This is a local’s guide to 25 of the best Chinatown restaurants in Boston in 2024! Growing up Asian-American in Boston, I’ve spent a LOT of time eating and exploring Chinatown. The neighborhood may not be as big as other cities but still has a rich history, vibrant culture, and great food.
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Last Updated: January 11th, 2024
This guide includes:
- Sit-Down Restaurants
- Snacks & Takeout
- Desserts
- Where to Drink
- Things to Do
Sit-Down Chinatown Restaurants in Boston
1) Great Taste Bakery
First on the best Chinatown restaurants in Boston list is Great Taste Bakery. If you love Dim Sum, this Hong Kong-style restaurant is a staple. Instead of ordering the dim sum off of carts, you tick off what you want on a sheet of paper. I recommend the cheung fun (rice noodle rolls) with Chinese fried dough.
Other popular Dim Sum items include char siu bao (BBQ pork buns), har gao (shrimp dumplings), and siu mai (pork meatball dumplings). An alternative Dim Sum restaurant is Winsor Dim Sum.
2) Taiwan Cafe
Gourmet Dumpling House had been my favorite dumpling spot for years. It sadly shut down in early 2022, but Taiwan Cafe is a great alternative! They sell a variety of authentic Chinese & Taiwanese dishes. The soup dumplings are filled with pork & steaming soup wrapped in thick flour skin. Other must-tries are the Szechuan wontons in chili oil and beef scallion pancake rolls.
3) SuSu Gourmet
Located on the outskirts of Chinatown, this hidden gem sells traditional Cantonese food. They specialize in Taishan rice noodles rolls (my favorite in the city) and clay pot rice.
The freshly made noodle rolls have a silky texture and can be filled with meat, eggs, veggies, etc. It is then topped with soy sauce that gets absorbed by the noodle rolls.
4) Claypot Cafe
Clay Pot Cafe is another restaurant that specializes in Cantonese clay pot. Clay pot is a hot clay bowl filled with rice and your choice of meat/filling. The most traditional meats here is the Chinese sausage with chicken and minced beef with egg.
Once you get to the bottom of your meal, the rice is crispy. The crunchy rice is often people’s favorite part of the meal.
Clay Pot Cafe has been around for decades and is one of the most authentic Chinese restaurants in Boston‘s Chinatown.
5) Happy Lamb Hot Pot
Another great dish to try in Chinatown is hotpot/shabu-shabu! Happy Lamb Hotpot is my favorite because of its mouth-numbing Szechuan spice broth and high-quality meats. If you don’t feel like sharing your soup, Shabu-Zen has hot pot combos for one.
Lastly, if you’re looking for an AYCE option, try Hot Pot Buffet. Although the meat quality isn’t as good as the others, it’s only around $30 for unlimited hotpot!
6) Tora Restaurant
Tora is a popular Japanese restaurant that specializes in kaisen don, or seafood + rice bowls. The plating for each bowl is beautiful! They also sell sushi and Gyu-don (beef over rice).
7) Tora Ramen
A block away from Tora you can find its sister restaurant Tora Ramen. Popular items are the Spicy Miso Ramen with pork, Black garlic ramen, and the Kuro Karaage (chicken karaage in a squid ink batter). It’s one of the most popular Chinatown restaurants in Boston, so expect to wait in line on weekends! Read my best Japanese restaurants Boston guide for amazing Japanese options!
8) Peach Farm or Jade Garden
These two restaurants are perfect for large groups (10 people and more) and late-night meals. Entrees are served family-style in the middle of the table. My go-to’s here are classic Chinese dishes like string bean beef and chow fun.
On weekends, they are open until 4 AM and are often packed.
9) Hong Kong Eatery
If you’re looking for Cantonese & Hong Kong specialties, Hong Kong Eatery is THE go-to for locals on this best Chinatown restaurants in Boston list. Must-try BBQ meats include BBQ Pork and Roasted Duck over rice. Wonton noodle soup is also popular. If you’re not as adventurous when it comes to food, I’d recommend the beef chow fun (beef and noodles).
10) Nan Xiang Express
Having opened in 2023, Nan Xiang Express is one of the newest spots on this Best Chinatown restaurants in Boston list. The fast-casual Shanghainese shop specializes in soup dumplings, dim sum, and noodles. It’s the sister restaurant of Michelin-rated Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao in New York City! My favorite dish here is their pork and vegetable wontons with spicy peanut sauce. It’s creamy, flavorful, and has a subtle kick.
