If you’re looking for a Philadelphia neighborhood with a wealth of places to eat and drink packed into just a few blocks, Chinatown may very well be your spot.
Philly food influencer, blogger, and Chinatown enthusiast Dave Wez (a.k.a. @feedingtimetv) sat down with City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri to offer some starting points for exploring the neighborhood’s bustling restaurant and bar scene. Here are some of his recommendations ⬇️
☀️ Have Brunch at Ocean Harbor
Dave describes this place as basically a “giant room filled with Asian aunties” who push around carts with congee, dumplings, fried foods, and more, and you pick which ones you want from the carts. The experience is “never ending” in that the carts never stop coming around — though you do have to pay for each item individually.
1023 Race St.
🦆 Down Some Duck at Sang Kee Peking Duck House
This is the “OG spot” for duck-based dishes, Dave says. You can order the poultry on a lotus leaf bun or a moo shu pancake.
238 N. 9th St.
🥟 Eat Dumplings at Dim Sum Garden
You can find a wide selection of dumplings here — Dave loves the soup dumplings in particular. The restaurant is also a good choice if you’re a dumpling novice, since the menu has beginner-friendly pictures.
1020 Race St.
🔥 Get Your Spice Fix at EMei Restaurant
Come here for Sichuan flavors and dishes with a high spice level, like stir-fried chicken livers and gizzards with pickled pepper sauce, and dry-fried spicy lamb with cumin.
915 Arch St.
🍜 Slurp Up Soup at Terakawa Ramen
Come here for the best ramen in the whole city, at least according to Dave. He likes the tan tan ramen — a miso and chicken broth soup topped with minced pork — but “you can’t go wrong” with any dish there.
204 N. 9th St.
🌊 Enjoy Some Seafood at Ken’s Seafood Restaurant
This late-night eatery has tanks at the front of the restaurant with live sea creatures, so you might see someone catch what will become your meal, right in front of your eyes.
1004 Race St.
🥃 Drink (and Sing!) at Yakitori Boy
Enjoy some beer, sake, and sushi here — and go upstairs for some karaoke! You can rent a private room with your friends or show off your musical talent (or lack thereof) to a fuller crowd.
211 N. 11th St.
😋 When it comes to dining in Chinatown, this handful of restaurants only scratches the surface! Tune into the City Cast Philly podcast for an in-depth discussion of the neighborhood’s culinary offerings, including 11 more restaurants, bars, and sweet shops you should try.
This article was originally published in March 2024. It was updated in August 2024.
