Not recommended for claustrophobic types, this packed-to-the-gills housewares and gift shop has a mind-boggling (and slightly chaotic) array of goods. There’s a wall of beaded bracelets ($9.99 each); there are paper lanterns ($5.99) and towering stacks of pots and pans. Buried in the back, electronic lotus flowers ($29.99) light up in different hues and emanate bizarre chant-like music; you’ll also find giant, stuffed Pokemon creatures. But amid all the clutter, there is a goldmine for adorable kitchen goods. To the right of the entrance, an aisle stacked with dishes has rice bowls decked with smiling, baby-blue puppies or smug-looking pink cats ($3.99). There are also richly patterned tea sets ($29.99) and fish-shaped platters decked in floral prints ($8.99.)
When you think of stores in Chinatown, your mind probably goes to touristy trinket shops. There are plenty of those, but some sleeker, more high-end shops like jewelry stores have been cropping up lately, making Chinatown more than just a destination for Chinese food, bubble tea and karaoke. Of course, Chinatown still remains a great place for candy and cheap, unique gifts—but now your options extend beyond waving-cat clocks.
RECOMMENDED: Our complete guide to Chinatown