Our latest picture book release, Ten Blocks to the Big Wok by Ying-Hwa Hu, takes readers on an exciting tour of Chinatown. As Mia and Uncle Eddie walk to the Big Wok restaurant, their journey is filled with all sorts of sights that embody Chinese culture, while also teaching the reader how to count in Chinese!
Did you know that there are a TON of Chinatowns around the world, including the United States? Each of these cultural epicenters bring joy and community to those who live in them and to those who visit them! Today, we’re going to be sharing a few of the places you can visit in Chinatowns all across the United States—just like Mia!
Yi (one)…er (two)…san(three)…let’s go!
New York City, NY
Columbus Park – Here, you can find all sorts of activities going on! From table top games to tai chi and fortunate tellers, there’s plenty to see and do during your walk through the park. Maybe you can even join the locals in some tai chi, just as Mia does!
Hong Kong Supermarket – At Hong Kong Supermarket, you can find all sorts of Asian ingredients, snacks, and cuisines! Maybe you’ll even find some bundles of sweet Emperor lychee, just like Mia does in Ten Blocks to the Big Wok!
Philadelphia, PA
KC Pastries – Looking to try some delicious sweets and delectable Chinese pastries? KC Pastries has that and more—including the egg tarts that Mia eats when she reaches the Big Wok!
Jade and Art Jewelry Gift Shop – You can find the same fortune cats that Mia encounters at Jade and Art Jewelry Gift Shop! Plus, other fascinating items like jade bracelets, a variety of statues and figurines, and beautiful red lanterns.
Chicago, IL
Chinatown Square – Here, you can discover statues of all twelve of the Chinese zodiac signs! While the lion statue Mia visits is not a zodiac animal, we’re sure she’d appreciate visiting all of these statues. The twelve zodiac animals are the rooster, the dog, the pig, the rat, the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the goat, and the monkey! Which of these animals is your favorite?
Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings – Dumplings are just one of the many foods that Mia gets to chow down on in Ten Blocks to the Big Wok. At Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings, you can try different types of this delectable food! Lamb and coriander dumplings, beef and onion, pork and cabbage, chicken and mushroom, egg and tomato, and more!
San Francisco, CA
Royaltea USA – Did you notice that while Mia makes her way to the Big Wok with Uncle Eddie, they pass a boba tea shop? A classic boba tea drink consists of black tea, milk, ice and tapioca pearls! The pearls are chewy and sit at the bottom of the drink so you can slurp them up with the big straw that comes with it! At Royaltea USA in San Francisco, you can try boba tea yourself in the classic flavors, and many others — like mango or peach!
Magical Ice Cream – At the end of Ten Blocks to the Big Wok, Mia is hoping for some ice cream after their delicious meal at the Big Wok! In San Francisco’s Chinatown, you can visit Magical Ice Cream to try their specialty—Thai rolled ice cream! They have a ton of flavors to try, like lychee, strawberry, chocolate, green tea, taro, mango, and more!
Of course, there’s so much more to visit in each of these city’s Chinatowns. Many of them offer cultural and historical sites to see like the Chinese American Museum of Chicago. And these aren’t the only cities that have Chinatowns. There are so many in the United States that you can probably find one near you!
You can actively expand your knowledge about Chinese culture and others the same way Mia does—by exploring! Find out what’s around you, read books, and continue to learn and grow. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your own animal companion like Mia does along the way!
Further reading:
New Release: Ten Blocks to the Big Wok
What is Chinese New Year?
5 Children’s Books to Celebrate Lunar New Year