Best Chinatown Restaurants in Boston: Snacks & Takeout
11) Ho Yuen
Ho Yuen is the best spot for fresh Chinese pastries. It’s only around $1.00-4.00 USD per pastry, making it a budget-friendly option. A popular item is the pineapple bun, which interestingly isn’t actually made from pineapple. The sugar on top gives a cracked look, similar to pineapple skin.
Other popular bun fillings are beef curry, roast pork, coconut, and hot dog. If you’re not in the mood for baos/buns, check out their egg custard tarts, sponge cakes, and sesame balls!
12) Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Cafe
This is one of the few shops in this best Chinatown restaurants in Boston list that specialize in Chinese hand-pulled noodles. The restaurant is located on the outskirts of Chinatown towards Downtown Crossing, making it easy to miss. I like the spicy cumin hand-pulled noodles here. The noodles have a chewy texture and the cumin isn’t overpowering. They also sell Lanzhou beef noodle soup.
13) Food Court on 42 Beach Street
Inside the 42 Beach Street Plaza you can get 10 steaming pan-fried pork dumplings for only ~$7 at Dumpling King. Right across from DK is the stall Avana Sushi. Their weekday lunch specials are a steal at ~$12 for a sushi roll, 2 sides, and miso soup. Or, you can get a roll for only $6.
For dessert, grab an egg puff from the famous Egg Puff cart (it’s cash only!) This stall has been around for decades and specializes in one item– Hong Kong-style egg waffle puffs. The waffle is slightly sweet and chewy. It’s an affordable, quick dessert at only ~$3.50 per waffle.
14) Banh Mi Huong Que
This is a small cash-only take-out spot for Vietnamese sub sandwiches. They are only around $7 per sub and you can choose from a variety of fillings. I always get the bbq beef.
Desserts
15) Teado or Tiger Sugar
I can’t talk about Chinatown desserts without mentioning boba! Teado has been my go-to spot for years (In high school I went almost daily…). Options include milk tea, fruity drinks, and smoothies. I recommend their Grasshopper (green apple flavored green tea) or Tropical Twister (mango, pineapple, passionfruit with lychee jelly).
Tiger Sugar is famous for its brown sugar boba milk, which makes a tiger-striped design. Other popular boba shops include Royaltea and Gong Cha.
16) Sweet Waffles & Boba
Established in 2019, this new addition to Chinatown has quickly become a neighborhood favorite. Sweet Waffles and Boba specializes in Belgian waffle pops that come in interesting flavors like Strawberry Shortcake, S’mores, and Cookie Monster. The waffles are served warm. Their toppings aren’t too overpowering and sweet either! You can pair your waffle with one of their boba or lemonades.
17) Mochinut
This popular mochi donut chain is another new addition to Boston’s Chinatown. The donuts are made with rice flour, giving them a chewy and airy texture. Their pon de ring style makes it easy to bite off and share, too. There are around 20 flavors to try.
18) Bao Bao Bakery
Bao Bao Bakery is known for its cute and delicious layered crepe cakes. I like the brown sugar boba crepe cake and rainbow crepe cake here.
Alternatively, try the cream puffs. I like the vanilla flavor, but matcha and ube are good as well.
19) Corner Cafe
Last, the Corner Cafe is my favorite spot to get dan tat, or egg custard tarts. Try the Portuguese egg tart, which is an egg tart with a caramelized top. (kind of similar to creme brulee)
Check out my TikTok featuring this Corner Cafe!
Best Chinatown Restaurants in Boston: Where to Drink
20) Shojo
Shojo is a fun restaurant & bar that specializes in modern twists on classic Hong Kong and Chinese dishes. In addition to their inventive menu, I love the Instagrammable interior! The inside has colorful graffiti walls and there is always loud hip-hop music playing. Some of my favorite dishes here are the “Shojonator” burger on a bao bun and “Shadowless” fries topped with mapo tofu. For drinks, I like the Tea Garden cocktail. Find out more on Shojo in this Youtube video.
9A Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111 / Visit Website
21) Double Chin
Double Chin is another Asian fusion spot with unique dishes and drinks. Popular plates include their Spam & Taro fries, “Poutine Your Mouth” fries with kimcheese and furikake, and their giant cube french toast for dessert.
Unique drink offerings include “Adult Capri-Suns”, Boozy Boba, an “Under the Sea” drink in a fishbowl, and a “Soju Roulette”. A lot of the drinks are meant to be shared, making it a great pregame and postgame spot. It’s also one of the only Chinatown restaurants in Boston open until 4AM. You can get more details from the Youtube video above!
