A Chill Day in Chinatown
If there’s one thing I love about Chicago, it’s how every neighborhood has its own vibe, and Chinatown is easily one of my favorites. The energy, the food, the little shops, it’s the perfect place for a weekend adventure. My friends and I took the Red Line down to Cermak-Chinatown (about 20 minutes from DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus) and began exploring.
We kicked things off by checking out the viral “hidden” food court, which is called HeungSeng Square. If you’ve never been, it’s tucked away on the basement level of the mall, and honestly, it’s a total gem. The space is packed with stalls serving everything from dumplings to boba, and the smells alone make you want to try everything. They also have small shops and salons. Even though we didn’t eat there this time because we had our hearts set on a sit-down meal, it’s definitely on my list for a future visit.
For lunch, we headed to Lao Sze Chuan, one of Chinatown’s most iconic spots, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. We ordered the Orange Chicken, one of their signature dishes, and let me tell you, it was juicy and tangy in the best way possible. The chicken fried rice is a staple, but it was also really good.
After lunch, we walked around to find some boba. Some of my favorite spots include Joy Yee, DaBoba and Uni Uni. My go-to? Either a mango or lychee fruit tea with extra boba (yup, extra) with light ice; it’s super refreshing!
After lunch, we wandered into some of the small jewelry shops nearby. I love how Chinatown has these hidden little stores filled with jade bracelets, gold necklaces, and detailed rings. I didn’t get anything this time, but a couple years ago, I got an evil eye ring from Wintime and I wear it all the time.
All the jewelry is super affordable, usually under $10, so I definitely recommend picking up a few staple pieces.
Of course, no Chinatown trip is complete without dessert, so we made our way to Mango Mango for something sweet. This place specializes in mango-based desserts, and everything on the menu looked amazing. My friends and I shared the crepe with Nutella and ice cream on top, which was light, creamy, and had just the right amount of sweetness. Plus, the fresh mangoes inside were just perfect.
By the time we left, we were so full, a little tired, and already planning our next trip back. Chinatown never disappoints!
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—- Saira