The Chinatown is located in Belgrano, a few meters from the Barrancas de Belgrano, and is an oriental oasis in Buenos Aires where both locals and tourists are immersed in the culture, flavors, and Asian products. Here you can find everything in a few blocks: from Chinese supermarkets to Asian gastronomic gems.
If you haven’t been there for a long time, you should know that Pasaje Echeverría, right next to the tracks, is nowadays a fundamental Asian gastronomic pole in the life of any ramen and Asian food lover in general.
In Pasaje Echeverría there is always a lot of movement, its offer of places to eat standing up, sit down, have breakfast or have a snack is very large and the nights are always full of music and experiences that you would never say they were there.
Maybe you already know Chinatown, but the truth is that new corners are always emerging with surprising things that sometimes go unnoticed. We propose this tour through Chinatown and Pasaje Echeverría for you to discover those secret corners that need to go slowly to find them.
Where to start a tour of Chinatown?
The first thing we recommend is to observe the entrance arch to Chinatown, and the sculptures that guard its columns. If you like to get up early, we recommend going around 11 am and start touring the bazaars. At that time there are usually not as many people as in the afternoons.
Tour of the bazaars in Chinatown
Next to one of the columns of the entrance arch to Chinatown, on the corner of arribeños and juramento, you will find the first bazaar and continue for a block.
In the bazaars of Chinatown there is everything: from socks, T-shirts, ornaments, stuffed animals, and an endless number of objects that you didn’t even know existed but once you discover them in these bazaars, you start to think that you need them. It is worth visiting at least two of them to discover a world of small and large objects that you will want to have.
An Asian evening at home or how to bring Asia into your home
If you need a bit of balance and you like oriental decoration, you have to visit two must-sees in Chinatown: Feng Shui store and Casa China.
In both stores in Chinatown you will find, on the one hand, typical decoration (lamps, beautiful and delicate objects that scream Chinese) and on the other hand, fresh Asian seafood, fish, vegetables and groceries. Visiting both places you have everything you need for an Asian night at home, treat yourself or prepare a special dinner with company.
If you also want to try Asian sweets and see the wide variety of sweets and snacks in Chinatown, the place to go is the Supermercado Asia Oriental. The ideal place for the curious.
Where to eat in Chinatown?
It’s probably already midday. Fortunately, if there is anything in Chinatown there are plenty of places to eat. The gastronomic offer is huge, both in terms of food on the go and places where you can sit down to eat. In addition to the Chinese places, there are also Korean and Japanese places where you can try the best dishes of each culture, and at different prices, which means that there are options for all tastes and budgets.
Food on the go
If what you are looking for is only food on the go, we recommend Arribeños 2320, (located next to another classic, El Cisne Blanco, a place to sit and eat). Here you can’t miss the fried shrimp, fried chicken with sweet and sour sauce, shrimp meatballs or octopus.
Another option to eat on the go is Lai Lai, also on Arribeños street, where you have typical dishes to eat on the go or, if there is room, sit down to eat inside the restaurant.
If you like Korean culture and K-pop, a must-visit place is Puppo, where you can’t miss the Hattogus (Korean hot dogs, which come on a stick and are gigantic). The place is usually full of K-pop fans lining up for these street delicacies.
Where to sit and eat in Chinatown?
If you are looking for a lunch at the table, a place to look good for a date, whether it is someone you are getting to know or your partner of years, we recommend you to try the food at China Rose: excellent Chinese dishes, in a warm atmosphere, to let yourself go and travel through the Chinese culinary world in the heart of Buenos Aires.
Another Asian option, in this case Japanese food, is Fujisan, a restaurant declared of cultural interest by the Buenos Aires Legislature, where you can try Harumaki, Gyoza (Japanese ravioli), Misoshiru (typical Japanese soup) as appetizers, and then dive into the delicacies and specialties of this restaurant. Ideal to go as a couple, with friends or to treat yourself.
Another worthwhile option in Asian food, also Japanese in the middle of Chinatown is Nobiru Izakaya, right on the corner of Mendoza and Montañeses streets. It has ample space, where you can eat outdoors or indoors, ramen, sushi, and desserts all exquisite, an option that will also leave you very well with whom you want to entertain.
Snacking in Chinatown
After browsing bazaars and eating, if you still want to browse a little more, it will surely be time for tea, the perfect excuse to think about having a snack and try what many people go to Chinatown for: bubble tea . You have the classic, Oh! Tea, in Montañeses street corner Juramento, Orizuru, in Mendoza 1605, or on Mendoza street 1605, Snack Station where besides tasting any variety of bubble tea, there are also sweets and drinks.
Touring Pasaje Echeverría: a little secret on the train tracks
There is a fundamental part of this tour that you cannot miss: next to the train tracks is the Pasaje Echeverría, a small pedestrian street that is a bubble within the neighborhood itself and where you will be able to taste food on the go, enjoy drinks and a lot of vibes.
It is a very small but charming place, so whatever you eat you will probably eat on the street, standing or sitting down, although there are many places that have their tables.
Since the first place was installed, the word of mouth did not stop and today it is a place that every weekend is one of the great places in Buenos Aires where to go to make weekend plans.
Over time, several gastronomic businesses joined the Pasaje Echeverría movement: Morro Café (specialty coffee and pastries), Bastardo: Decorated with urban art, you will find street food, falafel and fried chicken, La Chintonería (the porteño version of La Gintonería), Pony Pizza (sourdough pizzas and many vegan options).
There are obviously more places, but two not to be missed: Orei, a place where you will see that Ramen dishes are constantly coming out and Sando de America, a Sandwicheria that fuses the best of Latin America with the best of Asia.
Here there is always something new to discover because if there is a neighborhood that is always changing and adding secrets is Chinatown. Take an afternoon, and why not a day, to discover this secret guide to Chinatown and Echeverria Passage. You will never regret it!
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