Chinatown
Isenberg Projects Neighborhood GuideBoston’s Chinatown is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the US, and is a New England oasis for Asian culture, food, and community. We’re lucky to call Chinatown the home of our office, offering us frequent opportunities to interact with the arts organizations, restaurants and shops that define this neighborhood. Chinatown is one of Boston’s densest neighborhood concentrations of restaurants, shops, and homes. As rapidly rising housing costs and land values threaten longtime residents, the Chinatown community has gathered to form organizations, programming, and advocacy groups to protect the character of the neighborhood. Here’s our favorite things to eat, do, and see in Chinatown, and some organizations whose work Isenberg Projects find inspirational.
Eat
The Isenberg Projects office is on Kingston Street, just on the edge of Chinatown, so our team has become well-acquainted with the lunch spots, bakeries, and dim sum restaurants that Chinatown is known for.
Credit: Dudley Cafe
Hei La Moon
Hei La Moon is a dim sum destination in Boston, now expanded after moving into a new, bi-level space. Hei La Moon keeps the classics coming all week long, but Isenberg Projects recommends a weekend trip to take advantage of dim sum cart service, so fun and so delicious.
83 Essex St
Credit: Eater Boston
163 Vietnamese
?⚡️IP’s Hidden Gem: Max’s pick for a quick lunch in Chinatown, 163 is a tiny storefront (max occupancy: 1) serving up lightning fast and seriously delicious bahn mi options. This one is cash only, but thankfully you won’t need more than a ten for lunch.
66 Harrison Ave
Credit: UberEats
Winsor Dim Sum
Winsor’s Dim Sum menu is equally comprehensive and delicious, so you’ll want to order a spread. The egg yolk buns are somehow nourishing and glamorous and one of the coolest textures to experience full stop.
10 Tyler St
Credit: Taiwan Cafe
Taiwan Cafe
Taiwan Cafe is a cozy intimate space serving unique and bold dishes, like braised Chilean sea bass, pork liver, fried intestine, and cordyceps flower chicken soup. Taiwan Cafe is the place to try something new and know it’s going to be delicious.
34 Oxford St
Credit: TripAdvisor
Phở Pasteur
Phở Pasteur is a classic spot for Vietnamese soups and noodle dishes. Go all in on the giant pile of bean sprouts, lime, and basil that’s served with all soup dishes.
682 Washington St
Visit
Chinatown is a small neighborhood, but has a dense concentration of places to see, visit, and learn. Here’s a few neighborhood hotspots:
Credit: Lantern Stories, 2022 Yu-Wen Wu
Auntie Kay & Uncle Frank Chin Park
A serene oasis in a bustling area, this park (situated along the Rose Kennedy Greenway) is an escape, filled with the sights and sounds of flowing water, birds, and pollinators. Also home to a variety of public art installations, this section of the Greenway is well-stewarded by Chinatown neighbors.
John F Fitzgerald Surface Rd & Beach St
Credit: Sampan Newspaper
Blue Triangle Gallery
Blue Triangle’s gallery shows are open to all, whether artist, collector, art lover, or explorer. Keep an eye on their Instagram to see upcoming shows, featured artists, and news about the gallery! Currently on its fourth show since opening, Blue Triangle also supports the Chinatown neighborhood through murals and community programs!
17 Edinboro St
Credit: Boston Public Library
BPL Chinatown Branch
After a major grassroots campaign to bring a Boston Public Library branch back to Chinatown, this temporary branch library was established in 2018. However, the community did not stop advocating for expanded library access – plans for a permanent location at 48 Hudson St are underway and will begin construction soon!
2 Boylston St
Credit: Wong Guys
VIVA Karaoke x Studios
One of the latest additions to Boston’s karaoke scene, and a new venture from hospitality veterans Wong Guys, VIVA Karaoke x Studios is an immersive and otherworldly karaoke experience.
204 Tremont St
Credit: YMCA
Wang Family YMCA
One of Chinatown’s hubs for recreation and youth programming, the Wang Family YMCA hosts free swim lessons, food access programs, community health resources, and adult education and training courses.
8 Oak St W
Feature: Public Art We Love!
Two public art installations are currently on display in Chinatown along the Greenway from multidisciplinary artists Zhidong Zhang and Ponnapa Prakkamakul. Isenberg Projects recommends bringing lunch to the park on a sunny day and taking some time to appreciate each of these installations.
