Vintage | ~0.4 miles |
| Financial District Shopping Guide | Luxury Malls & Corporate | ~0.7 miles |
| TriBeCa Shopping Guide | Quiet Luxury & Design | ~0.8 miles |
4 Tips for Shopping in Chinatown
- Bring Cash: While many larger stores now accept cards, many smaller vendors, street stalls, and food markets are still cash-only. Having cash is also useful for bargaining.
- Explore the Side Streets: Don’t just stick to the chaos of Canal Street. The real gems—like traditional tea houses and porcelain shops—are often found on quieter streets like Mott, Pell, and Doyers.
- Go Beyond Souvenirs: Look past the “I ♥ NY” t-shirts. Chinatown is a paradise for foodies and home cooks, offering specialty markets with high-quality, authentic ingredients, teas, and housewares you won’t find anywhere else.
- Visit a Market Early: For the best selection of fresh produce, seafood, and baked goods, visit the neighborhood’s bustling food markets in the morning when the locals do their shopping.
Keep an Eye On: The New Wave of Chinatown Creatives.
While Chinatown is deeply rooted in tradition, a new generation of Asian American entrepreneurs is redefining the neighborhood’s retail landscape.
Boutiques like Chop Suey Club and concept markets like Canal Street Market are blending traditional elements with contemporary design, art, and fashion.
These spaces are creating a “New Chinatown” aesthetic that honors heritage while pushing creative boundaries.
They exist alongside the legacy businesses, creating a dynamic contrast between the old and the new that makes shopping here more exciting than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Canal Street known for?
Canal Street is famously known for its bustling, bazaar-like atmosphere with numerous street vendors and small shops selling a vast array of goods, including electronics, souvenirs, and, notoriously, counterfeit luxury bags and watches. It’s a high-energy, bargain-hunting experience.
Is Chinatown good for food shopping?
It is one of the best neighborhoods in NYC for food shopping. You can find dozens of specialty markets selling fresh and affordable produce, live seafood, traditional herbs, imported sauces, and freshly made noodles and dumplings.
Are stores in Chinatown open on Sundays?
Yes, Chinatown is a very active neighborhood on weekends. Most shops and restaurants are open on Sundays, making it a popular time for both locals and visitors to shop and dine.
Ranking: 10 Best Shops & Markets in Chinatown
Below, check out the ranking of the 10 must-visit destinations in the neighborhood, in a special curation by AZ New York.
1. Pearl River Mart
An iconic Asian emporium and a beloved NYC institution. What started as a “friendship store” in 1971 has grown into a multi-level department store offering everything from traditional ceramics and furniture to modern fashion, snacks, and unique gifts from across Asia and the Asian diaspora.
Address: 452 Broadway, New York, NY 10013 (technically in SoHo, but the heart and soul of Chinatown retail)
Phone: (800) 878-2446
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: pearlriver.com
Neighborhood: Chinatown/SoHo Border
Highlight: A one-stop-shop for all things Asian, from classic to contemporary.
2. Wing on Wo & Co.
The oldest operating store in Chinatown. This fifth-generation family-owned shop is a treasure trove of beautiful Chinese ceramics and porcelain, from traditional tea sets to modern decorative pieces. It’s also a community hub that hosts artist talks and cultural events.
Address: 26 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 962-3577
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: wingonwoand.co
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Highlight: A piece of living history and a beautiful collection of porcelain.
3. Canal Street Market
A modern, curated market that bridges the gap between old and new Chinatown. This bright and airy space features a food hall with popular Asian food vendors on one side, and a retail market with independent designers, artists, and craftsmen on the other.
Address: 265 Canal St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (646) 649-6012
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: canalstreet.market
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Highlight: A clean, modern hub for both delicious food and unique, artisanal goods.
4. Grand Tea & Imports
A multi-generational, family-run tea shop offering a fantastic selection of high-quality, small-batch teas sourced directly from Asia. The knowledgeable staff can guide you through their extensive collection of oolongs, pu-erhs, and green teas, as well as beautiful teaware.
Address: 298 Grand St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 334-8890
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: grandteaimports.com
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Highlight: An authentic, high-quality tea-buying experience.
5. K. K. Discount Store
A beloved neighborhood institution, this is the quintessential, jam-packed Asian housewares store. You can find an incredible variety of kitchen gadgets, ceramics, woks, bamboo steamers, and quirky home decor at bargain prices. It’s a fun and chaotic treasure hunt.
Address: 78 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 513-7043
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: Not available.
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Highlight: The place to find any and every Asian kitchen tool imaginable.
6. Po Wing Hong Food Market
One of Chinatown’s largest and most comprehensive food markets. This is a go-to spot for traditional Chinese herbs, dried seafood, medicinal soups, and a huge variety of packaged goods, sauces, and snacks imported from across Asia.
Address: 49 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 966-1080
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: powingonline.com
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Highlight: An incredible selection of traditional dried goods and herbal remedies.
7. Nom Wah Tea Parlor
While primarily a restaurant, Nom Wah is a historic institution that is essential to the Chinatown experience. As the oldest dim sum parlor in NYC (opened in 1920), a meal here is a step back in time. It’s the perfect place to refuel during a long day of shopping.
Address: 13 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 962-6047
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: nomwah.com
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Highlight: Experiencing vintage dim sum in a historic, legendary setting.
8. Chop Suey Club
A contemporary design store that showcases the work of modern Chinese artists and designers. Chop Suey Club offers a curated collection of unique apparel, accessories, home goods, and art that challenges and reinterprets traditional Chinese aesthetics.
Address: 81 Hester St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: (646) 478-7448
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: chopsueyclub.com
Neighborhood: Chinatown/Lower East Side Border
Highlight: A fresh, modern, and artistic take on Chinese design.
9. Deluxe Food Market
A bustling, old-school food court and market that runs a full block between Mott and Elizabeth Streets. On one side, you’ll find fresh meat and seafood counters, and on the other, a row of vendors selling delicious and cheap roast duck, char siu, and other prepared foods.
Address: 79 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 925-5766
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: Not available.
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Highlight: The go-to spot for incredible, authentic Cantonese barbecue to-go.
10. Ten Ren Tea and Ginseng Co.
One of the largest and most well-known tea retailers in the neighborhood. This Taiwanese chain offers a massive selection of teas, from everyday jasmine to high-end oolongs, as well as ginseng and other herbal products. They often have tea tastings available.
Address: 75 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 349-2286
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: tenren.com
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Highlight: A vast, reliable selection of teas and ginseng for all budgets.
All research and the final selection of the shops in this guide were carried out by the team at AZ New York.
Explore Our Guides to New York City
Neighborhood Shopping Guides
- SoHo Shopping Guide
- West Village Shopping Guide
- Williamsburg Shopping Guide
- Nolita Shopping Guide
- Fifth Avenue Shopping Guide
For a look at the largest hub of Japanese culture in another major city, you can also explore the shops in the Liberdade neighborhood of São Paulo.
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