Chinatown Dubai Mall is a themed dining area in Dubai Mall. Many people hear about Chinatown but struggle to find it inside the massive mall or understand what it actually offers.
Dubai Mall is huge, and first time visitors often walk around for a long time trying to locate the area or choose the right restaurant.
After visiting this several times while exploring Dubai Mall restaurants, I noticed that many guides miss practical details like the exact location, what food is worth trying, and whether it is worth visiting.
This guide explains everything clearly, so you know what to expect before going to Chinatown in Dubai Mall.
Key Takeaways
- Location: Level 1 near Dubai Ice Rink and Reel Cinemas
- Main Attraction: The district focuses mainly on Chinese and Asian restaurants
- Popular Restaurants: Haidilao Hot Pot, Ying Ji Dim Sum, Hawker Chan, and Lanzhou
- Food to Try: Visitors often come for hot pot, dim sum, hand pulled noodles, sushi, and bubble tea
- Price Range: Most meals cost between 35 AED and 150 AED, depending on the restaurant
- Asian Supermarket: HIPPOBOX sells imported Asian groceries, snacks, and cooking ingredients
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday afternoons or evenings are usually less crowded
- Area Size: Chinatown covers about 70,000 square feet of dining and retail space
What Is Chinatown Dubai Mall?
Chinatown Dubai Mall is a Chinese themed district located in Dubai Mall. The district started opening to visitors in late 2022, with more restaurants and businesses launching during 2023. The concept focuses on authentic Chinese food, Asian restaurants, and specialty shops.
The design takes inspiration from traditional Chinese street markets. Red lanterns hang from the ceiling.
Decorative gates, neon signs, and panda statues add visual detail to the area. This design makes the area feel like a modern Asian street.
The entire district covers around 70,000 square feet of dining and retail space. This area includes restaurants, specialty stores, wellness centres, and grocery shops.
The main attraction of Chinatown Dubai Mall is food. The area includes well known Chinese and Asian restaurant brands.
Many of them are popular across Asia and bring authentic recipes to Dubai. You can try dim sum, hand pulled noodles, hot pot meals, dumplings, and bubble tea.
Along with restaurants, Chinatown also includes retail stores, wellness centres, and an Asian supermarket. This mix of food and shopping makes the district different from a standard mall food court.
Where Is Chinatown in Dubai Mall?
Chinatown is located on Level 1 in Dubai Mall. The area is located close to the Dubai Ice Rink and the Reel Cinemas.
Many people use the cinema or ice rink area as a landmark while searching for Chinatown. Once you reach Level 1, signs inside the mall guide visitors toward the district.
The location also sits within walking distance of major attractions such as Dubai Aquarium and Burj Khalifa.
The location works well for people who plan a full day at Dubai Mall. After visiting the aquarium, cinema, or ice rink, people often stop in Chinatown for lunch or dinner.
How To Reach Chinatown Dubai Mall?
You can reach the mall by metro, taxi, private car, or ride apps.
The closest metro station is Dubai Metro Red Line at Burj Khalifa Dubai Mall Metro Station.
From the station, a covered walkway connects directly to the mall. The walk usually takes around 10 to 12 minutes.
Taxi services and ride apps like Careem and Uber also drop visitors near the main mall entrances.
Drivers can park in the cinema parking area. From there, Level 1 provides quick access to Chinatown. Mall parking includes more than 14,000 spaces across several zones.
Families visiting attractions like the aquarium, cinema, or ice rink often use this parking area because it provides convenient access to both entertainment venues and restaurants in Chinatown.
Opening and Closing Hours of Chinatown Dubai Mall
Chinatown follows the general operating hours of Dubai Mall.
- Sunday to Wednesday
10:00 AM to 11:00 PM - Thursday to Saturday
10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Restaurant hours may vary slightly. Many restaurants stay open later than the retail stores, especially during weekends and public holidays.
Restaurants in Chinatown Dubai Mall
Food is the main reason people visit Chinatown Dubai Mall. The district brings together Chinese, Singaporean, and Asian restaurants. Each restaurant focuses on a different cuisine style.
Dubai residents, international tourists, and food lovers often explore several restaurants in one visit to experience different Asian dishes and dining styles.
Haidilao Hot Pot
Haidilao Hot Pot is one of the most famous restaurants in Chinatown Dubai Mall. The brand started in China and now operates in many countries.
Haidilao specializes in hot pot dining. Guests cook sliced meat, seafood, vegetables, and noodles in a simmering soup broth placed at the center of the table. Popular broth choices include spicy Sichuan broth and mushroom broth.
