Chef Joseph Poon’s Tour of Chinatown
September 8, 2023
For over 40 years, Chef Joseph Poon has been an integral part of Chinatown’s culinary scene. During any given trip, visitors can spot the lively and energic Poon leading his Wok ‘N Walk Tours of Philadelphia Chinatown, showing the best spots in the neighborhood to eat. His enthusiasm and expertise earned him the opportunity to cook at James Beard House. And he appeared on The Tonight Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and the Food Network.
We asked Chef Poon to take us around Chinatown and share his picks for authentic, quick bites in Chinatown. Here are his nine picks for the best places to eat in Philadelphia’s Chinatown.
1. Yummy Yummy
Address: 52 N. 10th Street
A small hidden treasure of Chinatown, Yummy Yummy is known for its Bubble Waffle, voted Best Waffle by Philadelphia Magazine. The stuffed waffle is a common Hong Kong street food and comes in different flavors, from savory floss pork with seaweed to sweet chocolate Oreo. Yummy Yummy also serves hot dishes like five spice beef stuffed scallion pancakes and curry fish balls on a stick.
Signature dish: Besides the Bubble Waffle, another popular dish is the soft tofu with ginger syrup. This common, on the go dish has the flavor of warm oatmeal.

Yummy – Chinatown Tour. Photo by J. Ryan for the PHLCVB.
2. Heung Fa Chun Sweet House
Address: 112 N. 10th Street
A small takeout shop, Heung Fa Chun Sweet House has a large selection of Chinese dishes for an affordable price. This Chinatown gem offers stuffed steamed buns, soft tofu pudding with ginger or spicy sauce, and sweet and savory soups. Not to mention, they also offer a large selection of stuffed sticky rice wrapped in a flat leaf.
Signature dish: For a sweet treat, try their Pearl Drink — commonly known in America as Bubble Tea — in either their red bean or Mung bean flavor.

Heung Fa Chun Sweet House – Chinatown Tour. Photo by J. Ryan for the PHLCVB.
3. Mayflower Bakery
Address: 1008 Race Street
A longstanding staple of Chinatown, Mayflower Bakery is where you will find some of the best pastries in Chinatown. Head here for a nice selection of buns and cakes, Vietnamese Iced Coffee, milk drinks, and bubble teas. Not to missed is the moist and flakey coconut bun with coconut filling. For fans of savory flavors, the scallion bun is soft and buttery with ample pieces of green scallion. And the pork bun has is lightly browned and filled with rich and flavorful roasted pork. Visitors should know the seating is very limited and the bakery only takes payments in cash and through Venmo.
Signature dish: One of Mayflower Bakery’s most popular pastries is their Egg Tart, a crumbly buttery shell filled with creamy egg custard.

Mayflower Bakery – Chinatown Tour. Photo by J. Ryan for the PHLCVB.
4. Canto House
Address: 941 Race Street
Cantonese BBQ, or siu mei, is a method of roasting meats on spits or over an open wood fire. One of the best Cantonese BBQ spots in Chinatown is Canto House. They are known for their selection of BBQ, roasted meats, and a wide selection of soups and noodle dishes. Savor the Three Treasures, which includes three meats -typically roasted duck, roasted pork, and soy chicken- served over white rice with Chinese greens. Canto House also offers Beef Lo Mein, Roast Pork Pan Fried Noodles, and Singapore Style Rice Vermicelli.
Signature dish: The roasted duck is a must have for anyone with an appetite for flavor. Chef Poon always tells his American friends to make sure they eat the crispy skin — it’s the best part of the meal.

Canto House – Chinatown Tour. Photo by J. Ryan for the PHLCVB.
5. Heng Fa Food Market
Address: 130 N. 10th Street
A perfect place to pick up produce, seafood, meats, and dry goods, Heng Fa Food Market is a community staple. Outside the market are many Asian fruits and vegetables like dragon fruit, rambutans, longans, and persimmons. Inside, you will find many different types of seafood. The meat section includes black “silk” chickens, organ meat like liver and tripe, Chinese sausage, and a wide variety of thinly sliced meat for making a hot pot at home.
Signature dish: The basement level of the market has nonperishable goods like sauces, packaged snacks, dried noodles, and sweets that are hard to find in America.

Heng Fa Food Market – Chinatown Tour. Photo by J. Ryan for the PHLCVB.
6. Asianfresh Food Market
Address: 142-144 N. 10th Street
Asianfresh Food Market is a two-story Asian food market that offers various fruits and vegetables. At the outside stands, vendors sell oranges, durian, melons, and leche fruits. Inside is where you can find greens and vegetables. There are also tanks full of live seafood, a wide selection of meats, and a good supply of hot pot ingredients and cooking tools.

Asianfresh – Chinatown Tour. Photo by J. Ryan for the PHLCVB.
7. Sang Kee Peking Duck House
Address: 238 N. 9th Street
Sang Kee Owner and Executive Chef Michael Chow has been perfecting the art of roast duck since the early eighties. Their menu features half and whole options for Sang Kee Style Peking Duck, served with an in-house sauce. They also offer other duck fusion foods such as duck rolls and a shredded duck stir fry with green beans.
Signature dish: Sang Kee Peking Duck House was the first to bring their famous Peking Duck to Philadelphia in 1980. They roast their ducks daily, so you always get a fresh meal.

Sang Kee Peking Duck House – Chinatown Tour. Photo by J. Ryan for the PHLCVB.
8. Moon Flower House
Address: 225 N. 11th Street
One of Chinatowns newest eateries, Moon Flower House has a chic, modern look. The menu features spicy chicken sandwiches, with a choice of white or dark meat, served on a sesame seed bun. Also on the menu are burgers, fries, and an extensive snack menu including mozzarella sticks, popcorn chicken, and Tokoyati Balls.
Signature dish: An American classic with an Asian twist, the Chicken Rice burger has a juicy and fresh chicken patty served on a rice bun.

Moon Flower House – Chinatown Tour. Photo by J. Ryan for the PHLCVB.
9. QT Vietnamese Sandwich
Address: 48 N. 10th Street
QT Vietnamese Sandwich is a small Vietnamese sandwich shop. They make dishes like bun rieu, a rice noodle soup with ground pork, dried shrimp, crab, and egg. The banh mi sandwiches come in many varieties, from BBQ pork and ham to fishball banh mi.

QT Vietnamese Sandwich – Chinatown Tour. Photo by J. Ryan for the PHLCVB.
Visit our Chinatown neighborhood guide for more things to do in the area.