Chicago’s Chinatown with Kids
Chicago is packed with family-friendly attractions, but on our family’s latest trip, we discovered a unique experience that now tops our must-do list: a Chinatown Adventure Food Tour!
After traveling to 30+ countries together as a family, we are always looking for ways to experience international cultures while stateside so this was a perfect fit for us! This wasn’t just a meal—it was a deep dive into culture, history, and of course, delicious food. Our guide promised three things: fun, incredible eats, and new knowledge. And wow, did they deliver!
Over three hours, we visited five different food stops, walking through both the old and new sections of Chinatown, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere, and even learning some fun cultural traditions along the way. (Did you know that spilling a little tea is actually considered good luck? And that you should never pour your own tea? Now you do!)
Another unexpected highlight? A stop at Ping Tom Park, where we took in stunning views of the Chicago skyline while sipping warm boba tea—absolutely perfect for a chilly winter day.
Here is a rundown of each stop:
1. Hong Kong Dim Sum
We started the tour with three types of dim sum, dipping sauces, and tea at Triple Crown Restaurant. This was also the meeting spot for our tour. This restaurant was beautiful and very elaborately decorated. Set on the second floor with many windows overlooking Chinatown, this is probably the best spot to snap a few pictures indoors. Although we only tried three options, the menu displayed 50+ choices! A delicious and authentic start!
2. Chinese Pastries
A stop at a bakery was next on the list, and we sampled two types of pastries there. Our guide was great about breaking down the flavors, cultural significance, and history behind each. These flaky treats are made with pork lard instead of butter (don’t worry, no porky taste!), creating a uniquely crispy texture.
3. Spicy Szechuan
This was a full meal in itself! We first sampled local “spicy” peppercorns. Our guide explained this as a cooler spicy that causes your mouth to feel almost numb verses hot like a spicy pepper. The kids especially liked learning to slow down and focus on food’s taste in this way. Our group then enjoyed slaw, eggplant, rice, chicken, and vegetables while watching fresh crab rangoons being crafted at the next table. Brandon ate three servings of Szechuan chicken- wow it was delicious!
4. Boba Tea
This was Abigail’s favorite stop! She had been wanting to try boba for ages, and this version—hot mango-flavored tea—was a total hit, especially since it warmed us up on our walk through the park.
5. Sweet Egg Tarts & Milk Tea
At this last stop, we learned that Chinese egg tarts originally came from Portugal. The Portuguese version is sweeter, while the type we tried from China was definitely more egg flavor. Another round of hot tea (this time with milk influenced by the British) was the perfect ending to a fantastic adventure!
Why We Loved It
This tour, hosted by Chicago Food & City Tours, made for an amazing educational experience in addition to being a food lover’s dream. The kids had a blast, learned about Chinese traditions, and tried foods they may not have otherwise. Bonus: they offer discounted or free rates for kids depending on their ages, making it a fantastic budget-friendly activity.
If you’re visiting Chicago with kids, this is an experience you don’t want to miss. For first-timers, the Iconic Foods of Chicago tour is another great option, but since we had already visited many of those spots, we loved choosing something a little more off the beaten path!
**This post contains affiliate links. We are grateful for the opportunity to be hosted by Chicago Food &C City Tours. All opinions are our own.
To see all our travel adventures during a year-long trip around the world, head over to our Instagram page.
If you have questions or tips for a trip to Chicago with kids, let us know! Happy Travels!
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