Poster House Artist in Residence Christina Young: Make Memories in Chinatown

Poster House’s Artist in Residence program is presented in partnership with Welcome to Chinatown and supports an artist to develop a community-centered poster campaign serving the Chinatown neighborhood. Learn more about 2024 AIR Christina Young’s project Make Memories in Chinatown below. This program is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. Click here to view the full map. 

Explore New York City’s vibrant Chinatown with these community-curated itineraries and maps.

I surveyed the Chinatown community asking their favorite places to eat, shop, and hang out in the neighborhood. This map highlights over 100 locations, including restaurants, bakeries, cafes, salons, bookstores, gift shops, parks, arcades, and more. I encourage you to set out solo or grab some friends and make meaningful memories in Chinatown. Read through the end to participate in a collectible badge scavenger hunt!

For a productive Solo Day

Start your day with morning coffee at (1) Artbean Coffee Roasters on Doyers Street, where you can enjoy their rotating art gallery, featuring a new exhibition by a local artist every few months.

Then take a few steps over to (2) 22 Pell Hair Salon for a fresh haircut. (In Chinese culture, it is considered bad luck to cut or wash your hair during Lunar New Year, as it symbolizes washing away your good fortune. The best time to get a haircut is before the celebration.)

For lunch, visit (3) Bo Ky on Bayard Street and order any of their delicious noodle soups, such as beef, fish ball, or curry chicken. Bo Ky specializes in Teochew cuisine, a fusion of Cantonese, Fujianese, and Vietnamese influences. (This was the most recommended restaurant in the survey!)

Around the corner on Mulberry Street, you’ll find (4) Yu & Me Books, the first Asian woman-owned bookstore in Chinatown. Browse through a wide selection of works by Asian authors, then head downstairs to a cozy reading nook. In addition to books, the store offers an assortment of stickers, pins, greeting cards, hats, candles, and other items from local Asian small businesses. Have you heard of The Bao Bae? 😉

For a peaceful break, stop by (5) Alimama Tea for a refreshing drink and matcha mochi munchkins. You can also treat yourself to a new plant next door at (6) Manhattan Florist. With drink and snack in hand, cross the street to (7) Columbus Park, where you can relax on a bench and enjoy people-watching while listening to elderly neighbors singing old tunes and playing traditional Chinese instruments.

Before heading home, don’t forget to pick up that thing you really need at (8) K.K. Discount Store, get some fresh fruit from the (9) fruit stand on the corner of Mulberry Street and Canal Street, and stock up on all your Asian groceries for the week at (10) Hong Kong Supermarket.

Now that you have a full stomach, a bag of groceries, a book, some stickers, and a new plant, you can head home with the fond memory of your productive solo day in Chinatown. Next time, gather your friends or family for a group adventure!

For a group arcade adventure

Start off with breakfast at (1) Kong Sihk Tong, a cozy restaurant on Bayard Street with decor that transports you to Hong Kong. Their menu features dishes like Golden Lava French toast, macaroni soup, and curry fish balls. You can also get drinks like HK-style milk tea, Ovaltine, and ginger honey tea.

Less than a five-minute walk away are two claw machine arcades.

(2) Stanley’s Claw Machine is located on Mulberry Street and is unlike most arcades. They often feature exclusive prizes made by local small businesses, and an unlimited play for 5 tokens which is great for inexperienced players to practice their technique. No one leaves empty handed! It’s primarily self service but staff are available on the weekends.

(3) Anime Claw is located on Pell Street and features a colorful assortment of machines with anime character prizes. Staff are on site to help reposition plushies and the colorful lights and maximalist decor make for a great photo backdrop.

Once you’ve loaded up on prizes, you can take another super short walk down Mott Street to a hidden gem, (4) Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center. This long-standing arcade is known by visitors as “the best place in Manhattan for rhythm games” like DDR and Jubeat. There’s also skeeball, air hockey, and more fun games to try. Chinatown Fair is great for families and friends of all ages.

Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, head across the street and downstairs to (5) Wok Wok to enjoy Malaysian classics like roti, satay, and beef laksa. If you’re looking for just a sweet treat, you can go next door to (6) Pinklady Cheese Tart and try their “not too sweet” creamy cheese tarts in flavors like ube, lemon, and strawberry milkshake.

For an evening celebration

Celebrate a birthday, anniversary, new job, or just the end of a long work week with good food, good drinks, and good company.

For a unique Cantonese fusion experience, go to (1) Potluck Club on Chrystie Street. Their endive salad is a must-try, as are the oyster mushroom rice roll noodles and the crispy chicken.

After dinner, head a few doors down to (2) Jade & Clover, an innovative cocktail lounge blending Irish and Asian ingredients together. Tucked behind the herbal apothecary storefront is a sleek, modern interior, creating the perfect vibe. Sit at the cocktail counter for an intimate date experience or head to the back for a larger group gathering.

For a fun family trip

Pick up some fresh buns for breakfast at (1) Go Believe Bakery on Bowery. They have a huge menu of baked goods like egg tarts, pork buns, and sesame balls as well as frozen dumplings and drinks.

Enjoy your meal at (2) Sara D. Roosevelt Park, the largest park in Chinatown, located between Chrystie Street and Forsyth Street. This expansive park spans several blocks and offers activities for all ages, including multiple playgrounds, a handball court, a soccer field, a roller rink, a basketball court, and even a bird garden.

When you’re ready for a sit-down meal, go to (3) Uncle Lou on Mulberry Street to enjoy classic Cantonese dishes, family style. This restaurant has all your favorites like mayo walnut shrimp, crispy garlic chicken, and pan-fried noodles.

For dessert, walk down Bayard Street to (4) The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. They’ve been serving up homemade ice cream in Chinatown since 1978! They have a unique selection of Asian flavors including egg tart, pandan, and (my favorite) black sesame. If you’re celebrating a birthday or special event, CICF also makes ice cream cakes daily. (For a custom cake, be sure to call at least 24 hours in advance.)

Collect your Chinatown Explorers Badges

It’s time for you to create your own adventure with this fun scavenger hunt! The following 8 locations in Chinatown have been given a limited number of exclusive badges for you to collect from 1/20/25 to 2/24/25.*

To earn a badge, visit and support these businesses, and ask staff for a badge.

1. 1. Welcome to Chinatown Innovation Hub, 115 Bowery

1. 1. Spongies Cafe, 121 Baxter Street

1. 1. K.K. Discount Store, 78 Mulberry Street

1. 1. Stanley’s Claw Machine, 60 Mulberry Street **

1. 1. Yu & Me Books, 44 Mulberry Street

1. 1. Artbean Coffee Roasters, 19 Doyers Street

1. 1. Sen Saigon, 150 E Broadway

1. 1. Bánh by Lauren, 42 Market Street

_{* While supplies last
** Badges at (4) Stanley’s Claw Machine are located inside the claw machine.}