One could spend forever wandering Chinatown and not see all there is to see. Each building is fascinating, whether it’s the fabulous architecture, an exotic market, or a restaurant cafe. I have thousands of photos I’ve taken in Chinatown but want to focus here on the markets, both indoor and outdoor. Come walk with me!

Look with a child’s eye and you’ll feel the excitement of the magical dragon…

Panda Ma on lower Mott Street is a great stop for souvenirs that are a little better than the average. Some of their clothes are quite nice. And they’re very friendly!

Next door to Panda Ma is Wing On Wo & Co. at 26 Mott Street. Wing On Wo & Co. is the oldest shop in Chinatown, started in 1890 by Walter Eng. It’s got the antique store feel that I grew up in.

In 1925 Mr. Eng, with several others, bought 26 Mott St. from Irish owners. This marked the beginning of a budding Chinese community.

The store passed to his daughter, Nancy, and now her granddaughter is both running the store and becoming more engaged with community development projects. Its a real success story!
From https://www.wingonwoand.co/history.

Edited 07/08/2023 – Check out a short video about Wing On Wo (which I learned means Forever Peaceful and Safe) on CBS Mornings earlier this month:

A little farther up is the Red Apple Gift Shop, at 42B Mott Street. I have a pretty and sturdy fan from Red Apple that I keep in my backpack. Those train platforms are hot, even in the winter!

Yunhong Chopsticks is based in Beijing and sells around 200 different styles of chopsticks, from everyday throwaways to exquisite works of art.

A closer look at the intricate work on the fan for sale at Yunhong Chopsticks, 50 Mott St., Chinatown.

Ting’s Co. is a small shop on the corner of Pell Street and Doyers Street I’ve never seen it open but always have to pause and gaze at the vintage items in the window. You just know it’s one of those shops filled with unique treasures waiting to be discovered.

Turning left onto Bayard Street I always have to stop at Manhattan Florist. It’s a very busy place – in fact, I don’t know how I managed to get this shot! They’re constantly unloading new seasonal stock.

Beautiful works of art at Lai Hing Jewelry, 85 Mott St. I’m just drawn in by the colors and textures.

Mulberry at Canal Street is the home to fruit and vegetable vendors that have these wild spray painted vans. They have a huge selection and do a great business. Cherries are in season right now and every weekend I buy 3 lbs. for $5. I have to get them while I can!

Being right on the corner of Canal Street it creates a bit of a traffic jam, but it’s so busy that nobody usually notices me taking pictures.

I appreciate how they prepare and package the produce right there on the street.

Look at the pineapples lined up on the window ledges of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China!

Peanuts, anyone?

Chinatown is known for its vast variety of seafood. You often see visitors stopping in their tracks to look at the fish, eels, mussels, crustaceans, and so much more.

I’m often a bit hesitant to take a photo in Chinatown, even though I know it would be a good one. More than any other place in NYC, the residents are camera shy. I try to respect that. Often I’ll put my camera away and use my cell phone, which is much less obvious.

You’ll find the most beautiful eyeglasses in Chinatown. There are quite a few shops, and they have the most fabulous designer frames. The anchor store is Chinatown Optical at the corner of 40 Mott Street at Pell. I’m crazy for these twisted frames.

I had a friend who grew up in the city, and she told me her mother always took her down to Chinatown to get their eyeglasses.

Here’s looking at you!

My youngest and I spend a good deal of time wandering grocery stores in Chinatown, he’s always in search of some new cooking ingredient, beverage or sweet treat. There are many excellent bakeries – we’ve hit most of them – I could do a post just on the bakeries alone. Perhaps I will.

Canal Street has a number of jewelry stores. I’ve read that many of them only accept cash. This photo is at Minh Tam Jewelry, 170-172 Canal St., Chinatown.

The jewelry stores down here have a more mellow feeling than in midtown, i.e. the Diamond District. This is at DF Diamond Inc, 160 Canal St., Chinatown.

On Canal Street, this vendor is always here, and the prices are reasonable.

I want it all. New Kam Man Supermarket, 200 Canal Street, Chinatown

Bridal elegance…

…and not so elegant, but pretty practical! Over the years I’ve found myself needing a hat on a colder than expected day.

I love the warm tones of the stones. K&E Fine Jewelry, 144 Hester St., Chinatown

As I get further up Mott Street the street widens a bit and you can really appreciate the view of all the shoppers and produce. I always think of Saturday as market day. I know it is for me – I always go home with a backpack stuffed with fruit, snow peas and bean sprouts!

The opposite side of the street from the above photo of Mott Street.

Some green goodness at Mott Street Trading.

Folks always get wide-eyed at the side of ducks in the windows of the meat markets. You can feel the heat as you walk by.

Grand Street is actually my favorite street to walk as far as vendors go. It used to be considered part of Little Italy, but Chinatown has really grown to cover much of it.
What’s better than being able to buy a houseplant right on the street? The plant vendors are always on Grand St., sometimes on Hester St. You can find orchids, bonsai, and some Chinese money plant, which I occasionally toss into my fish tank. It does all right in there.

Foxy strawberries for sale on Grand St., Chinatown. July 2022

When I look back at this photo I wish I had bought the fan.

There are so many other great shops in Chinatown, filled with art, stoneware, a million beautiful things… but I don’t want to keep you here all day. OK, maybe I do, but I’ll see you soon with another interesting place to wander in my wonderful NYC!

Sources:
https://www.wingonwoand.co/history
https://nymag.com/listings/stores/yunhong-chopsticks/index.html

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