Meals here usually cost between 90 and 150 AED per person, depending on ingredients.
This restaurant is particularly popular with groups and families who enjoy sharing hot pot meals together.
Ying Ji Dim Sum
Ying Ji Dim Sum focuses on Cantonese dim sum dishes. These are small plates traditionally served in bamboo steamers.
Many diners order shrimp dumplings, steamed buns, rice rolls, and siu mai dumplings. Dim sum meals are light but flavorful, making them popular for lunch.
Average meal prices range from 40 to 80 AED per person.
Dim sum restaurants like this are popular among residents who enjoy traditional Cantonese cuisine.
Hawker Chan
Hawker Chan became internationally known after receiving a Michelin star for its soy sauce chicken rice.
The menu stays simple and affordable. Signature dishes include roasted chicken rice, char siu pork, and noodle plates. Many customers visit because the restaurant offers high quality food at reasonable prices.
Meals usually cost around 35 to 60 AED.
This restaurant attracts families who want to try famous Asian street food dishes.
Lanzhou Beef Noodle
Lanzhou Beef Noodle prepares traditional Lanzhou style noodles. Chefs stretch and pull the noodles by hand before cooking them.
The main dish is beef noodle soup with slow cooked broth, tender beef slices, and fresh herbs. Families who enjoy noodle dishes often consider this one of the most authentic options in the area.
Typical meals cost around 40 to 70 AED.
Food enthusiasts often visit this restaurant specifically for its handmade noodle preparation.
Golden Joy Express
Golden Joy Express offers quick Chinese meals such as fried rice, noodles, dumplings, and stir fried dishes.
Popular dishes include chicken fried rice, vegetable noodles, dumplings, and sweet and sour chicken.
Portions are simple and filling, which makes this restaurant a convenient stop for people who want a quick meal during a shopping break.
Tourists exploring Dubai Mall often choose Golden Joy Express when they want affordable Chinese food without waiting for a full restaurant experience.
Most dishes usually cost between 30 and 60 AED, which makes it one of the more affordable dining options in Chinatown Dubai Mall.
KOI The
KOI The is known for Taiwanese bubble tea drinks. The drinks combine milk tea with chewy tapioca pearls and flavored syrups.
Popular drinks include brown sugar milk tea, taro milk tea, and classic bubble tea with tapioca pearls.
Many people stop here after eating at nearby restaurants or while walking through the Chinatown area.
The colorful drinks and modern store design make it a popular stop for younger visitors and social media users who enjoy photographing food and drinks.
Bubble tea drinks usually cost 25 to 35 AED.
Sushi Joy Express
Sushi Joy Express serves quick sushi meals in Chinatown Dubai Mall. The menu includes sushi rolls, sashimi, rice bowls, and small Japanese side dishes.
Many diners often order classic sushi rolls such as salmon rolls, California rolls, and tuna rolls. The restaurant focuses on quick service, which makes it a convenient option for visitors who want sushi without a long dining experience.
Tourists walking through Chinatown often stop here for a light meal, while residents sometimes visit for casual sushi dinners during mall visits.
Most dishes usually range between 35 and 70 AED.
Jin Yi
Jin Yi serves traditional Chinese comfort food such as dumplings, noodles, stir fried dishes, and rice meals. The restaurant focuses on familiar Chinese flavors and generous portions.
Popular menu items include dumplings, noodle soups, stir fried beef dishes, and fried rice plates.
These dishes attract both tourists who want to try Chinese cuisine and residents who enjoy classic Chinese meals.
Many families choose Jin Yi for casual dining because the menu offers a wide range of dishes suitable for both individuals and groups.
Meals usually cost between 40 and 80 AED, depending on the dish.
Shops in Chinatown Dubai Mall
Retail stores in Chinatown focus on technology, art, and Asian products. Along with restaurants, these shops give visitors a chance to explore Asian retail brands and specialty items that are not common in other parts of the mall.
ftNFT
ftNFT is a digital art gallery connected to the world of NFTs and digital collectables. People explore digital artworks displayed on large screens and interactive displays inside the gallery.
The gallery also sells digital art pieces through blockchain technology.
People interested in digital art, crypto based collectibles, and modern art experiences often stop here to learn how NFT artworks are created and traded.
Xiaomi
Xiaomi sells smartphones, smart home devices, and gadgets. The brand is well known for offering advanced technology at competitive prices.
Many shoppers come here to explore smart watches, wireless earbuds, and home automation devices such as smart lights, security cameras, and smart vacuum cleaners.
