North American cities with the best/most vibrant Chinatowns? (better, comparison, places)

[Backstrom]

When referring to Chinatowns, I am referring to the historical inner-city urban districts which were settled in by immigrants, not suburban "new" Chinatowns, i.e., Richmond BC, SGV in California...

Make your case and post pictures if desired. Don't come up with some BS list saying that 'X' chinatown is the best because it has so many more square blocks than 'Y' chinatown.

[PDX_LAX]

I've been to both NYC's and San Francisco's Chinatowns (considered the top 2). Honestly, I went to NYC at night and don't remember what it really looked like, but the food was great. San Francisco's Chinatown felt like being in another country. Nothing was in English and I couldn't believe I had been in my hotel only minutes earlier. Again, it had amazing food!

[nycricanpapi]

I would say NYC's chinatown is the best. There is a chinatown in Manhattan and Queens.

[OyCrumbler]

Definitely SF's. It's much more picturesque (though quite gawdy in places) and has much better food than New York's Chinatown.

Let me guess, nycrican, you've never been to the SF chinatown. Hell, maybe you've never been to any chinatown outside of NYC.

[Lancer78]

It has to be Manhattan's and SF's. I haven't been to the one in Flushing in recent years but I heard it has really been up and coming.

Manhattan's Chinatown is extremely impressive, very vibrant, and it feels, very, VERY Chinese with all those street vendors (including fake designer vendors)on those narrow, crowded, sidewalks, and streets just inundated with Chinese signs. Manhattan's Chinatown is definitely the most authentic Chinatown I know of by far...The grittiness, dirt, and smells makes it feel even more authentic. I didn't find Chicago's or even Philly's to be impressive in comparison.

I have never been to SF's.. From what I understand, SF's is physically larger (more blocks) but Manhattan's is denser, even more crowded, and more vibrant... likely dirtier too.. (so probably more like the real thing in that regard).

I'd be grateful if someone (who has been to both) were kind enough to post an informed, HONEST, AND UNBIASED comparison of Manhattan's vs SF Chinatowns... If you have some sort of agenda and are just looking for opportunities to belittle NYC/SF or are incapable of giving a balanced analysis, don't bother please. lol.

[mgt04]

NYC's Manhattan.....mostly all the legal chinese immigrants settled here in NYC in the early 1900's after coming through to Ellis Island? My grandparents came through here and settled in NYC for a while.

[jman650]

I've been to the Chinatowns in SF, Oakland, LA, Manhattan, Flushing, and DC. For me, none of the rest touch SF's. From the food selection to the look, feel and vibe, SF's is the best hands down IMO.

After that, for me the order is Manhattan, LA, Oakland, Flushing, then DC.

[18Montclair]

San Francisco is the best for tourists-by far.

But I would rather go to Oakland's Chinatown if I actually want to buy fresh produce, meat, etc. I also prefer the restaurants in Oakland.

[grapico]

SF feels like you walked into a different country, NYC, you still know you are in NYC. I've been to Chicago and Boston as well, they are cool but in a separate league.

[TANaples]

Growing up in Manhattan, I had been to Chinatown many times, but I had never really "been" to Chinatown until we went there with a man of Chinese ancestry who had grown up there. He took us to his neighborhood during the New Year's celebrations. We ate at a restaurant down a basement which had the best Chinese food I ever had. He took us to a bakery. We went to a temple where we lit a candle and said a prayer to our ancestors. We then watched the New Year's parade. My daughters were still young then and they both went into class the next day and gave speeches on their experiences.

It was a very, very nice day for all.