I keep running into my friend Stella in Chinatown even though we both live here in Newton so I am calling upon her expertise to help me with this guide to Chinatown in Boston. It’s a little mystifying to find the best of the best in Chinatown. We usually agree, but when we don’t, I’m going to list both options.

My kids are of a different mind. They think I am being a “Bruce Lee” by spilling Asian secrets and thereby making their favorite haunts even more crowded than they already are. There is plenty for everyone!

What makes you hesitate to go to Chinatown? Is it the bad drivers? Is the lack of parking? Is it because you don’t speak Mandarin? The drivers are terrible; this is true. We park at a lot on Tyler Street. It’s impossible to get meter parking but we manage once or twice a year to score a spot. And not everyone in Chinatown speaks Mandarin; there are hundreds of Chinese dialects so not everyone who lives there can understand each other. Your English will be fine!

Hope you venture into Chinatown. There are a lot of delicacies waiting for you there!

Best Dim Sum

China Pearl Restaurant

9 Tyler St
Boston, MA 02111

Everyone I know agrees that this is the best Dim Sum in Boston. It still doesn’t compare to Dim Sum in Hong Kong, or in Chinatowns in Los Angeles or San Francisco though so don’t get your hopes up too high. Still, their Har Gao is as good as any in the world.

Go before 11am on the weekend or expect to wait in line.

 

Best Soup Dumplings

Gourmet Dumpling House

52 Beach St

Boston, MA 02111

There’s usually a line out the door for dumplings so your best bet is to call ahead and pick up. Or do what we do. We order the soup dumplings when we are seated for Dim Sum (but before we start eating), then we pick them up on our way out for an afternoon snack.

Best Asian “Starbucks”

Tea Do

8 Tyler St

Boston, MA 02111

Stella turned us on to this contemporary tea house and my kids like their smoothies and bubble tea. Their Japanese snacks are great too! This is a popular hangout for teens in the area and stocked with board games so you can hang out while sipping your drink! This is a de rigeur stop for us when we come to Chinatown for Dim Sum!

Best Cantonese Seafood

We have a split decision. I have been going to Peach Farm for more than 10 years and therefore haven’t tried anything new since finding it. Stella likes Jade Garden and she’s Cantonese!

Peach Farm

4 Tyler St

Boston, MA 02111

Try the Salt and Pepper Squid. We order it half squid and half beef with bone. I like their ginger and scallion lobster too. Even our kids will eat the shrimp — that’s live from the tank (with the heads on), then steamed and served with sauce. Our kids like the sauce that isn’t spicy.

Jade Garden

20 Tyler St

Boston, MA 02111

Best Chinese Cake Bakery

101 Bakery

56 Beach St

Boston, MA 02111

My kids like their sponge cakes; a piece with just a thin layer of frosting in between.

Best Chinese Pastry Bakery

Hing Shing Pastry

67 Beach St

Boston, MA 02111

They make Moon Cakes when it’s that time of year but no one I know actually likes Moon Cakes as they are very dense and sweet. They are made of sweetened bean puree. Instead, try the sponge cake in the paper cones. I also like their beef curry pies, apple turnovers and their version of Pigs in the Blanket. They have Chinese specialities too like pork buns (baked not steamed), and sticky rice wrapped in leaves.

Best Roasted Meat Shop

Hong Kong Eatery

79 Harrison Avenue

Boston, MA 02111

The restaurant is always busy but I’ve never eaten there. Instead, I stand in line to order their roasted meats. My favorite is the soy sauce chicken but the salt chicken is equally popular. They have roast duck and roast pork — both Char Shui (BBQ) and suckling pig style.

Best Vietnamese Sandwich Shop

163 Vietnamese Sandwich

66 Harrison Ave

Boston, MA 02111

Even if you are full, get a sandwich to go. You won’t regret it!

What are your favorite eats in Chinatown? Please share in the comments below!