Chinatown's tasty treats and busy streets BY MADOLYN ROY AND NANDA MEIRELLES

Stores in one of Chinatown's streets. Photo: Abibatou Sagna/NEHSJC

The culturally strong neighborhood of Chinatown displays a variety of Asian culinary, art, and attractions that keep people coming back for more.

A welcome sign on a lamp post upon entering the Chinatown neighborhood. Photo: Abibatou Sagna/NEHSJC

Urban life is very active in Boston's Asian neighborhood. Street vendors, restaurants, and tour guides surround the area in a constant motion.

Boba shops smelling of citrus fruits and freshly brewed tea lure customers in on the hot summer day.

Fruit infused and boba teas from the Boba shop Cha Kung Fond and X.F Fried Chicken ChinaTown. Photo: Abibatou Sagna/NEHSJC

Cars honking don’t ever silence the happy sounds of people touring the small business and family-owned restaurants.

A common area for people to sit and rest while exploring Chinatown. Photo: Abibatou Sagna/NEHSJC

With many bakeries in Chinatown, it is easy to find a variety of traditional Chinese buns and pastries.

Pastries from the Bao Bao Bakery in Chinatown. Photo: Abibatou Sagna/NEHSJC

Traditional shops explore to modernize themselves to catch the young community's attention.

Many trending Boba tea places are spread through Chinatown, popularizing the drink. Photos: Abibatou Sagna/NEHSJC

Enlightening Interview from Lili Balle and Linda Lopez

Balle and Lopez, friends walking around Chinatown, share their ratings of their drinks from Tea-Do Boba Tea shop. Balle rates the Tiger Milk Tea, with a brown sugar flavor, 10 out of 10. Lopez rates it a 7 out of 10 because the drink is too sugary for her taste preferences.

CLICK TO HEAR LILI BALLE AND LINDA LOPEZ'S RATINGS
Lopez and Balle visited Chinatown in the summer of 2024 and visited the Double Chin restaurant. Both of them enjoyed the restaurant's dumplings and recommended the place. (Photo: Abibatou Sagna/NEHSJC)

Another famous Chinese restaurant in Chinatown is the Nan Xiang Express Soup Dumplings. The place offer a pleasant environment to enjoy pork, beef, chicken, and many other dumplings flavors.

A neon light sign inside of the Nan Xiang Express Soup Dumplings. (Photo: Nanda Meirelles/NEHSJC)

Interview with Huyvu Vu

Huyvu Vu, who enjoys visiting Chinatown, talks about his experience going to Chinatown over the years. He has seen changes in the community's local cousine and a new lack of parking.

CLICK TO HEAR HUYVU VU'S INTERVIEW

Vu explains that he used to dine frequently at a Taiwanese restaurant in the town, called Gourmet Dumpling House. The establishment permanently closed in 2022. He also noticed that fewer people are visiting Chinatown in comparison to previous years.

Two posters taped on local business along Chinatown streets. (Photo: Madolyn Roy/NEHSJC)

Though there seems to be public discourse on its progression, Chinatown is a culturally vibrant community that helps to define Boston and its history.

A collection of photos showing the variety of Chinatown's stores and sights. (Photo: Nanda Meirelles/NEHSJC)

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