10 Things to Do in Chinatown Aside From Eating Dumplings
- Visit the Teo Chew Temple
- Eat Crawfish Ice Cream at Red Circle Ice Cream
- Eat Pork Buns at Fung’s Kitchen
- Indulge in Various Cuisines at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
- Sing Your Heart Out at One Shot Pocha
- Shop at Hong Kong City Mall
- Try Reflexology Massage at Soul Inn Reflexology & Massage Spa
- Buy Nian Gao at 85°C Bakery Cafe
- Cosplay at Popfancy Dessert Bar
- Dance at Cloud9 NoStress
I remember back in the day when my mother used to take me to Chinatown during the Lunar New Year just to watch dragon dances. She believed bad spirits could be causing my silly antics, and the dragons can take them away from me.
Well, guess what, it didn’t help at all! Now that I’m older, I no longer head to Chinatown chasing dragons as there are several things to do in Chinatown aside from celebrating Lunar New Year or Mooncake Festivals.
Join me as I relive my childhood and explore exciting ways to explore the Asian culture in the heart of Houston.
1. Visit the Teo Chew Temple
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Website: https://www.teochewtemplehouston.com/
Address: 10599 Turtlewood Ct, Houston, TX 77072
Contact Details: +1 281-983-0097
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
For those of you who want to see the religious and cultural activities of the Teochew community then a visit to Chinatown’s Teo Chew Temple is a must.
Here, you can find great craftsmanship made by the Teo Chew Chinese community, making it a great spot for photography. You’ll even notice all Chinese zodiac signs crafted in marble.
What’s great about visiting Teo Chew Temple is that the temple workers are welcoming to tourists, making you feel comfortable inside even if you belong to another religion.
If you want a self-guided tour, you can just scan the QR code by the door to get more information about the Teo Chew Temple.
| Pro tip: Remember to wear appropriate clothes when visiting Teo Chew Temple. Men should refrain from wearing shorts and tank tops, while women should wear non-revealing dresses and pants. |
2. Eat Crawfish Ice Cream at Red Circle Ice Cream
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Website: https://www.redcirclefranchising.com/
Address: 6838 Ranchester Dr, Houston, TX 77036
Contact Details: +1 832-767-5679
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Friday: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM; Saturday: 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM; Sunday: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
If you’re craving sweet treats like churros and handcrafted ice cream with a side of crawfish then you should check out Red Circle Ice Cream. The churros are made fresh upon ordering, so make sure to be a little patient when waiting for your orders.
Once you’re inside Red Circle Ice Crea, you’ll be greeted by their staff. First-time customers will enjoy being assisted by them, guiding you through their menu.
You shouldn’t miss this out if you’re craving a mix of savory and sweet as you won’t find it elsewhere.
| Pro tip: For a touch of Asian, don’t miss out on Red Circle Ice Cream’s Hong Kong-style egg waffles. Like their churros, their waffles are made-to-order, ensuring freshness. |
3. Eat Pork Buns at Fung’s Kitchen
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Website: http://www.fungskitchen.com/
Address: 7320 Southwest Fwy #115, Houston, TX 77074
Contact Details: +1 713-779-2288
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
A trip to Chinatown won’t be complete without trying out favorite dishes from Cantonese cuisine. At Fung’s Kitchen, you can savor various dishes such as crispy spring rolls and buns!
If you want a warmer bowl, you can order their beef noodles or even try their congee. Don’t forget to end your meal with their sweet treats, egg tarts, and sesame balls.
They also have seafood offerings that are fresh from the tank, ensuring you only eat fresh food!
Another exciting feature of Fung’s Kitchen is its weekend dim sum cart offerings. If you want to try out different types of dim sum, visit the restaurant on a weekend to see the carts in full swing.
For families with little kids in tow, you’ll appreciate that Fung’s Kitchen has high chairs available, making it more convenient to attend to your kids while everyone is enjoying their meals.
| Pro tip: If you want a beverage that complements your savory dishes, you can ask the staff for their chrysanthemum tea. Additionally, refills are free so drink all you can! |
4. Indulge in Various Cuisines at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
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Website: https://thekpot.com/
Address: 10790 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77072
Contact Details: +1 281-741-3890
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM; Friday – Saturday: 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM
If you want traditional Korean dining with a twist when you’re in Chinatown, you can try KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot.
Those who enjoy grilling their own meats such as pork belly and beef bulgogi right at their tables will surely have a lovely time at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot. Korean food trip won’t be complete without its interesting lineup of sauces, and of course, kimchi!
Fans of hot pot will also get to customize their meals by choosing their favorite broths, vegetables, noodles, and other toppings.
| Pro tip: Ordering at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is done by placing your food choices on your designated order tablet. Make sure to request for more than one tablet so you can ensure a more seamless ordering process, especially for bigger groups. |
5. Sing Your Heart Out at One Shot Pocha
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Website: https://www.instagram.com/oneshot.htx/
Address: 9501 Long Point Rd K, Houston, TX 77055
Contact Details: +1 713-467-8877
Operating Hours: Wednesday – Monday: 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM
The Korean fever doesn’t stop from our previous entry as you can enjoy Korean dishes and K-Pop at the same time here at One Shot Pocha!
Pocha, short for pojangmacha, actually refers to the traditional Korean street tent where locals enjoy street foods, noodles, or even soju and beer in a lively atmosphere.