Far Away, From Home, 2024 by Zhidong Zhang
Year of the Dragon, 2024 by Ponnapa Prakkamakul
Do
Chinatown is a neighborhood with no shortage of events and festivals. Lunar New Year anchors public programming, but there are plenty of smaller celebrations throughout the year.
Credit: Melanie Fu/Pao Arts Center
Lunar New Year Celebration
At Pao Arts Center’s Lunar New Year, expect interactive cultural activities for all ages, like Chinese red envelope folding, Korean calligraphy, and Korean dasik cookie stamping on clay. They also host a Lion Dance class and workshop for youth.
99 Albany St
Credit: Sampan Newspaper
Lion Dance Parade
Part of the wider Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown, Isenberg Projects loves the energy of the Lion Dance Parade. The 2025 parade will take place on Sunday February 9. It is a collaborative effort between several dance and performance groups, so plan to stick around and see them all!
Philips Sq
Credit: Asian Community Development Corporation
Films at the Gate Festival
Here at Isenberg Projects, we love outdoor movies, and we think Films at the Gate is especially fun! This lively festival program proudly highlights the stories and work of Asian immigrant and Asian American filmmakers and artists.
John F Fitzgerald Surface Rd & Beach St
Credit: Melanie Fu/Pao Arts Center
August Moon Festival
The August Moon Festival is a full day festival of joy and health to celebrate and appreciate the harvest and good crops. Expect stage performances of Asian folk dance, lion dance, Chinese opera, along with food and gifts galore. Stay tuned for the announcement of summer 2025’s festival dates!
99 Albany St
Credit: Pao Arts Center
Experience Chinatown
This fall festival from Pao Arts Center brings together murals, performances, and free creative activities, celebrating the rich cultural fabric of Boston Chinatown. Six weeks of mural painting from local artists takes place in September and October, with a one day performance festival in early October that is a must-attend event.
99 Albany
Organizations
We’re highlighting a few organizations doing important work in Chinatown to build community strength, foster arts and culture, and protect quality of life for all residents.
Credit: Pao Arts Center
Pao Arts Center
Since 2017, our friends at Pao Arts Center have organized public exhibitions, installations, and programming in Chinatown, and are responsible for some of the neighborhoods most beloved art and events. Keep an eye on their calendar for the latest.
99 Albany St
Credit: BCNC
Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center
Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center empowers the Asian community and new immigrants by providing a broad range of innovative and family-centered programs and services to more than 13,000 children, youth, and adults every year.
38 Ash St
Credit: IBI Group
Boston Chinatown Main Street
Chinatown Main Street’s mission is to beautify, promote, and strengthen the community, keeping the streets clean, safe, and friendly. They also host various food programs and events with entertainment, made possible with volunteers and fundraisers, creating a rich Chinatown experience for everyone.
Credit: CPA
Chinese Progressive Association
Chinatown’s CPA organizes community programs for Boston’s Chinese community, focusing on youth + community education, environmental justice, and political empowerment.
28 Ash St
Credit: The Chinatown Project
The Chinatown Project
With an aim to document the stories of Chinatown and its businesses and residents, The Chinatown Project collaborates with artists, storytellers, and Boston’s Asian community to produce creative projects and events. Check out their interview with The Scope to learn more!
90 Tyler St
Credit: IBI Group
Asian Community Development Corporation
Since 1987, the Asian Community Development Corporation has created vibrant, inclusive communities by building affordable housing and preserving spaces where everyone is welcome to live, work and play.
38 Oak St
Feature: Chinatown Cultural Grassroots Planning
In response to the MAPC’s 2020 Chinatown Master Plan, the Asian Community Development Corporation began working on a supplementary Chinatown Cultural Plan, a community-driven cultural planning effort, along with Chinatown Community Land Trust, Pao Arts Center, and Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy. Since 2020, the group has conducted extensive community engagement sessions to gather insights from residents, business owners, and stakeholders in Chinatown. They have also launched a call for artists to document the stories of Chinatown residents and businesses, which has culminated in the Humans of Chinatown project.
Explore Other Neighborhood Guides
After years of producing experiences, living, and digging deep in the city of Boston, we like to think that we know our way around. The Isenberg Projects Neighborhood Guides series is here to help you discover your next favorite place to eat, play and everything in between.
Dorchester
Released December 2024
Jamaica Plain
Released October 2024
Roxbury
Released May 2024