Philly’s Chinatown is a great destination no matter the time of day, but many of its delights stay open long into the evening. So, hop on the Market–Frankford line, hop off at 11th, and head to 10th and Arch to be in the thick of it. It’s time for a treat.
Stay on 10th and walk up to Race Street for dinner at Chinatown landmark David’s Mai Lai Wah (1001 Race Street). David’s is perfect for both those unfamiliar with Chinese cuisine and those who know their way through a good Sichuan hotpot. David’s serves up good, greasy American–style (and Chinese–style!) Chinese food, from General Tso’s to Mapo Tofu. However, it's fried dumplings ($5.50), served with a ginger dressing, which separate David’s from the rest of the pack. Pick up some of these delicious morsels alongside a plate of gooey, crunchy chao mian ($7.95) or salt and pepper wings ($6.50). You won’t be disappointed, although do note that during peak hours (the early evening and the late, late night) the service can significantly slow down. Will Smith once dined with David himself, so the wait must be worth it.
After dinner, head west on Race to Hop Sing Laundromat (1029 Race Street), located behind a nondescript door with a buzzer next to it. Ring the buzzer, but be warned—the bar maintains a strict dress code. Don’t wear sneakers, sandals, shorts or a hoodie and you should be fine. Inside you’ll find a finely crafted (if somewhat precious and pretentious) experience crafted by the proprietor, Mr. Lee, who may even open the door and appraise your outfit himself. The cocktails on the menu are nothing short of amazing, made with liquor significantly above the top shelf Smirnoff and Jack to which Penn students are accustomed. Most drinks run between $12 and $14, and the bar is cash–only, so come prepared. Try the Saigon Flip ($14), a delicious, creamy concoction of rum, condensed milk and egg yolk finished with club soda. For a sweeter, more decadent option, try the Boston Healer ($12), which consists of espresso, whiskey and cream, among other ingredients. Mr. Lee crafts everything at Hop Sing himself, so every cocktail is worth a try and brings something different to the table.
Finally, walk back down 10th towards Arch and stop by Tea–Do (132 N. 10th Street), arguably the best bubble tea place on the street. Tea–Do serves up both hot and cold bubble tea, along with a slew of different apps. If you’re in the mood for a snack, try the onigiri ($2.50) or the takoyaki (octopus balls, $3.50), both authentic and perfectly portioned for an afternoon pit stop. Of course, Tea–Do’s bubble tea deserves far more attention: each cup, regardless of style, is made to order. Flavors range from the winter–friendly hot Japanese matcha ($3) to the Fire Dragon ($3), a cold drink made with red bean, milk, grass jelly and tapioca. If you’re drunk, sip your bubble tea and play a few rounds of Jenga. If you’re sober, sip your bubble tea and play a few rounds of Jenga. Most importantly, just don’t leave Tea–Do without playing Jenga, no matter what time of day. The childlike wonder of watching blocks tumble down will never get old.
