by Beverley Wilcock
Dreaming of experiencing China in all its glory, but your bank balance doesn't love the idea of cross-continental travel? Good news. Joburg's official (and largest!) Chinatown is in Cyrildene, and it's not a spot you want to overlook. The vivid colours, authentic flavours, and opportunities for cultural enrichment make these streets a pleasure to wander. Chinese New Year for 2026 begins on 17 February and celebrations typically run for about two weeks, so it's the perfect time to explore the lantern-lit shopfronts, eat your way through dumplings, and soak up the celebratory buzz without needing a passport. Keen on a look inside? Follow the fragrant aroma of freshly-chopped scallions and star anise...
A Little History
As in life, the only constant is change. Cyrildene Chinatown was born out of change. First-generation Chinese settlers arrived in Joburg in the early 2000s and made Cyrildene home. It's since grown into the bustling hub it is today; entering through the ornate “paifang” (pergola) in Derrick Avenue really does feel like you've just teleported to China.
Image source: Gauteng Tourism
So, What’s The Haps?
From the very first moment, your senses are spoiled for choice. The sights, sounds, and smells are almost hypnotic. The air carries hints of star anise and sizzling garlic, and every doorway seems to promise something delicious.
Let instinct lead you down Derrick Avenue, where food, drink, and curious little finds peek around each corner. Perhaps a massage calls you from a warmly lit parlour upstairs. But first, a pause. Iced coffee, or a fragrant tea. Our recommendation: bubble tea. Bright, sweet, and literally bursting with flavour.
A Burst Of Flavour
Locals and tourists alike have called Simplicity Coffee & Tea's bubble tea some of the best in Joburg. It's a Taiwanese establishment with a huge variety of bubble tea options, so if you’re struck by choice paralysis, don’t worry. You can either ask the friendly staff for a recommendation based on your favourite flavours, or try the traditional pearl green tea with milk. Don’t blink too fast or you’ll miss this tiny shop!
Spoiled For Choice: Restaurants
While enjoying the sights and sounds, Chinatown will cater for all your Asian foodie needs, and no one will be left hungry (or hangry). You’ll find traditional dim sum, hot pot, noodle dishes, seasonal desserts, and more dumplings than you ever knew existed. We’ve highlighted the three standouts, but there's much more to explore. You have to experience it all for yourself!
Shun De
Shun De is the go-to place for dim sum in Chinatown and, many would argue, in all of Joburg. People travel across the city for that unmistakable ritual: small dishes arriving in gentle procession, steam curling from bamboo baskets, porcelain lids lifted to reveal something delicate within.
Dim sum, for the uninitiated, is less a single dish than a way of eating. Bite-sized portions meant for sharing. Dumplings folded like little purses, buns soft as clouds, savoury morsels designed to be sampled slowly. At Shun De, the tables fill quickly, the tea flows freely, and before long, you find yourself pointing, tasting, and reaching for just one more plate.
Image source: Trip Advisor
Chong Qing Hot Pot
If you’re after a meal that feels like an occasion, Chong Qing Hot Pot is where you need to be. At the centre of each table sits a pot of gently bubbling broth, ready for thinly sliced meats, fresh vegetables, and noodles to be cooked just the way you like them.
Hot Pot lends to a slow, companionable way of eating. You cook as you talk, and the broth grows deeper with every passing minute. Steam curls upward, glasses are refilled, and somewhere between the first dip and the last, the afternoon slips by unnoticed.
Mongkok Restaurant
At Mongkok, you’ll find Peking duck, glossy stir-fries, chow mein, and a generous parade of Cantonese classics. The duck arrives burnished and fragrant, its skin crackling softly beneath your knife. Steam rises from bowls of hand-cut noodles, and dishes are passed from hand to hand, even though you're not entirely convinced you're okay with sharing.
Words don't do these dishes justice. Come hungry and let the table fill itself.
Image source: Mongkok Uber Eats
Shop Till You Drop
The shopping options in Chinatown are endless, too. You'll find fresh veggies, exotic fruit, trinkets, traditional Chinese medicine, and plenty of clothing stores.
We never leave without browsing the aisles of C.J. Supermarket, filling our trolleys with ingredients (and snacks!) you can't find anywhere else. Every type of noodle, unique sauces, and traditional biscuits are just the start. Somewhere at the back, as though you've stepped through the cupboard into Narnia, you’ll also find a section for Korean goods, and freezers filled with frozen dumplings, scallion pancakes, and everything you could ever need to cook up an authentic Chinese meal at home.
Image source: Google Maps
One Last Pitstop
Exhausted from all the walking and shopping, but still have a little money left over? Likely so, because Chinatown is so well priced. This last stop is perfect for achy bodies and weary feet. At Fresha, you can choose between traditional and western-style massages, cupping, and even acupuncture. Visit the website for more information or to book your session.
Culture And Festivities
We'd be remiss to forget about Chinatown’s vibrant festival scene. The streets of Chinatown often come alive with a festival of lights, decorations, music, and dance during periods of cultural celebration.
Celebrate Chinese New Year at the annual street festival on 28 February 2026! The streets of Cyrildene will celebrate the year of the horse with dragon and lion dances, a Chinese costume parade, and plenty of traditional food. Entry is free.
A Final Few FYIs
Parking on Derrick Avenue is limited. Make sure you know where to park so you don’t end up in a “you can’t park there!” situation (if you know, you know).
Many of the shops and restaurants don’t take cards, so bring cash with you, just in case. It can get very busy over weekends, so restaurant bookings are essential. Especially true if you're going for dim sum!
Image source: The Heritage Portal
