Chinatown, Chicago

If you are looking for gift items, or food from a oriental store, avoid China Town. The prices are marked up substantaly. Take the Red Line to Argile. This is another oriental area, with pharmacys, clothes, music, decor, grocerys, resterants. Everything there is marked less. It may not look as great, but your there for the items so that shouldnt be a problem.

Many of the little stores are tourist traps, but what is the harm in buying Chinese finger trap and yo-yos for the kids if that makes them smile?! Just know that if you do go into the shops, you will have to ignore lots of junk to find the 'treasures'. And the junk probably won't survive the trip home.