Many customers also visit the store to test the latest Xiaomi smartphones before buying.
Mi Store
The Mi Store offers a full range of Xiaomi products. These include smartphones, tablets, fitness bands, and smart home accessories.
The store focuses on the Xiaomi ecosystem and connected devices.
People who already use Xiaomi products often come here to buy accessories, upgrade devices, or explore smart home products that can connect with their existing Xiaomi devices.
Mumuso
Mumuso is an Asian lifestyle store that sells affordable everyday items such as home accessories, beauty products, stationery, gadgets, and phone accessories.
Shoppers often browse this store while exploring the Chinatown retail area. The shop is popular for small gift items, travel accessories, and beauty products inspired by Asian retail trends.
Spas and Wellness Centres in Chinatown in Dubai Mall
Currently, two wellness centres operate in Chinatown Dubai Mall. These businesses focus on massage therapy and relaxation treatments inspired by Asian wellness traditions.
Yinyang Connection Platinum
Yinyang Connection Platinum provides Chinese style massage therapy. The treatments focus on muscle relaxation and stress relief.
You can choose full body massages, reflexology sessions, and relaxation therapies.
Reflexology treatments focus on pressure points in the feet that are believed to help relieve tension and improve circulation.
Bodhi Thai Massage Center
Bodhi Thai Massage Center offers traditional Thai massage techniques. These treatments combine stretching with pressure point therapy.
Sessions usually last between 60 and 90 minutes, and therapists use traditional Thai massage techniques that involve assisted stretching and muscle pressure to help relieve body tension.
Many people choose this spa after a long day of shopping or sightseeing in Dubai Mall.
Chinatown Dubai Mall Supermarket
HIPPOBOX is the main supermarket in Chinatown Dubai Mall. The store focuses on Asian groceries and imported ingredients.
You can find Chinese noodles, Japanese snacks, Korean sauces, frozen dumplings, and specialty drinks. Many items are imported directly from Asian countries.
Residents living in Dubai often visit this supermarket to buy authentic ingredients for Asian cooking.
Best Time To Visit Chinatown in Dubai Mall
Weekday afternoons provide the most relaxed experience. Restaurants are less crowded, and you can explore the district at a slower pace.
Evenings bring a livelier atmosphere. Many people arrive after work or after visiting nearby attractions such as the aquarium or cinema.
Weekend evenings are usually the busiest period. Lines may form at popular restaurants.
Many families also visit Chinatown in the evening after visiting attractions like the aquarium or ice rink.
Chinatown Dubai Mall vs International City
International City Dubai contains a long established Chinese community with traditional restaurants and supermarkets.
International City offers a more local neighborhood experience. Many Chinese residents live and work there. Prices also tend to be lower compared to Dubai Mall.
Chinatown Dubai Mall focuses more on tourism and shopping visitors. The location in Dubai Mall makes it easier for tourists to access.
Both areas offer authentic Chinese food, but they serve different purposes.
Is Chinatown Dubai Mall Worth Visiting?
Chinatown Dubai Mall offers a unique cultural space inside one of the largest malls in the world. The combination of Asian restaurants, themed design, and specialty stores creates a different atmosphere from the rest of the mall.
Visitors who enjoy Chinese food or Asian street style dining usually find the experience enjoyable. The district also gives travelers the chance to try several Asian dishes in one location.
For tourists exploring Downtown Dubai or residents searching for Chinese restaurants in Dubai Mall, Chinatown offers a convenient place to experience Asian cuisine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What floor is Chinatown in Dubai Mall?
Chinatown Dubai Mall is located on Level 1 near Dubai Ice Rink and Reel Cinemas.
Does Chinatown Dubai Mall have hot pot restaurants?
Yes. Haidilao Hot Pot and Nine Squares Restaurant both specialize in hot pot dining.
Is Chinatown Dubai Mall expensive?
Prices remain similar to other Dubai Mall restaurants. Most meals range between 35 and 150 AED, depending on the restaurant.
Can families visit Chinatown Dubai Mall?
Yes. The area is family friendly and many restaurants provide large tables suitable for groups.
Final Words
Chinatown Dubai Mall offers a different dining atmosphere in Dubai Mall with Chinese restaurants, Asian street food, and themed decor.
From my visits, the main highlight is the food, especially restaurants like Haidilao Hot Pot and the noodle and dim sum spots in the district.
If you are already visiting Dubai Mall, Chinatown is an easy stop where you can try authentic Asian dishes without leaving the mall.
