My cousins grew up in Irvine, and I grew up outside Philadelphia. My parents are from Taiwan, and I'm a person who played football and enjoyed listening to rock music. I kid you not, when I visited California for the first time, the big culture shock was experiencing the Chinese communities out west, putting my mother in her comfort zone. I did not anticipate that. My parents were pigging out every night.
I am Mexican, LA raised. Its been a great food culture turn around in SGV. Those Meg a-Millionares have up-ed the Chinese food game, Thank God. Valley BLVD. is so specific, I dont even know what I am eating but its wonderful! I lived near Korean community and found the food experience but the Chinese is over the Top in SGV.
Valley Blvd. and Garvey Ave. are the two main roads to hit up for a slew of endless Chinese flavors. Garvey Ave. is a bit older in terms of when it was first developed, but you can't really go wrong with either.
I grew up as a Cantonese Chinese American in Boston and then married over to San Gabriel Valley about ten years ago. Please do an episode on the Chinese community in Boston as well. There is also a Boston Chinatown. There are more Cantonese speaking immigrants originally due to Guangzhou, my birthplace, the capital city of Guangdong province, being a major port city for two millenia since the Qin Dynasty general Zhao Tuo established the Nanyue Kingdom there. Most oversea Chinese were of Cantonese origin originally. Boston’s Chinatown and Chinese community, with Quincy being a second Chinatown (my parents still live there) are mostly Cantonese and Toisanese (Toisan in Cantonese or Taishan in Mandarin) speakers. When I moved to Los Angeles County living right on San Gabriel Boulevard, I was surprised to see so many Mandarin speakers from all over China. San Gabriel Valley is like a second Chinatown to the Los Angeles Chinatown, similar to Quincy, Massachusetts is like a second Chinatown outside of the Boston Chinatown. Monterey Park is nicknamed “Little Taipei” 小台北. We border on San Marino and Arcadia, both of which are wealthy districts with million dollar houses. I graduated from Boston Latin School, the oldest school in America founded in 1635 by Puritans. Harvard, founded one year later in 1636, being the oldest University in USA, was founded originally for our school’s first graduating class. Massachusetts ranks number two in education and health. I kind of miss Massachusetts for its education and healthcare, as Boston is the number one hospital city in USA with a lot of Harvard Medical School (number one medical school in USA) affiliated hospitals such as Mass General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital where I have worked at before. The school system here in Los Angeles isn’t as good as in Massachusetts, but the amount of variety of Chinese from different parts of China definitely amazes me. Arcadia High School and San Marino High School are highly sought after schools in this area by the Chinese, although their national rankings aren’t as high as Boston Latin School. Sorry for comparing my experiences living in two different parts of USA (northwest and southwest) and sharing my experiences and comparisons. Don’t feel offended if you are from San Gabriel Valley. Just a comparison I constantly do comparing where I grew up and where I currently reside. I wish Governor Newsom could clean up the air pollution in Los Angeles. I kind of miss the clean air in Massachusetts and the history and culture in Boston, the birthplace of American history. You will find Chinese families pushing their kids into exam schools. You see that in Los Angeles with San Marino High School and Arcadia High School, and you see the same in Boston Latin School, all of them being exam schools. I wish there wouldn’t be Affirmative Action against the Asians because Asians strive hard to enter exam schools in USA, while quota are often given to the blacks and Hispanics as minorities even though Asians are way more minor in USA. When it comes to exam schools, I wish it would be fair competition instead of using Affirmative Action to discriminate against the way more minor group of Asians.
The United States is a big nation of immigration, diversity, and multicultural. Chinese immigrants built American railroad system and they are businessmen today.
Blend Creeper you can look up "black Wall Street" befor you open you stupid mouth. 400 years of structural roadblocks to asserting god given autonomy...
My parents moved to San Gabriel in 1980 when there was majority caucasians and struggled to get jobs and earn income. I think it's hilarious you interviewed Clarrisa rolling in her daddies S-Class talking about struggles of chinese immigrants lol. Also these new influx of rich asians has ruined the 626 area, its no longer affordable and overcrowded
Whether it's Canada, Australia, or any decent European countries, the Chinese drive up the property costs. Don't interview the rich Chinese kids that don't know anything about the struggles of low-mid class Chinese immigrants.
As a Chinese American born and living in the SGV...there's definitely a lot of resentment against Mainland Chinese. Many of them bought up properties in cash. This has led to expensive housing prices for everyone. Houses, sometimes historic are knocked down to be replaced with huge mansions that take up the maximum footage of a property only to be left empty.
That is a source of resentment for sure. I also grew up in the SGV (Alhambra) where my father was a real estate broker in the 80s and 90s. His office was in San Marino, and 85% of his clients were from Taiwan and mainland China. I think the differences in business practices between the cultures is a source of resentment as well. That being said, the food game in the SGV in the last five years is sick!
