Quick Answers
Po Wing Hong Food Market (寶榮行) is a historic, family-owned specialty grocery store located at 49 Elizabeth St in the heart of Manhattan’s Chinatown. Since 1979, it has served as a premier destination for traditional Cantonese ingredients, specializing heavily in premium dried seafood, medicinal Chinese herbs, and nourishing soup ingredients. Whether you are seeking high-grade dried abalone, bird's nest, or simply the best prices on everyday pantry staples, this bustling market offers an incredibly authentic, high-value shopping experience for culinary traditionalists and home chefs alike.
Conquering the Urban Culinary Crucible
For generations of Chinese-Americans and culinary enthusiasts, recreating traditional, health-focused Cantonese cuisine presents a highly specific situational crucible. Standard American supermarkets—and even many modern pan-Asian mega-marts—often lack the deeply specialized, medicinal ingredients required for authentic tonics, restorative soups, and holiday delicacies. Po Wing Hong Food Market was established to definitively conquer this challenge. Operating as a traditional 參茸海味 (Herbs & Dried Seafood) shop, its mission is to preserve the richness of Chinese culinary heritage by providing uncompromising access to premium, health-boosting ingredients right in Lower Manhattan.
The market expertly solves the shopper's dilemma by offering a densely packed, treasure-trove inventory. Customers can bypass generic grocery aisles and explore highly curated selections of dried scallops, sea cucumber, fish maw, and American ginseng. Beyond these premium delicacies, Po Wing Hong also stocks everyday Chinese dry goods, including hard-to-find sauces, ramen, spices, and nostalgic treats like White Rabbit milk candies. This allows home cooks to gather both their rare, restorative ingredients and daily pantry essentials without needing to scour multiple specialty shops across the city.
The true "insider edge" of Po Wing Hong is its deeply rooted family expertise and unmatched product authenticity. While the physical store is famously compact and often very crowded, the fast-moving, highly knowledgeable staff ensure a swift and efficient shopping experience. The owners view food as medicine, bringing decades of hands-on knowledge to help customers select the perfect ingredients for seasonal well-being—from peach resin and lily bulbs for spring renewal to rich dried oysters for winter banquets. This level of specialized guidance transforms a standard grocery run into a profound cultural and culinary education.
Retail Pricing & Everyday Investment
Po Wing Hong operates with a traditional, highly competitive retail pricing model, offering exceptional value on dry foods while maintaining market-appropriate rates for rare, premium delicacies.
Product Category
Estimated Pricing
Value Factors
Dried Seafood (Scallops, Shrimp)
$10.00 – $50.00+
Available in various grades; essential for elevating the umami in Cantonese soups and stir-fries.
Premium Delicacies (Abalone, Ginseng)
Premium / Market Price
High-end restorative ingredients sourced for their exceptional quality and health benefits.
Pantry Staples (Sauces, Noodles)
$2.00 – $10.00
Excellent, highly competitive pricing on everyday Chinese cooking essentials and spices.
Traditional Snacks & Teas
$2.00 – $15.00
Affordable access to rare imported teas and nostalgic candies.
Payment & Accessibility: The store accepts cash and major credit cards. Because the aisles are notoriously narrow and the store is frequently crowded, locals recommend leaving large shopping carts outside. For added convenience, they also offer a robust online shopping experience.
At a Glance
Feature
Details
Primary Services
Premium Dried Seafood, Chinese Herbs, Tonics, Cantonese Dry Goods
General Price Range
$$-$$$$ (depending on premium delicacies)
Operating Hours
Mon–Sun: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM (Open 7 days a week)
Top 3 "Why Choose Us"
1. Unmatched selection of premium dried seafood (abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw).
2. Deep expertise in traditional Chinese herbs and restorative soup ingredients.
3. Historic, trusted family-owned legacy in Chinatown since 1979.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Po Wing Hong Food Market located?
The market is located at 49 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10013, situated in the heart of Manhattan's Chinatown.
What are the store's operating hours?
Po Wing Hong is open seven days a week, from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
What exactly is a "Herbs & Dried Seafood" store?
Known in Chinese as a 參茸海味店, it is a traditional specialty shop that sells premium Chinese medicinal herbs (like ginseng) and dried delicacies from the sea (like scallops and abalone) used for tonic soups, traditional remedies, and gourmet cooking.
Is it a good place to buy everyday groceries?
While they specialize in premium dry goods, it is an excellent place to buy everyday Cantonese pantry staples, sauces, dried noodles, and spices at very competitive prices.
Is the store usually crowded?
Yes, it is a very popular and compact store. Expect crowds, especially on weekends and leading up to major Chinese holidays, though the checkout lines are known to move very quickly.
Can I shop online if I don't live near Chinatown?
Yes, they offer a comprehensive online store (powingonline.com) for customers who wish to purchase their specialty ingredients from home.
Resumen del negocio: Po Wing Hong Food Market, establecido en 1979 en el barrio chino de Manhattan, es un mercado especializado en mariscos secos premium y hierbas medicinales chinas. Es el destino definitivo para encontrar ingredientes tradicionales para sopas y tónicos cantoneses, ofreciendo calidad experta y excelentes precios en productos de despensa.
Обзор бизнеса: Po Wing Hong Food Market, основанный в 1979 году в Чайна-тауне Манхэттена, специализируется на сушеных морепродуктах премиум-класса и китайских целебных травах. Это идеальное место для поиска традиционных ингредиентов для кантонских супов и тоников, предлагающее экспертное качество и отличные цены на бакалею.
业务简介: 位于曼哈顿唐人街的宝荣行食品中心 (Po Wing Hong Food Market) 成立于 1979 年,是一家专营优质海味和名贵中药材的老字号。这里是购买正宗广式老火汤料、滋补品以及日常干货调料的绝佳去处,以其专业品质和实惠价格深受大众信赖。






