Grace Young, an award-winning activist, presents her insights on Manhattan's Chinatown.

While New York City boasts nine Chinatowns across its boroughs, the most renowned is undoubtedly Manhattan’s, established in the mid-1800s. It features the largest population of ethnically Chinese individuals outside of Chinese-speaking regions, with around 55,000 residents of Asian descent.

Few are as familiar with Manhattan’s Chinatown as acclaimed cookbook author Grace Young, who released her debut recipe collection, The Wisdom of the Chinese Kitchen, in 1999. After relocating from San Francisco to New York City in 1979, she quickly fell in love with the vibrancy of Chinatown. “Chinatown embodies the essence of New York for me,” Young shared. “It’s a place where I can momentarily escape to another world and savor my favorite comfort foods.”

Amid the pandemic's peak, as local businesses faced shutdowns and dwindling foot traffic, Young captured Chinatown’s struggle with economic challenges through her video series Coronavirus: Chinatown Stories, created in partnership with videographer Dan Ahn and Poster House Museum. Her dedication to preserving the neighborhood earned her the James Beard Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2022, along with the Chinese American Museum DC Gold Lantern Award and recognition as one of EatingWell’s American Food Heroes.

In her work, featured in Bonnie Tsui’s article “What Chinatown Means to America—and Me,” Young has forged meaningful connections with various businesses in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Here are some of her top recommendations for places to visit:

Ting’s Gift Shop

Address: 18 Doyers St.
Operating Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Founded in 1958 by matriarch Tam Ting, Ting’s Gift Shop is a charming, traditional souvenir shop offering vintage Asian collectibles, proudly managed by two generations of Ting women. Inside, shoppers can discover a variety of treasures, including beautiful porcelain items, mahjong sets, hand-painted snuff bottles, colorful paper dragons, Japanese dolls, and more.

Hop Lee

Address: 16 Mott St.
Operating Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Hop Lee, a historic eatery in Chinatown, is celebrated for its classic Cantonese cuisine. Don’t miss their renowned Stir-Fried Lobster with Scallion and Ginger, Peking Pork Chops (crispy fried pork accompanied by a sweet and savory sauce), and Stir-Fried Clams with Black Bean Sauce. For festive occasions, Young suggests indulging in a whole Peking Duck.

KK Discount Store

Address: 78 Mulberry St.
Status: Temporarily closed

For over 30 years, KK Discount has earned its reputation as “Chinatown’s Mom and Pop Target store.” It’s the go-to spot for locals seeking woks, traditional Chinese tableware, rice cookers, and everyday household goods. Unfortunately, a fire in April led to the closure of their physical store for several months. However, they reopened in October 2022, and customers are still invited to explore their online store.

Mee Sum Cafe

Address: 26 Pell St.
Operating Hours: 5:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

The term mee sum means “beautiful heart” in Cantonese, perfectly encapsulating the charm of this cherished café that has been delighting customers with classic Cantonese dishes since 1968. Among Young’s top picks at Mee Sum Cafe are the Stir-Fried Flowering Cauliflower with Chinese Bacon, steamed shrimp rice rolls (cheung fun), refreshing ginger lemon tea, and indulgent homemade glutinous rice balls (tangyuan) filled with ground roasted peanuts or black sesame seeds, sweetened for dessert. Mee Sum is also well-known for its boiled zongzi, a Cantonese delicacy made of glutinous rice and savory fillings, all wrapped in bamboo leaves and prepared fresh each day.

47 Division Street Trading Inc.

Address: 47 Division St.
Operating Hours: Monday–Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Established in 1995 by the Li family, 47 Division Street Trading Inc. holds the title of Chinatown’s oldest butcher shop. Known for offering quality meats at reasonable prices, it has been a staple in the community since its inception. However, the pandemic forced the shop to close temporarily, and it has faced challenges in regaining its previous success.