A Local's Guide to Chinatown in Los Angeles

Forget it, Jake. This is Chinatown.

Few neighborhoods in Los Angeles are as iconic as Chinatown, featured in films such as Rush Hour (1998), Freaky Friday (2003), Starsky & Hutch (2004), and Roman Polanski’s Chinatown (1974).

Located just northeast of downtown L.A., Chinatown is a lively area filled with restaurants, shops, bars, and countless activities. However, Chinatown wasn’t always in its current spot—what we now know as Chinatown was originally referred to as New Chinatown. The original Chinatown emerged in the mid-1800s near Olvera Street but was eventually displaced as the neighborhood turned into a warehouse district and residents were pushed out for Union Station in the early 1900s. By the late 1930s, the Los Angeles Chinatown Project Association helped lay the groundwork for the vibrant Chinatown we see today.

Today, this historic neighborhood houses around 20,000 residents and offers a wealth of experiences. Discover the top spots to eat, explore, and enjoy in Los Angeles’s Chinatown.

Things to Experience in L.A.’s Chinatown

Join the “Undiscovered Chinatown” Walking Tour

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The Undiscovered Chinatown Tour, hosted by the Chinatown Business Improvement District, occurs on the first Saturday of each month. This 2.5-hour walking tour, priced at $20 per person, invites guests to discover hidden gems in the area, including antique shops, herbal stores, art galleries, and a temple. For those unable to join the monthly tour, the CBID offers self-guided walking tour resources on its website, covering a two-mile route that takes about two to three hours to complete.

Explore the Chinese American Museum

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The Chinese American Museum (CAM), established in 2003, is located in the oldest surviving building from L.A.’s original Chinatown. CAM focuses on preserving the legacy of Chinese immigrants in L.A. and the broader history of Chinese Americans. Current exhibits include the journey of boba drinks from the cassava plant in South America to bubble tea's Taiwanese heritage, Origins: The Birth and Rise of Chinese American Communities in Los Angeles, showcasing the evolution of the local Chinese American community, and a recreation of the historic Sun Wing Wo General Store and Herb Shop, which was previously in the Garnier Building. Admission starts at just $3 for adults.

Savor a Tea Cocktail at Steep L.A.

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Steep L.A. is a contemporary teahouse situated in Mandarin Plaza, Chinatown. Here, tea lovers can explore a diverse array of cold and freshly brewed teas, including black, green, oolong, jasmine, and pu’er, all meticulously sourced from China and Taiwan by founders Samuel Wang and Lydia Lin. For those seeking a more adventurous tea experience, Steep features a “secret” menu available after 4 p.m., offering innovative tea-infused cocktails and small bites like scallop tartare and mapo tofu rice. Whiskey aficionados can enjoy an old-fashioned made with black tea whiskey, perfect for a unique twist.

Top Dining Spots in L.A.’s Chinatown

Howlin’ Rays

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It might seem unusual to seek out Nashville-style hot fried chicken in Chinatown, but Howlin’ Rays has become a culinary sensation. This small eatery ignited a citywide craze for Nashville hot chicken, leading to long lines at Howlin’ Rays and inspiring numerous copycat spots across L.A. Diners can enjoy succulent chicken covered in a crispy, spicy batter, with options like the classic hot chicken sandwich, quarter and half birds, wings, and tenders. Be sure to add some crinkle-cut fries and collard greens to your order, and don't skip the banana pudding for dessert. Note that Howlin’ Rays currently offers only pickup and local delivery, having shifted from table service due to the pandemic.

Pearl River Deli

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This cozy and casual spot is one of the trendiest dining destinations in Chinatown. Managed by owner and chef Johnny Lee, Pearl River Deli is a tribute to Cantonese comfort food, featuring southern Chinese favorites like char siu, wonton soup, and curry fried rice. The menu often changes at Pearl River Deli (notably known for its occasional special, Hainanese chicken rice), so make sure to check its Instagram for the latest updates.

