Less than one square mile and home to 20,000 residents, Los Angeles’ Chinatown is packed full of history, art, amazing food, and a variety of shops. Keep an eye out, too, for the many plazas, fountains, murals, and architectural landmarks.
The center of Chinatown is Central Plaza, where you’ll find red and yellow lanterns strung from pagoda-style roofs. While the main section of Chinatown is bordered by Yale and Main Streets and sits just north of Union Station, the full neighborhood runs all the way from the Los Angeles River to Dodger Stadium.
With so many things to do and so many places to eat packed into a small neighborhood, walking Chinatown’s streets (while making plenty of stops) is a quintessential Los Angeles cultural experience.
History of Chinatown in Los Angeles
The Chinese-American community has a long history in Los Angeles and throughout California, dating back to the Gold Rush. As immigrants settled in communities up and down the West Coast, they built their own rich neighborhoods with stores and food that offer a fusion of traditional Chinese cultures and Californian vibes. Today, California’s Asian population is the largest in the U.S.
L.A.’s first Chinatown was actually located where Union Station sits now. The Chinese community first settled there in the mid-1800s and built a number of stores, restaurants, apartment buildings, and temples. But in the 1930s, following years of anti-immigrant sentiment and a Supreme Court decision, the original Chinatown Los Angeles was torn down to build the famous train station. After years of community organizing led by Chinatown resident Peter Soo Hoo, a new Chinatown was eventually built, designed in part by Hollywood set designers. In 1938, L.A.’s “New Chinatown” finally celebrated its grand opening and quickly became a popular local and visitor destination.
Getting to Chinatown in Los Angeles
A short walk from Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles, Chinatown is easy to reach via public transit. The Chinatown station on the Metro L line, which features designs from local artists and Chinese architectural elements, also stops right in the heart of Chinatown. To drive there, take highways 110 or 101. Chinatown sits just between the two thoroughfares, north of Downtown L.A. and Little Tokyo. There are a number of paid public parking garages around the area, and a large lot south of the neighborhood at the Chinese American Museum.
Things to Do in Chinatown in Los Angeles
Shopping
There are lots of Chinatown Los Angeles stores where you can find unique gifts. Be ready to barter and bargain hunt at Saigon Plaza, or stop in at Chinatown stores like Tin Bo, which specializes in Chinese herbs, and Iko Iko, a design concept shop and gallery for clothes, furniture, and accessories.
Chinatown continues to gain recognition as a Los Angeles fashion and design destination. Chung King Road, a small courtyard off Hill Street, has a long history as a hub of art galleries, restaurants, and antique shops, like Asian Treasure Arts & Craft and Alex Cheung Co. Admire the art at Charlie James Gallery, which showcases young L.A. artists. There are also a few Chinatown community spaces, like Noon Projects, which hosts a mix of exhibits and event programs.
While you’ll find all kinds of shopping in Chinatown, maybe the most well-loved store is the plant shop Rainbow. The no-frills space sells gorgeous and affordable greenery.
Dining
The food scene in Chinatown Los Angeles includes everything from high-end to hole-in-the-wall. Start at Far East Plaza food mall, built in 1976 and known for its eclectic variety. It gained local acclaim after chef Roy Choi (of Kogi BBQ food truck fame) relocated his brick-and-mortar spot to the food mall. Choi has since moved his location, but the Far East Plaza is now home to a number of trendy pop-ups serving traditional Asian street food and more. Find everything from Kim Chuy’s long-serving Chinese noodles and Nashville-style chicken shop Howlin’ Ray’s to Lasita’s Filipino fine-dining fare and the popular Scoops ice cream.
Chinatown L.A. also has plenty of classics, like the iconic Philippe the Original (known as Philippe’s). The spot has been serving up French dip sandwiches, which it claims to have invented, since 1908. Only slightly newer and nearby, Phoenix Bakery has been making its famous fresh strawberry whipped cream cake since Chinatown opened in 1938, securing its reputation as the oldest bakery in Los Angeles.
If you’re looking for high-end, try Majordomo, the first West Coast restaurant from Momofuku chef David Chang. The hip spot with an airy interior serves Korean-meets-California cuisine.
Sip cocktails at General Lee’s or enjoy a beer at one of the many spots that make up Los Angeles’ brewery scene like the award-winning Highland Park Brewery, tucked inside a converted warehouse on Chinatown’s east side. Want a non-alcoholic drink instead? Try Ten Ren Tea, one of the biggest distributors of fine Chinese tea in the world. They also serve up fresh boba and sweet milk teas.
Chinese American Museum
The Chinese American Museum, housed in the 1890 Garnier Building, the oldest surviving building from the original Chinatown, is filled with stunning exhibits of Chinese-American art and history. It’s located just south of the current Chinatown at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monuments, a downtown historic district.
The Garnier Building was once considered the informal “city hall” of L.A.’s Chinese-American community. The museum opened in 2013 as the first museum in California dedicated to Chinese-American history. Permanent exhibits include a re-creation of the original herb store that was once housed in the building and an exploration of the community’s history.
Other Things to See in Chinatown L.A.
Half the fun of walking around Chinatown in Los Angeles is admiring the architectural details. Go through the Dragon Gate, also known as the Chinatown Gateway Monument, on N. Broadway. Designed by artist Ruppert Mok, the gate is illuminated in the evenings. And be sure to visit the famous and beautiful East and West Gates that mark the edges of Central Plaza.
While you’re strolling through Central Plaza, look out for the Bruce Lee statue. The martial arts star once had a Los Angeles studio in Chinatown.
The Taoist Thien Hau Temple, on Yale Street, is dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, and down the street is the second-oldest school in Los Angeles, Castelar Street Elementary School, with a large mural that depicts one of China’s most important calligraphers. There are quite a few murals throughout Chinatown, including the Dragon Chasing Pearl mural next to the East Gate, painted in 1941 by the artist Tyrus Wong, known for his work in movies.
And, of course, don’t miss the Chinatown festivals. The biggest is Lunar New Year and includes a Golden Dragon Parade, which has been held for more than 100 years. Celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month in May throughout the state. And if you’re heading north, make a stop at San Francisco’s Chinatown as well.
