Ming Street was originally called King Street however was renamed in 1938 to reflect the settlement of Chinese migrants. This street housed many Chinese businesses. From the 1930s, there was a decline of the port and consequently the number of sailors as well as the Second World War which led to a decline in Chinatown. From the 1930s, there was increasing calls to develop the area, leading to slum clearance schemes. This meant that this street looks completely different to when it was part of 'Chinatown.'

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Whereas Limehouse Causeway was home to Cantonese sailors, Ming Street and nearby Pennyfields was home to sailors from Shanghai. There were strong bonds of kinship within each community, family members and mutual villagers assisting their 'own' in securing  jobs and lodging places.