Chinatown Food and History Walking Tour: 3 sit-down tastings

Three sit-down tastings and the stories behind a neighborhood that intimidates most visitors

A 3-hour walking tour of Manhattan's Chinatown with a licensed guide, three sit-down indoor tastings (dim sum, Peking duck, Malaysian food), and stops at historic landmarks and Columbus Park. The guide shares the neighborhood's 200-year history and regional immigrant communities, so you leave knowing how to navigate it and what to order. Tea is included at each restaurant. Vegetarian and nut-free substitutions are available on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chinatown food and history tour

• Seated tasting of classic dim sum
• Learn Chinatown's history and development
• Walk down iconic Chinatown street
• Seated tasting of Malaysian Roti Canai and curry
• Try Mochi doughnuts
• Stroll through Columbus Park
• Seated tasting of authentic Peking duck
• End with Egg Custard Tarts dessert

The experience

Start with dim sum at a Michelin-recommended restaurant known for made-to-order service. You sit down for a multi-course tasting of classic dim sum items while the guide walks you through Chinatown's history: how regional communities from across Asia settled here over two centuries and shaped the neighborhood's distinct micro-zones. This first stop sets the pace: you're eating, not rushing between street samples.

The walk itself moves through legendary streets featured in films and historical accounts, passing iconic restaurants and a cocktail lounge worth returning to. You'll stop at Columbus Park, Chinatown's "Town Square," where locals gather daily to exercise, play traditional Chinese instruments, and play games rooted in Chinese culture. The guide points out what you're seeing, not just the sights, but why they matter to the people who live here.

Two more sit-down tastings follow: Malaysian street food (roti canai bread with mild curry) at a newer restaurant, and authentic Peking duck carved in front of you by trained chefs, served with a house specialty. Between tastings, you try mochi doughnuts made from Japanese mochi flour and matcha tea, then finish at Chinatown's most popular bakery with egg custard tarts: a classic Chinese dessert with lightly sweet custard in a flaky, buttery shell. Tea comes with each restaurant stop. All food is included in your ticket price and portions are substantial enough that you won't need another meal after.

What’s included

• Licensed NYC tour guide in English.
• three sit-down indoor tastings (dim sum, Malaysian roti canai with curry, Peking duck with house specialty).
• mochi doughnuts and egg custard tarts at bakeries.
• tea at each restaurant.
• walking access to historic landmarks, legendary streets, and Columbus Park.

Information

Lasts 3h, runs every day except Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 and 10:30, from US$ 99 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and Friday: 11:00Saturday and Sunday: 10:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 181 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Foods of New York Tours

Is this one for you?Three hours is enough to taste your way through the neighborhood and understand its history without consuming your whole afternoon. You'll finish with time to explore elsewhere in Manhattan or return to a restaurant the guide mentioned. If you're new to Chinatown or overwhelmed by where to eat, the fixed stops and guided narrative remove that decision-making. If you want a full day of food and neighborhood immersion, this tour is a foundation you can build on with your own wandering afterward.

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Top questions

What exactly do I taste on this Chinatown food tour?

The tour includes three sit-down tastings: a multi-course dim sum tasting at a Michelin-recommended restaurant, Malaysian roti canai bread with curry at a newer establishment, and authentic Peking duck carved tableside with a house specialty dish. You also try mochi doughnuts and egg custard tarts at bakeries, plus tea at each restaurant: all included in the ticket price.

How long does the tour take and what's the pace like?

The tour runs 3 hours total. You sit down for three of the tastings rather than standing and sampling, so the pace is relaxed. You're eating, learning, and walking through the neighborhood without rushing between stops.

Will I learn about Chinatown's history, or is this just about the food?

The guide covers 200 years of Chinatown's development and the different regional communities who immigrated here, explaining how the neighborhood evolved into distinct micro-zones. You'll understand the history behind what you're tasting and see why certain streets and landmarks matter to residents.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

Vegetarian and nut-free substitutions are available. Mention any dietary restrictions, including specific meat restrictions or nut allergies, in your booking notes. The tour cannot accommodate vegan, gluten-free, or other specific food allergies. Contact the office directly if you have questions about your restrictions.

Is Columbus Park part of the tour?

Yes. You take a stroll through Columbus Park, Chinatown's "Town Square," where local residents gather daily to exercise, play traditional Chinese music and instruments, and play games traditional to Chinese culture. It's a stop that shows you how the neighborhood functions for the people who live there.

Can I buy drinks on the tour?

Tea is included at each restaurant. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available for purchase at some establishments. You must be 21 or older to purchase alcohol.