At One Shot Pocha, though you won’t be dining and singing in a tent, you’ll be amazed by its lively ambiance and great food selection,
Since One Shot Pocha has a lively atmosphere, it’s a great place for you to bring your friends. Even better, they’re known for their big servings, allowing you and your group to try out various dishes without feeling too full.
Don’t forget to grab the mic and claim your spot while singing your favorite Korean tunes in their private karaoke rooms.
| Pro tip: If you need to have a filling meal after drinking some soju and beer, One Shot Pocha’s best recovery meal would be the Army Stew. It’s a mix of ramen topped with Spam, sausages, and veggies. |
6. Shop at Hong Kong City Mall
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Address: 11205 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77072
Contact Details: +1 281-575-7886
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
If you’re in Chinatown, you can take home some souvenirs that will remind you of your visit, or maybe spend another day of shopping in a different town at Hong Kong City Mall.
Here, you can shop for Asian spices, condiments, and other ingredients at Asian mini-marts. You can even spot some fresh produce and seafood, allowing you to prepare some Asian dishes at home.
Foodies out there will also enjoy their day at Hong Kong City Mall, allowing you to choose various Asian cuisines such as Vietnamese, Korean, and of course, Chinese!
And for a more authentic experience, visit the food court at Hong Kong City Mall to enjoy casual eateries in the heart of Houston’s Chinatown.
| Pro tip: Visit Hong Kong City Mall if you want natural homegrown flowers and plants from Southeast Asia. |
7. Try Reflexology Massage at Soul Inn Reflexology & Massage Spa
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Website: https://soulinnreflexology.wixsite.com/77036
Address: 9600 Bellaire Blvd #135, Houston, TX 77036
Contact Details: +1 832-623-6855
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
For those of you who need to unwind and relax after a full day of exploring Chinatown in Houston, Soul Inn Reflexology & Massage Spa comes to the rescue!
You can enjoy a reflexology massage, great for those who need pressure at specific points in their bodies such as hands and feet.
Upon entering, you’ll instantly feel relaxed as you smell the diffuser oils while listening to relaxing ambient music.
You’ll also love Soul Inn Reflexology & Massage Spa’s attentive staff, who always check on you if you’re comfortable with the type of pressure or even with the room temperature.
Even better, you can ask their therapists for special requests or adjustments on your treatment, especially if you prefer them to use other essential oils—you can even bring your own!
| Pro tip: For full-body massage services, consider requesting a foot reflexology session first. This service will allow your body to be in a more relaxed state before going for the main massage. |
8. Buy Nian Gao at 85°C Bakery Cafe
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Address: 9750 Bellaire Blvd. Houston, TX 77036
Contact Details: +1 832-831-1392
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 9:30 PM
If you want to take home Asian delicacies, several eateries and shops such as 85°C Bakery Cafe offer Nian Gao, a glutinous rice cake mostly favored during the Lunar New Year as it symbolizes good luck and fortune.
It’s a great opportunity for you to bring some home so you can let your friends and family try it too–especially if they love to try some chewy and sticky rice.
What’s great about 85°C Bakery Cafe is that they make their versions of the classic Nian Gao. They even create seasonal offerings with this classic treat.
You can also enjoy eating their glutinous rice cake and pair it with their coffee, making it a great snack spot after roaming around Chinatown.
| Pro tip: 85°C Bakery Cafe also offers savory treats. If you want a more satisfying snack that isn’t on the sweet side, you can consider ordering their spicy sausage bread. |
9. Cosplay at Popfancy Dessert Bar
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Website: http://www.popfancypops.com/
Address: 9393 Bellaire Blvd a6, Houston, TX 77036
Contact Details: +1 832-483-2075
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM
For those of you who love cosplay, Popfancy Dessert Bar in Houston’s Chinatown transforms like a cosplayer every month. Here, you can enjoy checking out costumes, accessories, and props that will bring your favorite characters to life.
Whether it’s from your favorite anime, manga, or video games, you’ll enjoy browsing Popfancy’s selection. Even better, their manager ensures that their aisles and sections are well-organized, making your shopping seamless.
What’s great about Popfancy is that the staff gladly talks about cosplay details, making it feel like you’re in one fun community. You’ll also enjoy an Anime-themed menu, live music, and arcade games.
Aside from cosplay items, you can also buy anime merchandise such as collectibles, and posters, completing your cosplay journey.
| Pro tip: Consider joining Popfancy Dessert Bar’s trivia nights as they provide more treats and prizes that will enhance your cosplay journey. |
10. Dance at Cloud9 NoStress
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Address: 10400 Harwin Dr., Houston, TX 77036
Contact Details: +1 832-684-2977
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM
If you’re in Chinatown and want to sweat out and dance to your favorite song, make sure to drop by Cloud9 NoStress.
What’s great about this dance studio is that you can dance to different genres, allowing you to groove and learn at your own pace.
Upon entering the studio, you’ll feel the mood to work on your dance steps as you see the neon dance lights and vibrant dance floor. Even better, mirrors are all over the place, allowing you to check your proper forms and footwork.
And if you need a quick break from dancing, you can order some drinks and even enjoy smoking some hookah!
| Pro tip: If you prefer a quieter spot at Cloud9 NoStress in between your dance sessions, head upstairs so you can collect yourself and sit down for a bit. |
