Chinatown, Armour Square

Tucked away just south of the Loop is Chicago’s Chinatown, a rich cultural tapestry of restaurants, businesses and shops, and home to much of the city's Chinese-American population. Currently the fourth largest Chinatown in the United States, a visit to this unique neighborhood is to experience a whole different world without ever leaving the city.

Chicago’s first Chinese-Americans settled around the intersection of Clark and Van Buren Streets in the late 1800s, but gradual expansion of the Loop pushed Chinatown south to its current location at Cermak and Wentworth Avenues. The iconic Chinatown Gate spans Wentworth, with four gold characters that proclaim, “The world belongs to the commonwealth”, a reference to the spirit and resilience of Chicago’s first Chinese settlers. Just south of the gate is ‘old Chinatown’, where the area’s original restaurants, homes, churches and schools are clustered. Evergreen Restaurant and Emperor’s Choice are neighborhood stalwarts, while the wonton noodle soups at Seven Treasures and Chinese pastries and treats at Feida Bakery are perfect for a quick bite. This ‘main street’ comes alive throughout the year with festivals and parades, including the popular Chinese New Year Parade and Chinatown Summer Fair.

Newer neighborhood development is largely centered in Chinatown Square on Archer Avenue. This two-story outdoor mall was built in the early 1990’s and presents a dizzying array of eating and shopping options. Diners with a taste for spicy Northern Chinese cuisine have the acclaimed duo of Lao Sze Chuan and Lao Beijing to choose from. Dim sum lovers should check out Shui Wah or the Happy Chef Dim Sum House next door, but be prepared for long lines on weekends! Barbeque shops like BBQ King House or Great Wall Restaurant, with rows of lacquered roast duck and crispy skin roast pork hanging in the window, are great for an easy takeout meal any day of the week. Finally, delicious pan-Asian fare and some of the best bubble tea in the city make Joy Yee’s Noodles a popular hangout for the younger crowd.

Chinatown Square is also home to gift shops, boutiques and grocery stores that sell everything from souvenirs and imported sweets to specialty ingredients for whipping up your own authentic Chinese meal at home. Directly to the northwest of Chinatown Square mall is Ping Tom Memorial Park, a picturesque urban oasis along the banks of the Chicago River’s south branch and the site of Dragon Boat Races every July.

Chinatown is officially a part of the Armour Square community, which has another popular Chicago attraction, U.S. Cellular Field, the home of the Chicago White Sox. Armour Square is named for Armour Square Park, one of the oldest parks in the city, located at 33rd Street and Shields Avenue. U.S. Cellular Field, Armour Square Park and Chinatown are all serviced by the CTA's Red Line (Cermak-Chinatown and Sox/35th stations) and the #24 Wentworth bus. 

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