Chinatown

Houston is home to the second largest Asian population in the United States and has a vibrant and bustling Chinatown neighborhood. Originally located in what is now referred to as EaDo, Chinatown packed up and moved to the Southwest side of Houston. This section of Houston is now more aptly called Asiatown due to the heavy influence of Vietnamese, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese and Korean heritage. It’s a thriving district rich with culture and life that everyone should experience for themselves.

Eat 

If you eat one thing in Chinatown, make it the Houston staple Vietnamese crawfish. This zesty marriage of crawfish and Asian flavors is a local favorite and no place does it better than Crawfish & Noodles. However, if you are looking for something more traditional try Pho Binh and slurp-up a hearty bowl of pho. Their flavorful noodles and robust broth hit the spot on those cool and rainy nights. If it is dim sum you are looking for, head to Hong Kong Dim Sum or Golden Dim Sum. Feast on traditional dishes like steamed shrimp dumplings, crispy chicken feet, and pork spare ribs. Other notable Asian-inspired eateries that should not be forgotten include Tiger Den, Saigon Pagolac, Fung’s Kitchen and Kim Son.   

Stay

While there are many hotels directly in Chinatown, we suggest venturing out when staying in H-Town. Just down the Westpark Tollway in the Galleria/Uptown Park area are some of Houston’s best hotels. The newly opened The Post Oak at Uptown Houston is the latest luxury hotel in the city and is the only AAA Five Diamond destination in the city. With thrilling views of Downtown Houston, The Post Oak is a 38-story tall hotel that includes a pool and spa, restaurants like Mastro’s, Bloom & Bee, H Bar, and includes a two-story Rolls Royce showroom. If you’d a hotel with classic grace and history, The Houstonian is the definition of Texas comfort. The secluded campus offers a cozy stay with modern amenities like the top-of-the-art Houstonian Club, an exclusive 200,000 square-foot facility that features indoor and outdoor jogging tracks, tennis courts, racquetball, a resort-style pool, athletic pool, garden pool, and over 200 workout machines.  

Play 

If you are looking to learn more about the Asian culture in Houston, start your adventure with an Asian Heritage Tour with the Chinese Community Center. You’ll explore Chinatown’s cultural, dining and shopping hotspots and get your bearings in this vibrant community. For those who are looking for the best bargain shopping in Houston, look no further than Harwin Drive in Chinatown’s shopping district. You will be able to find anything and with rotating vendors, there is always something new to discover. Or head over to the Hong Kong City Mall, an indoor shopping spot with dozens of shops and restaurants where you can find international cuisine and knick-knacks. For nightlife, gather a group of friends and sing your heart out at one of the many karaoke bars in Chinatown. But if you suffer from stage fright, don’t worry, many venues offer private rooms for rent.