Known as one of the most iconic neighborhoods in New York City, you may be familiar with Chinatown’s colorful selection of affordable eats that pop up on your for you page. But, do you know about the affordable selection of health care services Chinatown has to offer as well? On a warm and sunny afternoon, our team at Womanly ventured out to put together this guide for your reference next time you’re in search of healthcare and local culture.
First, you’ll want to stop at either Apicha Community Health Center or Charles B. Wang Community Health Center for their reasonably priced and culturally competent health care services.
Apicha Community Health Center
Apicha Community Health Center is a full spectrum primary care clinic ranging from support services to insurance navigation, SNAP assistance, free HIV/STI testing, gender-affirming care services, and more. First founded in 1989 as a grassroots movement at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Apicha was created to address and advocate for unmet HIV/AIDs-related needs. Since then, Apicha has evolved into a federally qualified health center.
Charles B. Wang Community Health Center
Just down the block is Charles B. Wang Community Health Center (CHC), another culturally competent clinic offering a wide range of services regardless of your insurance or income status, and they’re open seven days a week.
Founded in 1971, Charles B. Wang CHC (first known as the Chinatown Health Clinic) began the very first Chinatown Health Fair with help from a group of volunteers. The Health Fair offered health education and screenings to medically underserved Chinese communities in New York City. That same year, due to the tremendous community response, they opened up their doors. They welcomed all into their clinic, run entirely by volunteer doctors, nurses, social workers, community health workers, and students.
Known and loved by many in the Chinatown community, Charles B. Wang CHC now has six sites in Lower Manhattan and Flushing, Queens.
Scroll down for location information on both centers.
Spongies Cafe
After your appointment, of course you deserve a sweet treat! Just a five minute walk away from Charles B. Wang is the iconic Spongies Cafe - a neighborhood staple with delicious sponge cakes and drinks. They have an amazing selection to choose from which can make it hard to decide which flavor to choose. Good news for the indecisive — they’re priced at $1.50 each, making it easier to try them all if you want.
Spongies Cafe opened their doors on November 20th, 2020, but there’s a rich history on how the delicious sponge cakes found a home in the heart of Manhattan’s Chinatown.
At 14 years old, owner Fernando Ponce came to the United States alone from Mexico, first working at a Jewish bakery in Sunset Park. He began training alongside the original Kam Hing’s founder, Mr. Tsang — not to be confused with the Kam Hing currently across the street — just two years later. Fernando soon became one of Mr. Tsang’s most trusted bakers, learning alongside Mr. Tsang, who Ponce refers to as “xi fu”, which is Cantonese for “master.” During his time at Kam Hing, he learned the art of making sponge cakes, the similarities between Hong Kong-style sponge cakes and Mexican-style sponge cakes (mamón), and even became fluent in Cantonese!
After working at Kam Hing for almost 30 years, Fernando decided to open Spongies Cafe with the encouragement and blessing from Mr. Tsang. Now a neighborhood staple for many, you can find Fernando, his wife Sasinee, their son CJ, and many more friendly faces ready to serve you decadent sponge cakes in the heart of Chinatown.
Mulberry Street
On the way to our next destination we couldn’t help but stop by the vibrant fruit stands on Mulberry street. Make sure to bring cash and a tote bag or two with you to grab affordable, delicious fruit!
Yu & Me Books
Just a couple blocks down on Mulberry Street, you’ll find the beloved Yu & Me Bookstore nestled in front of Columbus Park. Yu & Me offers a wide selection of books, stationary items, trinkets, and drinks at their café and bar. Founded by Lucy Yu, the initials of the bookstore - YM - reflect her mother’s initials. This tribute is what inspires Yu & Me “stories and love in different languages that have been passed down for generations.”
The selection of books focuses on uplifting immigrant stories through promoting Asian, Asian-American, and writers of color. Created with the intent to, “dream together, share our passion, strive for change, and push systems closer to justice,” — stop by the store and stay awhile to immerse yourself in a safe, community space for all to enjoy.
Jin Mei Dumpling
We ended our journey through Chinatown at Jin Mei Dumpling, where you can grab 15 dumplings for $5. It’s true. The no-frills joint operates efficiently and the results are consistently delicious. You’ll order at the window where you’ll see fresh dumplings being hand-made and served fresh. We ordered their well-known pan-fried pork dumplings, but they have an extensive menu of many items to try such as sesame pancakes, noodles, porridge, and more. The pan-fried dumplings have a perfectly crispy bottom and chewy exterior, with a juicy, warm pork and chive filling. These kept us full the rest of the way home!
Although there are many hidden gems in Chinatown you’ll stumble upon, we hope this guide is helpful for you to reference as you navigate your way through the neighborhood’s rich history. We’d also like to extend our thanks to the communities that keep Chinatown vibrant.
Apicha Community Health Center Locations:
Lower Manhattan:
400 Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Mon-Fri 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Jackson Heights, Queens:
82-11 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Mon-Fri 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Late night, free HIV/STI testing until 7:00 pm
Charles B. Wang Community Health Center Locations:
Lower Manhattan:
286 Canal Street New York, NY 10013
Mon-Sun 9:00 -6:00 pm
Services: Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mental Health, Social Work
125 Walker Street, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10013
Mon-Sun 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Services: Pediatrics, Dental Care, Primary Eye Care, Social Work
168 Centre Street, 3M Floor, New York, NY 10013
Mon-Fri 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Services: Health Education
Flushing, Queens:
136-26 37th Avenue Flushing, NY 11354
Mon-Sun 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Services: Pediatrics, Mental Health, Social Work
137-43 45th Avenue Flushing, NY 11355
Mon-Sun 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Services: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Social Work
