Houston’s Chinatown is located between Alief and Bellaire. It is an extremely diverse neighborhood with Asians from different countries living and working in the area. If you’re looking for bargain finds, you can head to Harwin Drive where you’ll find anything from clothes to electronic goods. There are also great restaurants to satisfy your craving for Asian food, such as Vietnamese pho or Cantonese dim sum. Read on to learn about the best things to do in Houston’s Chinatown.
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1. Have an Asian fusion feast at GiAu Bar n Bites
GiAu Bar n Bites in Houston is renowned for its delectable array of culinary delights that tantalize the taste buds. The menu is as appetizing as the delicacies available on some of the city’s food tours. It boasts a fusion of Asian and American flavors, offering a delightful selection of dishes that cater to a wide range of preferences. From mouthwatering sushi rolls expertly crafted with fresh seafood to savory small bites such as crispy dumplings and sliders, Giau Bar N Bites takes guests on a flavorful journey.
Whether it’s the rich umami of their ramen bowls, the artful presentation of sushi, or the perfect blend of spices in their innovative dishes, the restaurant promises a dining experience that satisfies both the senses and the soul.
GiAu Bar n Bites
Address: 9889 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77072, United States
Website: GiAu Bar n Bites
Opening hours: 5pm - 2am (daily)
2. Have a bite of goodies from Nikko's Cheesecakes
One of the best places in the Chinatown of Houston for delectable confections is Nikko’s Cheesecakes. Here, you’re in for a delightful treat of indulgent cheesecake creations. Their menu showcases a range of tempting options, including classic New York-style cheesecakes and a selection of unique, innovative flavors. From traditional favorites to exciting twists like Oreo, blueberry, and tiramisu cheesecakes, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Don’t miss the opportunity to try their savory cheesecakes for a delightful departure from the ordinary.
With quality ingredients and skillful craftsmanship, Nikko’s Cheesecakes offers a dessert experience that’s both familiar and refreshingly inventive.
Nikko's Cheesecakes
Address: 9188 Bellaire Blvd # C, Houston, TX 77036, United States
Website: Nikko’s Cheesecakes
Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)
3. Visit the Teo Chew Temple
A hidden gem in Houston’s Chinatown is the Teo Chew Temple, located near Arthur Storey Park. The Teo Chew Temple is dedicated to Taoist deities and serves the local Teochew community. The temple offers religious and cultural activities for its members, and is a place of worship and cultural preservation.
Do note that as a place of worship, appropriate clothing must be worn to visit the temple. Men should not wear tank tops or shorts, and women should wear modest pants or dresses.
Teo Chew Temple
Address: 10600 Turtlewood Court Houston, TX 77072
Website: Teo Chew Temple
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
4. Enjoy bubble tea (boba)
There are many popular bubble tea shops and cafes in Houston’s Chinatown where you can have a refreshing bubble tea to take a break form sightseeing. If you’ve never heard of bubble tea or boba, it is a drink that originated in Taiwan that typically consists of tapioca balls in milk tea. These days, there are many variations of this drink with teas such as fruit tea and smoothies, and toppings like aloe vera and fruit. Here are some popular options of bubble tea shops in Chinatown:
Gong Cha
Ten Ren Tea & Ginseng
7 Leaves Cafe
5. Dance the night away at Cloud9 NoStress
If you’re on the hunt for fun things to do in Houston’s Chinatown, get your moves ready for Cloud9 NoStress. This dance club is a place for a wild night of partying with your friends. It is open only from 2 am to 6 am on Fridays to Sundays and is the perfect escape from the stress and rush of everyday life. Its neon-lit dance floor features a hookah lounge. For anything crazy and wild after hours, Cloud9 NoStress is the place to be.
Cloud9 NoStress
Address: 10400 Harwin Dr., Houston, TX 77036, United States
Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 2am - 6am (closed on Mon - Thu)
6. Feast on Cajun-style seafood
Bring the Deep South to your trip and enjoy a Louisiana-style feast when you dine at LA Crawfish Shack. This Cajun-style seafood restaurant takes pride in being the only spot that serves crawfish all year round in Houston. Get your hands on the best gumbos and red beans and rice, and more at this top-notch eatery. LA Crawfish Shack opened in 2010, and it experienced a slow beginning. The restaurant eventually became popular and opened a second location in the city in 2019.
LA Crawfish Shack
Address: 5858 S Gessner Rd #130, Houston, TX 77036, United States
Website: LA Crawfish Shack
Opening hours: 11:30am - 9pm (daily)
7. Go on a shopping spree at Hong Kong City Mall
Of course, you’ll find plenty of places to shop and enjoy some retail therapy! One of the best destinations for shopping in the Chinatown of Houston is Hong Kong City Mall, one of the best shopping malls in Houston. The commercial center is also a major hangout spot for the Asian-American community in this city.
