NYC Chinatown food & history tour

My Chinatown
Table

Five tastings. A chef’s stories. The neighborhood that raised him.

Explore the Chinatown chef Eric Kwan grew up eating in, on a tasting walk he created. Your tour is led by Eric or a guide he personally selects. From silky cheung fun to a sweet bakery finish, discover the food, people, and everyday traditions behind each bite.

Request this tour Preview the five tastings

Steamed shrimp dumplings, photographed by Eric Kwan — Photo by Eric Kwan. Final tour dishes and portions vary.

At a glance

The experience: A food and history walk created by Eric, led by him or a guide he personally selects
Your guide: Eric or a personally selected guide; confirmed before you book
Tastings: Five planned tastes; final selections confirmed before booking
Duration & meeting point: Confirmed with your date and walking route
Price & inclusions: Eric confirms the total price and what’s included before you commit

Share dietary and accessibility needs with your request so Eric can discuss suitable arrangements.

A personal invitation

The Chinatown I grew up eating.

“For me, Chinatown has always been more than a place to get a good meal. It’s where I ate breakfast before school, learned the flavors I still love, and began discovering the work behind the food. On this walk, I want to share that connection with you.”

Eric Kwan · chef, New Yorker, and Chinatown kid

Your tasting preview

Five bites of my Chinatown.

01
Cheung fun · Rice noodle rolls
The bite that started it all
Soft rice noodle rolls were Eric’s breakfast before school at Yung Wing Public School. Discover the texture, fillings, and sauces behind the dish that helped shape his appetite.
Photo by Eric Kwan. Final tasting selections vary.
02
Dim sum · A Cantonese tradition
Inside the bamboo basket
A basket of dim sum opens a conversation about Cantonese craftsmanship, tea, and sharing a table. Discover the details a cook notices, from a delicate wrapper to a carefully balanced filling.
Photo by Eric Kwan. Final tasting selections vary.
03
Dumplings · Small bites, skilled hands
Wrapped by hand
Explore the work behind a dumpling: the filling, the fold, and the cooking method. A neighborhood favorite becomes a chance to look beyond the first bite.
Photo by Eric Kwan. Final tasting selections vary.
04
Cantonese barbecue · A taste of the kitchen
From the roast shop
Taste a Cantonese barbecue favorite with Eric’s chef’s perspective on marinades, roasting, and the traditions behind Chinatown’s roast shops.
05
Bakery favorites · One last bite
A sweet Chinatown finish
Finish with a bakery favorite, such as an egg tart, and the stories that travel between generations through food. It’s a sweet reason to return to the neighborhood.

Between the bites

Food with a backstory.

Explore Chinatown’s streets through Eric’s childhood memories and experience in professional kitchens.
Hear how immigration, family, and craftsmanship shape the food you taste.
Look closer at neighborhood landmarks and the people who keep Chinatown’s traditions alive.

The route is tailored to this tasting walk. For the broader Five Points story, explore Beyond Bill the Butcher and our historical highlights.

Meet the chef behind the tour

Created by Eric. Shared by your guide.

I’m Eric Kwan, a Food Network Chopped champion trained at the French Culinary Institute and The Culinary Institute of America. My Chinese cooking background runs from Jolly King on the Bowery to Susur Lee’s Shang, Lotus and Cleaver in Miami, and China Grill.

I led the kitchens at The Boil and served as MOFAD’s exhibition chef for CHOW: The Making of a Chinese American Restaurant. This tasting walk brings that experience back to my childhood favorites and the neighborhood that raised me.

This tour is led by me or a guide I personally select to share my favorite foods and neighborhood stories. We’ll confirm your guide before you book.

Read my Chinatown story

Before you come hungry

A few useful details.

Will Eric lead my tour?

This tasting walk is created by chef Eric Kwan and led by Eric or a guide he personally selects. We’ll confirm your guide before you book. Eric personally leads all premium tours, scheduled around his availability.

Are the five dishes guaranteed?

The previews show the planned style of tastings. Eric confirms the food selections and inclusions before you book; availability, restaurant hours, and dietary needs may affect the lineup.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Please include allergies and dietary needs in your request. Suitable alternatives depend on the restaurants and dishes; accommodation and an allergen-free environment cannot be guaranteed.

How much walking is involved?

Eric confirms the duration, route, meeting point, and available seating before you commit. Mention wheelchair, stroller, or other access needs so you can discuss the arrangements together.

Does requesting a date reserve a spot?

No. Your request starts a conversation with Eric about availability, your guide, group size, food, and price. You are not charged and your tour is not reserved by submitting the form.