Read my Boston fun restaurants 2024 guide for more unique restaurants.
22) Crave Mad for Chicken
Last of the drink portion on this best Chinatown restaurants in Boston guide is Crave Mad for Chicken. The restaurant/lounge specializes in Korean fried chicken, which comes in a variety of flavors like soy garlic, spicy, buffalo, etc. Their menu also has other typical Korean dishes and sushi. For large groups looking to drink, they have giant fish bowls with soju cocktails!
75 Kneeland St, Boston, MA 02111 / Visit Website
Further Reading: 25 Fun Things to Do in Boston for Young Adults
Honorable mentions: Chinatown Restaurants in Boston
- Pho Pasteur – Casual spot for pho. I always get the Pho Tai (pho with eye round beef) or Beef Vermicelli Bowl (Grilled Beef with Vermicelli noodles).
- Penang – Decent Malaysian food. The only dish that stands out to me is the roti canai. It’s a flatbread you dip in curry sauce.
- Moon & Flower House – Fried chicken sandwiches and fries! The sandwiches are juicy and well-seasoned. It’s pretty good, but I think it’s a bit overpriced since each sandwich is nearly $7.
- Cha Fung Kong – This boba/fried chicken shop is very easy to miss since it’s located on the outskirts of Chinatown. Cha Fung Kong sells your typical bubble teas (at less than $5!), fruit teas, & smoothies. They also sell fried chicken sandwiches and Taiwanese popcorn chicken. I recommend the cumin popcorn chicken. It’s juicy and well-seasoned.
- My Thai Vegan Cafe – Hidden on the second floor of Pho Pasteur, this is one of the only vegan/vegetarian Chinatown restaurants in Boston.
- Mei Sum – Neighborhood bakery with banh mi, buns, cakes, etc. It’s also one of the only places to get fan tuan. It’s a ~$2 sticky rice roll that is a great Boston breakfast option!
Other Things to Do in Boston’s Chinatown
Once you’re done eating through the best Chinatown restaurants in Boston, you can explore the neighborhood in other ways:
- The Chinatown Gate – The Dragon Gate has been around since 1970 and is the defining feature of the neighborhood. It’s the perfect place for your Instagram shots!
- The Rose Kennedy Park – Located next to the gate, this park is always busy with the elderly playing card games and children on the playground. There are currently lanterns lining the park that are especially beautiful at night.
- Get a haircut, Massage, or Facial– Chinatown is a great neighborhood to get a new haircut or massage without paying a fortune. I recommend Sasa Skincare & Spa.
- Acupuncture -This Chinese practice involves the physician placing pins across your body to solve health issues. Not going to lie, I was pretty nervous when I tried it. However, the pin feels like a mere pinch. It was fascinating that I couldn’t feel the pin, but I don’t think it made much of a difference to my health. If you’re afraid of pins/needles, you could do accupressure instead.
- Go Shopping at Tao’s Beauty Shop – This is the perfect spot to get Asian cosmetics, cute gifts, hair products, etc.
- KTV for Karaoke – This is one of the few karaoke bars in the city and a great way to spend a night out.
- Cultural events like August Moon festival and “Taiwan Night Market”. Check their calendars to see when to visit!
- Grocery shop at an Asian Market – Lastly, this is a great place to pick up Asian brand groceries and household items.
Further Reading: 39 Best Free Things to do in Boston Right Now
General Tips for the Best Chinatown Restaurants in Boston
- Bring Cash! Many small businesses don’t accept card.
- Dining is typically cheaper at Chinatown restaurants in Boston compared to other neighborhoods. A meal can cost between $5-20 depending on where you go and how hungry you are.
- I recommend visiting in the fall/winter to avoid crowds and lines. On the other hand, visiting during the summer allows you to experience seasonal festivities. The August Moon Festival has been held every mid-August for over 50 years and has lion dancing, Chinese music, arts & crafts, etc.
Conclusion: Best Chinatown Restaurants in Boston
Hope you enjoyed my ultimate guide to the best Chinatown restaurants in Boston, things to do, and other tips! New restaurants and dessert shops are constantly popping up, so I will regularly be updating this post.
After reading my best Chinatown restaurants in Boston guide, check out other Asian food articles & things to do:
- Best 15 Japanese Restaurants in Boston
- Best 11 Korean Restaurants in Boston
- Best 11 Thai Restaurants in Boston
- Best 23+ Boston Summer Activities
- Boston’s Best Southern Food
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