A Day in Chinatown with 88rising
Welcome to the latest installment of our “A Day in Chinatown with…” series, where our fellow New Yorkers (or NYC fanatics) share their favorite Chinatown spots with us. Today, we’re spotlighting the 88rising team!
In 2023, 88rising expands their marquee Head In The Clouds Music & Arts Festival, for the first time, to their birthplace of New York. Head In The Clouds will bring its 2-day festival to the historic Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York on May 20 & 21. This year will also mark the 100th (centennial) anniversary celebration of the illustrious Forest Hills venue.
Silk Road Cafe (30 Mott)
Soothing and laid-back tea house where neighbors can chat and organize events ranging from Chinese language classes to tabletop tournaments. They’ve kept the same staff for decades and have developed deep bonds with the surrounding community.
Albert Lam Bespoke (80 Bowery)
Through word of mouth alone, Albert Lam Bespoke has become an iconic Chinatown tailor helping customers from all walks of life look their finest. They are a husband and wife duo of master craftspeople who have suited countless New Yorkers.
Ewa Trading Company (80 Mulberry)
They carry everything you could possibly need for Chinese herbal remedies and medicine, and the staff members are extremely helpful and eager to provide their expert advice on whatever might ail you. Definitely a Chinatown gem.
Mee Sum Cafe (26 Pell)
An old-school Chinese cafe that has been around since the 1970s serving some delicious favorites like roast pork rice rolls and beef stew over rice. Owner Donald Moy, who took the restaurant over from his own father in 2005, embodies an inspirational immigrant story that belies the shop’s humble appearance.
Yu and Me Books (44 Mulberry)
The first female Asian-American bookstore in NYC, Yu & Me has a great selection of immigrant literature and is always hosting incredible events and paying it forward. They’ve built a great reputation in the local creative scene and show a lot of care in their programming.
Magnolia Jewelry (162 Canal)
A team with incredible expertise and hospitality that is setting the bar high for jewelers across New York. They treat their customers like family and have a slew of glowing reviews.
Kopitiam (151 East Broadway)
Baba-Nyonya Malaysian, small mom & family-run cafe where the majority of the team are elderly single Asian women and college students, oftentimes the sole breadwinners for their families and hired from within the neighborhood. A true labor of love.
Dahing Plants (289 Grand St)
With a great selection of beautiful and healthy yet affordable plants, Dahing Plants is a local favorite when it comes to nurseries.
Po Wing Hong (49 Elizabeth)
One of the oldest grocery stores in Chinatown, Po Wing Hong stays true to their values of quality, honesty, and product knowledge. Always worth a quick stop by!
Wing on Wo (26 Mott)
Consistently offering some of the finest homeware in New York, Wing on Wo is an impressive multi-generational effort as well as home to the WOW Project, a great community initiative working to protect the future of Manhattan Chinatown.
12 Pell (12C Pell)
Really stylish salon run by a savvy group of hair experts. They are part of the next generation in Chinatown, born and raised in the area and now replanting their roots in the neighborhood they come from.
Explore the rest of 88rising’s Chinatown favorites and recommendations in our Meet Chinatown Digital Directory!
All Head in the Clouds festival passes are on sale now!
Explore the festival and artists at ny.hitcfestival.com