Long’s Family Pastry

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When it comes to satisfying cravings for Chinese pastries and dim sum, Long’s Family Pastry is a top choice. Offering delights such as Zongzi (glutinous rice with savory fillings wrapped in bamboo leaves), egg tarts, cheung fun (a rolled rice noodle dish), baked char siu buns, pork shumai, and shrimp har gow, Long’s does it all at reasonable prices. Although it’s not a sit-down restaurant, you can order dim sum favorites deli-style, making it easy to grab some pork buns while exploring the vibrant streets of L.A.’s Chinatown.

Phoenix Bakery

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Founded in 1938, Phoenix Bakery has been a cherished establishment for four generations. The bakery was originally created by F.C. Chan as a gathering spot for L.A.’s Chinese community, providing baked goods that were hard to find at American bakeries. It quickly gained fame for its crunchy almond cookies and fresh strawberry whipped cream cake. Today, Phoenix Bakery is regarded as an L.A. institution, still celebrated for its cookies and cakes. An interesting tidbit: the bakery's iconic logo—a boy with a traditional Chinese haircut holding a bakery box—was crafted by Disney illustrator Tyrus Wong, who played a significant role in shaping the aesthetic of Bambi (1942).

Shopping in L.A.’s Chinatown

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Just a few doors down from Howlin’ Rays lies Los Angeles’s exclusive cookbook store, Now Serving. Established in 2017 by Michelle Mungcal and her husband Ken Concepcion—who spent two decades as a chef, including at Wolfgang Puck’s Michelin-starred restaurant Cut—the shop boasts over 1,500 titles at any given time. In addition to cookbooks, it offers chef’s tools and accessories like knives, quirky ceramics, and tasting spoons. As Mungcal shared in a 2018 interview with Bon Appétit, they aim for a bookshop atmosphere reminiscent of an ’80s/’90s record shop, a place where chefs and home cooks alike can feel welcome.

Chunky Gifts

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Located within the historic Golden Pagoda building, Chunky Gifts is the perfect stop in Chinatown for charming and whimsical gifts designed by Asian American artists. Previously home to the famous restaurant Hop Louie, Chunky Gifts features a collection of items including mugs, T-shirts, teas, stickers, and prints of beloved foods like pineapple buns, boba, and noodles. It also offers red envelopes inspired by pop culture hits like Super Nintendo Bros. and Everything Everywhere All At Once, along with a wide range of organic teas and spicy chile oils for those who enjoy a kick.

K.G. Louie Co.

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A true Chinatown original, K.G. Louie has been a beloved fixture in the community since its establishment in 1938. Celebrating its 85th anniversary later in 2023, the store has remained within the Louie family for three generations. At K.G. Louie, visitors can explore a variety of traditional Chinese gifts and cookbooks, along with vintage tea sets and silverware. As noted in a 2008 article from the L.A. Times, the current proprietors continue this legacy not for profit, but to honor their parents, who were among the pioneering tenants of Chinatown’s Central Plaza.

Where to stay in and around L.A.’s Chinatown

Hotel Figueroa

At Hotel Figueroa, guests can enjoy a blend of Spanish contemporary style with Moroccan touches. Established in 1926, this hotel was originally a women-only establishment run by the YWCA and is believed to be one of the first large hotels in the U.S. designed specifically for women. It opened its doors to men in 1928, quickly becoming a favored venue for artists, celebrities, and musicians in Los Angeles. Today, it remains a popular gathering spot for creative individuals. The hotel features 268 rooms and is just a 10-minute drive from Chinatown.

Biltmore Los Angeles

Built in 1923, the Biltmore is a stunning Beaux-Arts-style hotel located just a 10-minute walk from the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Museum of Contemporary Art, with Chinatown only a 10-minute drive away. The Biltmore's interior is adorned with frescoes, murals, oak-paneled walls, grand chandeliers, and intricately carved marble fountains, providing a luxurious atmosphere where guests can dine at three distinct restaurants. When it first opened, the Biltmore was the largest hotel west of the Mississippi, boasting 1,500 rooms, though it now offers 683.

Conrad Los Angeles

The Conrad Los Angeles opened its doors in 2022 to much excitement, featuring the innovative design of renowned architect Frank Gehry. Standing 28 stories tall, it offers 305 luxurious rooms along with four distinct dining and bar experiences, including the rooftop restaurant Agua Viva, crafted by Michelin-starred chef José Andrés. The Conrad is conveniently located just a five-minute drive from Chinatown.