Explore Boston

Great Finds in Boston's Chinatown

With its handsome entrance, Boston's Chinatown welcomes you to a world of delightful food and drinks, and spots that have made it to the big screen.
The Entrance to Boston's Chinatown.
(©Jay Yuan/Shutterstock.com)
Mike Hodgkinson
April 3, 2020

SEE

Every great Chinatown needs a fine “paifang” (traditional gate) and the handsome Boston portal is a favorite destination for selfie seekers. In the 2016 “Ghostbusters” reboot, Boston not only doubled for New York but Kaze Shabu Shabu restaurant also disguised itself as Zhu’s Authentic Hong Kong Food—movie buffs will get a kick out of the location.

BLR (Best Little Restaurant) offers locally sourced wonders like Maine Lobster Wontons and Chen’s Famous Veggie Mapo Tofu | WhereTraveler
Statues in BLR (©Andrea Merrill)

EAT

BLR (Best Little Restaurant) offers locally sourced wonders like Maine Lobster Wontons and Chen’s Famous Veggie Mapo Tofu. Nearby Ruckus takes the house-made noodle to a new fast-casual level and Montien Thai Restaurant has loads of animal-free flavor.

Shojo has the best selection of Japanese booze anywhere in Boston
Hamachi Poke at Shojo (©Danh Nguyen and Andrew Kubica)

DRINK

Shojo has the best selection of Japanese booze anywhere in Boston. Fans of both the bean and the grape will love Jaho Coffee Roaster & Wine Bar, while the bar at hot pot joint The Q is a great place to meet and snack before exploring further with friends.

PLAY

If you fancy a late-night sing-song, book a karaoke room—or even the mic on the main stage—at Limelight. When day breaks, urban ramblers should start their exploration of the Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston’s gorgeous downtown stroll-space, at Chin Park near the Chinatown gate.