No doubt the food is great, but do you see the Mexican Elite setting up camp here? No But the Chinese (Asian) do it all the time, they start with restaurants and nail shops and end up with your house and your whole neighborhood.
Frances Carranza You sound jealous! Is it because you are not friends with the Mexican Elites? If you were, you would know they are buying the million dollar houses too.
I'd say thank you Chinese immigrants if I were a resident in that area.. I'd sell my house and make a fortune, upgrade to a nicer house in an area without chinese immigrants and keep the rest of the cash .....if it's some wealthy white man buying up houses, bet you wouldn't dare complain....when is it a sin to pay for your house upfront instead of going through a 20 year mortgage anyways?...so now being in debt is the ethical thing to do?...BTW, Being a Chinese American doesn't exempt you from being a racist..you ain't going to be complaining if your neighbourhood is bought up by whites, that's for sure.. slave mentality..
I'm so glad this series popped up on my feed. I really enjoyed learning more about American Chinese and the struggles and successes they faced. Really well produced 👌🏼
I was hoping this segment would capture the "true" Chinese American experience of SGV. From the the little market Din Hao that cater the 1st batch of fresh Taiwan products to World Journal Newspaper to the 1st Shao Mei on Valley with a mah jong table in the back. Who can forget the little aunty that worked off her a** on Mission Blvd/Las Tunas....and who wouldve thought her sausage later evolved into Sinbala....Thats just the Taiwanese side......What about the Chinese Vietnamese, Chiu Chow Cantonese , the explosive Hong Kong Cafe scene after 97'. Its because of these little restaurants, that sold comfort food at a very reasonable price at that time when all of us are adapting to this new country. If you live in SGV like I do, you know this is a horrible representation of our community. Many of us came from hard working class family, its truly a shame that multi million dollar homes and mega corporation Chinese restaurant that many of us dont even get it or like to eat is representing our community.
I graduated from a high school in the SGV in '07. I know this is a terrible representation of the communities here. It's especially insulting to the whites who embraced the populations with open arms- a slap in the face
Yeah, and remember Peng Yuan, the first high-end Chinese restaurant next to the Ding Hao market on Atlantic Blvd? Good luck trying to get a reservation for dinner on Friday or Saturday there.
Yea, truly annoying. Many of the new Chinese immigrants are from rich families from Mainland China. This truly does not show the struggles and diversity of the San Gabriel Valley. There's still plenty of poverty among the Chinese populations. Just Google "Neither Human Nor Ghost: Chinese Immigrants Scrape By In San Gabriel Valley’s Boarding Houses," an amazing article done by LAist.
Why does this remind me of Richmond and Burnaby, BC? Especially Richmond. I've never gone to California, but I've been to Vancouver before. My parents immigrated there back in the 90's, but they moved back to Hong Kong, and I was sent to school in the UK instead of North America. Every time I'm back in the 852, I'm happy, as the UK doesn't have much of a Chinese community and I miss the food. I'm learning how to cook in my spare time as a result.
My husband and his parents being from Arcadia I've gotten to know the 626 area fairly well. Myself being an all around mutt (French Mexican American) I really appreciate the diversity of this area. It's not just heavily Chinese influenced, but also Vietnamese, Korean, Hmong, Thai, etc. You'll also find lots of fusion style restaurants owned by young entrepreneurs where their take on more traditional cuisines can be really refreshing. One of my favorite fusion hot pot restaurants to visit in SGV is Jazz Cat. My husband's career moved us out to San Diego a few years ago and I really miss the 626 area. Especially more now knowing my husband recently accepted a transfer to Washington D.C. ... I'm going to miss living in California. Goodbye amazingly good diverse accessible food & sunny winters and hello unpredictable long snowy winters...😅
Many Chinese operate restaurants, dental, doctor's office, accounting, businesses and IT, but Chinese are lacking in politics, so Chinese don't have a loud voice in government. For example, another prison building is about to be setup in Manhattan Chinatown, the Chinese local people oppose it, but is unlikely to stop it from happening. American Chinese are not as united as Vietnamese Chinese. Hopefully one day, Taiwanese, Uighers, Mainlanders, OSC, can all unite and act as a family as 500 years ago, we shared the same ancestors.
I'm hispanic but I friking love Asian food. I am so upset that in Florida there is no good legit genuine Chinese food. I see this video and I just want to travel for the food. No shame!! I want it! Feed me chinese food! Or any Asian yummy food! Okay. Rant over.
