Somehow doing a Dim Sum tour around Chinatown dressed head to toe in Aimé Leon Dore became trendy.
Posting your pork bao buns and half-eaten soup dumplings from Nom Wah Tea Parlor became artsy.
We’re not talking about ourselves last weekend, we swear.
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But it’s time to get to the basics.
We connected with William Li, co-founder of the Hao Life, a globally-recognized line of Chinese herbal blends that address modern life’s most common health complaints, in both natural and effective ways.
William, once referred to by legendary food writer and editor Ruth Reichl as “the personification of hip elegance”, is an example of passion meeting perseverance.
In a long career marked by firsts, William became the first-and-only Asian American publisher at Condé Nast.
After an illustrious 15-year tenure looking over some of the publisher’s most prestigious titles, he took on an equally enterprising role as Global Brand President at Ralph Lauren Home.
Now as a co-host of Emmy nominated Lucky Chow, a public television series exploring unique pockets of Asian American culture, William has had the unparalleled opportunity to celebrate the rich history of his heritage through the lens of food.
See Also: The 13 Best Dumplings in NYC, According to Food Lover's Diary
Born and raised in Chinatown as a first-generation Chinese American, William knows a thing or two about where to eat the best dim sum, purchase authentic Chinese porcelain, and shop for fresh herbs and spices.
And we’re not referring to the up-and-coming places that people only visit to appear “worldly” on social media.
We’re talking about authentic Chinatown establishments that are rooted in history, culture, and tradition.
This historic neighborhood continues to be a leading destination for some of the best dining and shopping in NYC but can be overwhelming if you don’t have the inside scoop.
Take advice from the local himself, and plan a trip to Chinatown’s must-visit hidden gems.
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5 E Broadway, Manhattan/Website
If you love dim sum, you should really go go here. It’s my absolute favorite dim sum spot in all of Manhattan. No need to deal with the carts—you can order the best, made-to-order dumplings, rice rolls, and buns as you wish. There are options for everybody: meat lovers, vegetarians, you name it!
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21 Mott St, Manhattan/Website
A Chinatown institution since 1968. Hop Kee is my go-to for classic Cantonese cooking. It’s no-frills, incredibly authentic, and beyond delicious. Must-haves include Lobster Cantonese, Peking Pork Chops, Razor Clams with Black Bean Sauce, Sauteed Snow Pea Leaves, and the Young Chow Fried Rice. These are mandatory, not polite suggestions!
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48 Bowery, Manhattan/Website
Satisfy all your sweet tooth cravings at Bake Culture. This Taiwanese bakery offers the most incredible egg tarts, pineapple buns, and sponge cake. Surprisingly, they also have a large selection of European-style pastries and cakes. I wouldn’t necessarily think to order this in Chinatown, but totally worth going out of my comfort zone.
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58 Mulberry St, Manhattan
A favorite since childhood, this is the Chinese jerky spot every local won’t shut up about. If you’re a heat lover, you must get the spicy beef and pork varieties. This joint is a total hole-in-the-wall, and that's what makes it the best spot town.
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28 Bowery, Manhattan/Website
You can find Chinatown’s best roast meats, wonton noodle soup, and salt & pepper squid at this classic spot. It’s no wonder it’s a light night favorite for chefs all over the city. Great NY Noodletown isn’t just great, it’s truly incredible.
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26 Mott St, Manhattan/Website
The oldest shop in Chinatown, Wing On Wo has an incredible selection of Chinese ceramics, including work from contemporary Chinese craftsmen. This storied shop is a great place for buying gifts or refreshing your tabletop collection. Bringing quality porcelain since 1925, this Chinese goods store must be doing something right.
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200 Canal St, Manhattan
My absolute favorite supermarket in Chinatown. From fresh produce to pantry staples, this Lower Manhattan staple has everything you need for stocking your Asian larder. Disclaimer: you may get lost in here for hours.
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104 Mosco St, Manhattan/Website
The second you walk into Bangkok Center Grocery, you immediately feel like you’re in a land far far away. If you're looking for ingredients that lean more Southeast Asian, this market is the place. The store has everything from fresh chiles and green papayas to an extensive selection of curries, sauces, and spices.
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73 Mott St, Manhattan/Website
A temple to tea, Ten Ren has every imaginable variety of tea. It’s like the Costco of tea, with much better quality and cultural significance, of course. Ten Ren is the true mecca of black tea and chewy tapioca pearls.
Photography by: Courtesy Autumn PR and Unsplash