Furthermore, the mall is home to more than 100 Asian-focused stores, dining spots, and teahouses. It also features one of the best fresh food markets in Houston’s Chinatown. It is basically your one-stop shop for all things Asian food and other goodies.
Hong Kong City Mall
Address: 11205 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77072, United States
Website: Hong Kong City Mall
Opening hours: 8am - 10pm (daily)
8. Catch a game at Clay Stadium
If you’re a big fan of football, be it national, state, or just local, Houstons’s Clay Stadium often hosts a number of games with the Crusaders. The Fighting Crusaders is the Strake Jesuit College Preparatory’s varsity football team. Opening in 2004, the stadium is also often used for other sports matches like soccer, lacrosse, rugby, and track and field. Clay Stadium has a seating capacity of over 5,000. Have a fun night out with your buddies and catch a local game here!
Clay Stadium
Address: 8900 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036, United States
Website: Clay Stadium
9. Have a delicious meal
If you don’t know what to do in Chinatown, Houston, why not fill your belly with some of the most delicious dishes served here? If you’re looking to slurp on Vietnamese pho, then Saigon Pagolac and Kim Son are famous for their delicious Vietnamese food. Craving for dim sum? Hong Kong Dim Sum provides a delicious spread.
Saigon Pagolac Restaurant
Address: 9600 Bellaire Blvd Suite 119, Houston, TX 77036, United States
Website: Saigon Pagolac Restaurant
Kim Son
Address: 10603 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77072, United States
Website: Kim Son
Hong Kong Dim Sum
Address: 9889 Bellaire Blvd #110 Houston TX 77072
Website: Hong Kong Dim Sum
10. Sing at the Yes KTV karaoke bar
Everyone loves to sing, and you can unleash your inner Celine Dion or Ariana Grande at the Yes KTV karaoke bar. A full-service bar for non-alcoholic beverages, it promises a vibrant environment, with private rooms you can rent in order to sing your lungs out. You can bring your own alcoholic drinks to this bar. With over 10,000 English songs and a wide selection of other songs in different languages, this is party heaven indeed.
Yes KTV karaoke bar
Address: 9889 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036, USA
Website: Yes KTV karaoke bar
Opening hours: Monday - Friday 6:30 pm - 2:00 am; Saturday 2:00 pm - 3:00 am; Sunday 1:30 pm - 2:00 am
Average price for two: 30-80 USD (Hourly)
11. Go shopping
If you are going to Chinatown in Houston for some shopping, then try browsing around Harwin Drive. Harwin Drive is lined with vendors selling everything from toe rings, essentials to even electronics and designer look-alikes of formal wear. The products are from various countries in Asia, and prices are very affordable. Some street food stall vendors also operate there, so be sure to check them out. Start at the Harwin Central Mart and venture down south.
12. Get a reflexology massage
There are no lack of massage saloons in Chinatown, so if you need a foot rub for your poor aching feet after a day of sightseeing, then pop in a foot reflexology saloon. Oasis Massage is a great and popular spot to book a massage, if you’re travelling in a group they even have private rooms that you can book for a group of four.
Oasis Massage
Address: 9889 Bellaire Blvd Ste 331 Houston, TX 77036 United States Chinatown, Sharpstown
Website: Oasis Massage
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Average price for two: 30-100 USD
13. Try spicy Asian crawfish at Cajun Kitchen
With so many food choices, it’s difficult to claim any dish as Houston’s signature dish, but Asian Cajun-style crawfish is a great favourite, and Cajun Kitchen in Chinatown is the place to have it. A Vietnamese dish, it has evolved to suit the taste buds of the locals and the end product is a unique dish spicy enough to tickle your taste buds.
Cajun Kitchen
Address: 6938 Wilcrest Dr, Houston, TX 77072, USA
Website: Cajun Kitchen
Opening hours: Weekdays 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm; Weekends 12:00 noon - 10:00 pm
Average price for two persons: 11-30 USD
14. Take an Asian heritage tour
Of course, if you’re in Chinatown, then do check out the heritage tours to find out more about the area’s history. The Chinese Community Centre organises tours for 45 USD per person and brings you to area landmarks such as the above mentioned Harwin Mart. Learn about the culture and history of each place, and also find out where to eat. You can also choose from other tours that focus on workshops such as Chinese calligraphy or tea drinking ceremonies around Chinatown.
Asian heritage tour by The Chinese Community Centre
Website: The Chinese Community Centre
Food, fun and massage at Chinatown, Houston
Texas is well known for its barbecued ribs and cowboys, but step into Chinatown, Houston, and you will find out that Texas is more than that! Delicious choices await, and you’ll be able to shop to your heart’s delight. Or if you’re a history buff or intrigued by cultural practices like Chinese calligraphy or the Japanese art of drinking tea, then sign up for the heritage tours. Make sure to check out the best Chinese restaurants as well. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll see that the place is definitely worth a visit.