Lol and I bet you have never had authentic Chinese food? The Chinese food in the US located in these area codes are much much better than the authentic version because of the ingredients being of higher quality. You want authentic Chinese, come and live in China. Most foreigners I’ve met here if not all, do not like Chinese food. And these foreigners are from all over the world, mainly from the West. Been living in China for 5 years and the food is an acquire taste for sure.
Loved learning about SGV and the new food scene. I'd been familiar with the LA Asian communities in the 2000's, and now see it has changed so much. Appreciate that you included social/(non-) assimilation issues in the story. It's not all about hedonism. Very professional and slick video production, look forward to seeing more. Thank you.
I grew up immediately south of the SGV and went to community college there. it really is an awesome place. Lots of great restaurants and grocery stores
Los Angeles and the greater L.A area has the most diverse range of authentic Asian food outside of Asia..the Bay area, New York, Vancouver all have amazing Asian food...but the greater Los Angeles area is king at the moment..
7:32 Those reasons seem inaccurate. I would say the 3 big reasons why Chinese parents send their kids to America are as follows: 1. Study at a prestigious American school without having to compete in the Chinese Gaokao. Graduate. Make money in America or go back to China where a cushy job secured by their family awaits them. 2. Study at a prestigious American school without having to compete in the Chinese Gaokao. Graduate. Make money in America or go back to China where a cushy job secured by their family awaits them. 3. Healthier environment, away from the rapid industrialization in China. Literally zero of the Chinese families I know of have sent their kids to America for nebulous concepts of liberal democracy.
Curtis Charlton the 626 night market is just a bunch of food trucks. It's great food, and you can get some awesome stinky tofu. However, u will wait in long lines and be stepped on by thousands of people. Don't wear nice shoes when you go, I made this mistake once. They hold the 626 night market at the Santa Anita race track.
Night Market is a rip off but the issue is that everything is ease of access. If you dont know where to go for food then yeah its a good place to visit.
You have to continue this series... It's really educational for young Asian American trying to find their identity or facing discrimination still in 2020
Not much people discriminate a billionaire Black person, just as not much people will discriminate a billionaire Chinese. Wealth can put you in a different category or more enjoyable freedom.
This is my first (being alive when youtube/possible the internet was created) comment ever. We need more and more and more and more of ABC's (sorry Asian born Canadian...yes not American but we are neighbors) that speaks to what our history is. To keep it simple, please do more. Our voice and culture need to be heard. This clip is awesome.
The way they prepare their food is truly a great art in itself.I don't think I will leave the place if I am invited here. Maybe only if I have to see the bill to come !
I bee 3 months out of SGV back in my birthplace(Puerto Rico) and I really miss SGV😔 can wait to go back. Just being living there two years and I fell in love with it.
This series is really cool because I`m learning a lot I didn`t know about. I grew up in Orange County, but left southern California many years ago, so I don`t know how the region`s changed. You fill in a lot of those gaps for me. Thank you!
Super good video! I live super super close to the SGV and I always go to these places just to walk around and eat food, I'm super happy there's a video about the SGV and all the food there is!
This is my neck of the woods, lived there for 30 years before moving to the east coast. Used to hangout at Focus Plaza (Valley/Del Mar) back in the day. That entire plaza/shopping complex used to be a drive in theater years ago. Nice to see this clip of where I used to live for many years...
There’s pretty much one place in the country for the best Chinese food that competes with the level you get in China, and that’s east LA/San Gabriel Valley. Not NYC’s Flushing, SF, nor pretty much any “Chinatown” elsewhere in the country are at that level. I think Houston has potential with newer influx of Chinese immigrants, but it’s the educated/wealthy influx of immigrants that keep flooding into 626 that puts it at a world-class level when it comes to Chinese restaurants.
I think I saw a RU-vid video on Flushing, Queens, NYC and the Chinese community. Not sure if it was Mikey Chen, but there is a huge story there, and there should have been a 4th episode in this series about the Chinese in NYC. No greater melting pot than NYC, with their NY Chinatown and Flushing.
Many of these cities like Rosemead, San Gabriel, Temple City, El Monte,, Hacienda Heights, Monterey Park, Alhambra were largely Mexican American communities that are now almost non existent. My family were the first non anglos on the block in the 60s in Hacienda heights then in the 70s in Rowland Heights now they’re the only non Asians on the block. Lol
Love living in the SGV. I am Asian but not Chinese. Although most Asians that live around me are Chinese, I still feel right at home. I get mistaken for being Chinese, Japanese, or Korean but my ethnicity is Filipino. I look so east Asian that even some Filipinos don't believe I'm Filipino. Dude! My last name is of Spanish origin! I'm proud of being Filipino and I die a little inside when people think I'm east Asian. Nothing but love for the east Asians but you know what I mean.
Loving this series. I feel as an Asian that I really don't care about representation in government or in media, but I do want their stories told. Keep up the good work!
