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Food is never merely food, it is a distillation of culture and history, a communication satellite through which love is given and received. That was what I felt every time I walked into Kitchen Cô Út, tucked along 85 Chrystie Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown – a small room that somehow carried the scent of my mother’s kitchen all the way from Vietnam.
In October 2025, my husband Nick and I showed up to a beautiful community space in Manhattan's Chinatown with dice, character sheets, and a big dream. We were about to run our very first public tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) event. We had no track record, no past customers, and a concept that was genuinely hard to explain in one sentence.
What happened next set us on a path to making our dreams become reality. And in the process, helped us connect with other founders who are realizing their big dreams, too.
From coming to America for a fresh start to becoming the general manager of three Korean restaurants in the heart of Chinatown, Kelly's journey is a true testament to the power of passion and community. We got to sit down with her to hear the inside scoop: the story of a Korean immigrant who found her footing, her purpose, and her people.
Listening is not a passive act. Doing so with sincerity requires a commitment to using all of your senses. And this is a truth reflected in the journey of Emily Grace Acupuncture.
For Emily Siy, DACM, L.Ac., owner of Emily Grace Acupuncture, the path to becoming an acupuncturist is one rooted in being present, in listening to the lessons provided within the realities presented by daily observations. These observations, for Emily, proved that observing the day-to-day has a profound reach.
Meet Foon Lam, owner of Hung Lee, a market that has been part of Manhattan’s Chinatown since 2005. Known for its fresh produce and Asian greens, the shop has become a go-to spot for both locals and restaurant owners.
Wo Hop’s ground floor is open and ready to welcome you. It’s the same beloved dishes and spirit you know, now with more room to gather and enjoy.
Meet Ching Chiang, owner of Sun Wind NYC in Chinatown! Her crystal storytelling shop offers healing stones, personal readings, and guidance to help visitors discover what they’re truly drawn to.
Meet Kaiser, the owner of Flowers Cafe located at 39 Essex Street! Delicious halal cuisine including their well-known brunches and sandwiches, is served at this charming and welcoming German-Muslim cafe.
Modern Coffee House is a cozy Chinese bakery and café opened by Sandy in 2023 on East Broadway. Known for its freshly baked pastries, specialty teas, and thoughtful service, the shop brings a warm, welcoming touch to Chinatown mornings.
The inspiring story behind how Bánh by Lauren started- will not only have your heart flutter, but also your mouth water with all the delicious traditional Vietnamese treats they have to offer.
Senti Senti is a skincare and beauty shop that’s been serving the Chinatown community for 16 years, run by sister duo Sandy and Winnie. Known for their carefully curated selection and walk-up storefront, they’ve recently expanded to a second location in Williamsburg!
Chinatown Legacy Tours brings the neighborhood’s rich history to life through real stories told by those who lived it. What started as a passion project has grown into a meaningful way to preserve and share the untold stories of Chinatown.
Luna Bakery serves classic Chinese pastries and drinks in a warm, community-rooted space. Since opening in 2024, it has honored the history of its Bowery location while quickly becoming a neighborhood favorite with its comforting egg tarts, dim sum bites, and nostalgic beverages.
Spicy Moon serves bold vegan Szechuan cuisine in a lively, welcoming setting. Since 2019, it has redefined plant-based dining with its creative dishes, friendly hospitality, and energetic ambiance.
Chang Lai Fishballs Noodles brings authentic Cantonese street food from an iconic cart to a beloved Bayard Street storefront. With over 30 years of tradition, they continue serving their famous fishballs and noodles with warmth, hospitality, and Leo’s signature smile!
Since 1967, Mee Sum Cafe has been a go-to staple in Manhattan Chinatown. Located on 26 Pell Street, this small business has been serving traditional family style Chinese food and creating community for more than 5 decades.
We’re excited to spotlight New Kam Man! New Kam Man’s roots date back to the 1970s when it was established by a group of Hong Kong immigrants as the first self-service Chinese supermarket in the area. It now has a breadth of offerings including hot food, packaged goods, beauty products, home goods, and more.
Meet Sen Saigon, a new restaurant that opened in February 2024! Owners An Nguyen Hawks and Erik Dornbush Hawks intially started Sen Saigon when they hosted a tasting menu event in February 2023 with a group of friends. Since then, the two have thrown themselves into launching the restaurant full time to the NYC community!
Catching up with Longevity Fund recipient, Jason Liu of Soft Swerve (and check out pics of their new location)!
We’re excited to spotlight Lily’s Vegan Pantry! Lily’s Vegan Pantry is a family-owned business that was established in 1995, and is actually the first vegan grocery store in Chinatown. Lily Ng currently owns and runs the store, which was opened by her parents when they came to the United States from Taiwan 40 years ago.
We’re excited to spotlight Artbean Coffee Roasters! The shop was started by husband-and-wife-duo Spencer Okada and Khanh Tran in July 2020. They wanted to marry their love of art and coffee together. Step into their shop and you can taste the coffee they roast themselves, and purchase art from local artists.
We’re excited to spotlight Pinklady Cheese Tart! Owner Jean Lim’s inspiration behind her dessert shop arose when she visited Japan and Malaysia and saw how popular cheese tart desserts were. However, these delightful treats weren’t readily available in NYC. Jean got to work learning the craft by watching YouTube videos by a Japanese chef.
Owner Clement Yu started Stanley’s Claw Machines in Chinatown after he and his family visited Asia and saw the arcade stores that delighted his wife and son. The business has a storefront at 60 Mulberry Street where you can play the arcade games to win curated prizes.
We’re excited to spotlight Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles, a beloved Chinatown noodle shop that serves northern-style Chinese dishes including noodles, soups, and dumplings. Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles was started by Liu Li Di when he moved to the United States in 2007.
Meet Ashley and Jeff of The ABC Digest, which is celebrating the world’s flavors, from A to Z! Ashley and Jeff created The ABC Digest book collection to get kids (and grownups!) excited about celebrating the world’s cultures and foods.
Island Spa & Sauna is a 30,000 sq. ft. modernized Korean day spa with amenities ranging from saunas & hot baths, as well as services catered to fulfill all your self-care needs. The team at Island Spa & Sauna has generously donated to Welcome to Chinatown, helping support our programming for our beloved Chinatown businesses.
Celebrating inspiring Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: Amazing! Book party with Maia and Alex Shibutani
Meet Ben and Thomas of Dae Tea! Dae, a lifestyle tea brand, (better known as Hwa Gung Tea 華 剛 茶 業 in Taiwan), traces its roots back to 1918 when the family business first laid its foundation in Taiwan and opened their modest tea shop a few years later in 1923.
From a basement on Mott Street to a beloved Chinatown institution, Fong On's story is one of roots, reinvention, and the quiet power of knowing where you come from. We sat down with Paul Eng, the third-generation owner of New York City's oldest tofu shop, to hear how a 90-year-old legacy got a second life (and why the best is still yet to come).