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Exploring Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood

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You can’t miss the Chinatown arch at the Beach Street entrance. | Photo by BOStoday team

If you haven’t been to Chinatown, you are missing out.

Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood is the only historic Chinatown in New England and is one of the largest in the US. The area first became populated in the early 1890s and today has a dense population of 7,974.

🚋 How to get there

The neighborhood is nestled in between the Leather District, Theater District, and Downtown Crossing. The Orange Line has a stop (Chinatown) right in the heart of the area + the Boylston stop and the South Station stop are nearby.

📸 What to see

You can’t miss the Chinatown Gate at the Beach Street entrance to the neighborhood. The iconic backdrop is a paifang archway, or a traditional Chinese gateway. It was designed by David Judelson and donated by the government of Taiwan in 1982.

🍽️ What to eat

Ramen

City Editor Jess stopped by Ruckus for a bowl of Tori Miso Ramen and the modern vibes. Pro tip: don’t skip the smashed cukes or the handmade pork and cabbage peking ravioli.

Dumplings

You can find any type of potstickers, soup dumplings, Gyoza, or Mandu options at Gourmet Dumpling House, Dumpling Cafe, and Dumpling King. Need we say more?

Sushi

Grab a roll or two from Tora + Fuji at Ink Block. City Editor Sara’s favorite sushi joint is Avana Sushi. Pro tip: Skip dine-in service and opt for takeout.

Pho

Pho Pasteur is a family-owned business that opened in 1991 and has been dishing authentic Vietnamese cuisine ever since. Try an order of pho, which is a traditional Vietnamese soup dish made of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat.

Bubble waffles

Sometimes referred to as egg puffs or egg waffles, the sweet treat is very Instagramable. Get a freshly cooked waffle filled with various flavors from the Egg Puff Lady + Sweet Waffle and Boba.

Honorable mentions for the coffee roll + green tea cake from the Corner Cafe Bakery, and the drink menu at The Q with a variety of Q-tinis. Plus, Peach Farm comes highly recommended by local chef David Daniels.

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