"Without the struggles of Chinese people thriving communities like SAN GABRIEL VALLEY wouldn't exist?" Know your history. The cities you showed in the beginning were Alhambra, Arcadia, and Monterey Park. Don't ignore one culture to boost another. The area is over 100 years old. Overcrowding and gentrification do not equal "thriving communities"
People need to stop being butthurt when a story isn’t about them. The influx of Chinese immigrants brought business, restaurants, and turned the places into a culinary destination. It’s current problems of overcrowding/gentrification is BECAUSE it’s thriving and because people choose to live there in a way that was never demanded of the place before. There are obviously areas where other cultures adopted and made there own. LA is a big place. But San Gabriel Valley is very much a Chinese immigrant story.
I'm not butthurt that the story wasn't about me. If you could comprehend what I said originally, I said don't ignore one culture (that has been in the area longer and actually developed the cities) to boost another culture (that has simply taken over.) Also, I hope you're not from the SGV area because if you're correlating overcrowding and gentrification to the "thriving" area then you're obviously ignoring the hundreds and hundreds of homeless people you drive by everyday. And if you're new to SGV like these Chinese communities then you probably think it's normal, but the homeless population has skyrocketed since the influx of Asian immigrants. Do some research.
Again, it’s not about ignoring other cultures. The whole point of this video is about the Chinese immigrant perspective and the contributions they had to SGV. Just because they don’t mention the contributions of other ethnicities doesn’t mean they’re trying to erase those contributions. You need to do YOUR research. Homeless in LA is a growing trend that’s now at an epidemic level, that’s not exclusive to SGV. And that trend correlates with the housing crisis and poor zoning laws. No city in LA County, no matter how successful, are spared and that’s trend is happening in every LA community irrelevant of Asian immigration. It’s an LA problem, not an Asian immigrant problem. Blaming Asian immigrants for the homeless crisis is hogwash.
for 9 years i lived in this area: temple city (around las tunas and temple city blvd), san gariel (north of valley blvd then rosemead blvd+las tunas dr)....bring back the memories
AdiJoPey hahahah exactly Frances is just a sore loser whose hating on hard working people !!! Chinese will take over the world while people like frances sleep way their life
I have nothing against hard working Asian people I am against Communist Chinese MONEY LAUNDERING!!! MAFIA MONEY LAUNDERING!!!While exploiting slave labor, sex slaves and just pain theft.
0:10 hahaha I always go to this plaza with my wife and her family. Vege Paradise is there and it's a Vegan Chinese food spot that is actually pretty awesome.
I remember 626 Night Market's inaugural showing. They assumed 6,000 people would show up... it had 30,000. Super packed! They've moved it to Santa Anita Park, easing the crowding by a ton! Highly recommended!
0:22-0:27 Alhambra, Arcadia, Monterey Park. The largest city in the area is Pomona (149,058/1/4/2010). The city with highest proportion of Asian-Americans within San Gabriel Valley is Monterey Park (40,301/1/4/2010-66.9%, Chinese-American - 47.7%).
Thank you for doing this video. I would love to see how other ethnic groups settled into other parts of L.A. like Armenians in Glendale, Koreatown, East Los Angeles, and others. I would rather live in a smog infested, traffic congested, over priced housing community as L.A. County and be around people from all walks of life.
I don't really think it's not that you're not wanted or welcome, some of it stems from how the language is spoken in their native dialects in China and the culture there. For example, people find Hong Kong Food servers rude because they simply plop down dishes, cutlery and so forth and their tones when they speak are abrupt or aggressive, but that's simply part of the culture. Regardless of whether you are a native Hong Kong person or a foreigner, you'd receive the same treatment. The Chinese language and its many dialects are spoken in tones. The same word spoken in a different tone means different things. So when they start learning to speak English, specially the older generation, the tones carry over and may sound rude or angry even when it's not meant to be. And some who may not be fluent in English might just be shy and appear standoffish when in reality they're just not used to initiating conversation or interaction. Give them a chance. Blacks or African Americans also have a distinctive culture so a non-black going into a predominantly black neighborhood might also feel shy and out of place, specially if they haven't been exposed to or are used to the culture.
JUST A WONDERFUL SERIES THOUGH I'M CHINESE CANADIAN WITH NO CANADIAN BLOOD BUT LOVE SEEING ANYTHING TO DO WITH GREAT CHINESE COOKING. ONE GREAT MOVIE ABOUT THIS AND TAIWANESE PEOPLE IS "EAT, DRINK, MAN WOMAN" A FUNNY WONDERFUL FILM THAT MAKES YOUR MOUTH WATER!!
If you're thinking about checking out the 626 Night Market, bring lots of money and have a lot of patience. The food is expensive and parking is almost impossible to find.
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