Chinatown & Chinese Cookware

Whenever I'm in Chinatown I tend to be more focused on eating than cooking so I've never noticed stores that have a cook selection of cooking implements for good prices. I'm looking to buy some basics - a decent wok, a strainer (one of the metal web types), cooking chopsticks, nabe/sand pots, etc. What store would you recommend?

Many thanks,

rien

BONUS QUESTION: A different topic, but I was trying to find posts on Chinese Bakeries, specifically about desserts, buns with red beans, etc. Does anyone know of these threads? Or, claim that any of the bakeries are superior to any others? Again, many thanks.

Hi,

Chicago Food Corp is one place I would certainly explore.

In Chinatown, there are many shops. There is a hardware store near Seven Treasures, which I have found things like moon cake moulds. Yes, I bought the mould, I have never made a mooncake in my life. They also sell some interesting vegetable cutting tools. Sometimes I acquire things because someday I may need one ...

Chicago Food Corp.
3333 N. Kimball Ave.
Chicago, IL
(773) 478-5566

rien wrote:Whenever I'm in Chinatown I tend to be more focused on eating than cooking so I've never noticed stores that have a cook selection of cooking implements for good prices. I'm looking to buy some basics - a decent wok, a strainer (one of the metal web types), cooking chopsticks, nabe/sand pots, etc. What store would you recommend?.

For Asian cook-ware (and just about anything else, including REAL GEODUCKS) go to 5Con, just off the Pulaski exit at I-55. It is the "Asian Warehouse Club" and you will find cookware at like 30% of C-Town prices.

trent


Five Continents Ltd.
4000 W. 40th St.
Chicago, IL. 60632
(773) 927-0100

I don't have buns filled with red bean paste on a regular basis, so I don't know off hand which bakery does this the best. In general, our family prefers St. Anna in Chinatown Square and if you have a car, the bakery in Richwell Market at 1835 S Canal St. I love the egg tarts at Richwell, especially the Portuguese variety. Their crust is just perfect for my taste - it's flaky, but not dry flaky. St. Anna's egg tart crust are not flaky but more cookie like & crisp for lack of a better description. St. Anna's paper wrapped sponge cake is hands down the best - it stays soft and moist for days, whereas the other bakeries often get stale and dry quickly. In fact St. Anna's cakes are the best in terms of moistness and freshness: white chocolate layered white cake, strawberries and fresh cream roll cake, birthday cakes, etc!

If you go to Chiu Quon, I really prefer their location on Argyle to the one on Wentworth. I've always had better luck with freshness at the Argyle location. IMHO, I think the quality and selection has gone downhill at the Captain bakery.

Rein,

You've gotten some great suggestions, Chicago Food Corp, 5-Continents, though specifically in Chinatown I have always liked the hardware store on Wentworth, which is now called Woks N Things.

We were in Chinatown on Sunday for a dim sum celebration of a nieces birthday, her and her sister always celebrate with dim sum, which I take a bit of pride in, since I introduced them to dim sum.

After lunch we wandered over to the Tea Leaf Cafe, one of the older nieces favorite spots in Chinatown, for bubble tea and I noticed a new hardware/cookware store. In fact, I bought a new wok spatula. I did not note the exact name and address, but it's located one door East of the Tea Leaf cafe. The Tea Leaf Cafe's address is slightly deceptive it's listed on Wentworth, but it's actually a few doors West of Wentworth on 23rd Place.

Speaking of Tea Leaf Cafe, it seems to be the 'happening' spot for the 18-25 year old Chinatown crowd,

As far as red bean buns, I agree with Pucca, St Ann in Chinatown Sq, Chiu Quon, with a preference to the Argyle St location and Richwell Mkt on 18th and Canal.

Enjoy,
Gary

Woks 'N' Things Inc
(312) 842-0701
2234 S Wentworth Ave
Chicago, IL 60616

Tea Leaf Cafe
(312) 808-3668
2336 S Wentworth Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
Actually on 23rd Place

Many thanks for the suggestions. I was OD'ing on food experiences in NYC for the last few days so I've been unable to take advantage. However, I'll be treking down to Chinatown for a cookware hunt this weekend and will report back if I unearth anything of particular interest.

Sincerely,

rien