Philly’s food scene never fails to amaze! But with so many delicious options, deciding what to eat can be overwhelming! Where do you go when your tummy starts to rumble? We’re in the mood for Chinese, how about you? If you ever find yourself in Philly’s Chinatown, here’s a list of five great places you should definitely check out.
1. Dim Sum Garden
Where: 1020 Race Street
Contact Information: (215)-627-0218 or dimsumgardenphilly.com
Recommendation: Dim sum is a traditional Chinese brunch. The food is typically prepared in small, bite-sized portions and served in steamer baskets or small plates. My go-to dish here is the crab flavored soup dumplings. Some of my other favorites are Shanghai shao mai, shrimp dumplings, and shredded turnip cakes. If you have never had dim sum, this is a great place to start!
2. Terakawa
Where: 204 N. 9th Street
Contact Information: (267)-687-1355 or terakawaramenphilly.com
Recommendation: If you’re looking to upgrade from your usual Saturday night microwaveable cup of noodles, Terakawa serves the best ramen in the city with rich tonkatsu-style broth and tender charshu pork. Don’t forget to try the spicy miso tan tan with ground pork and a side of chicken katsu with curry! Sometimes you need to eat something that doesn’t come in a Styrofoam cup!
3. Pho Xe Lua
Where: 907 Race Street
Contact Information: 215-627-8883
Recommendation: This spot is one of my favorite places to get pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup. If you’re looking to expand your culinary palette and experience new cultures on a college student budget, this is a restaurant that won’t break the bank! The pho here is super affordable—you can get a well-prepared meal for as low as $5.50. I always get the Xe Lua style egg noodle, shrimp, pork with broth on the side. Can you say delicious?!
4. Tea Dó
Where: 132 N. 10th Street
Contact Information: 215-925-8889 or tea-do.com
Recommendation: This is not only an amazing place to get drinks, but it is also a popular place to hangout at night—talk about a double whammy! The good vibes in this place make it ideal for a casual date or a day with the girls. Tea Dó has a wide selection of bubble tea and smoothies. I usually go with the green tea milk tea with tapioca pearls. If you have never heard of bubble tea, you should definitely try it at Tea Dó!
5. Mayflower Bakery
Where: 1008 Race Street
Contact Information: 215-629-5668
Recommendation: If the wontons aren’t holding you over and you still have a craving for something sweet, check out Mayflower Bakery! Chinese desserts are way more yummy and complex than the fortune cookies we know and love. If you’ve never had an egg tart or an almond bun, it’s time to change that. This is my favorite place to get Chinese pastries—they have everything from coconut-custard tarts to almond cookies. Mayflower Bakery satisfies my snack cravings every time.
There you have it! Whether you are craving a traditional Chinese dinner or just a little after-dinner pastry, these are some go-to places in the Chinatown neighborhood of Philly. Did we miss one of your favorite places to eat in Chinatown? Share them with us on Twitter and Facebook!