Chinatown in London. Are scattered throughout the world and I do want to eat at all of them because of my love of China, but London and San Francisco are the top two on my list. They are so iconic and culturally significant.
These are on my bucket list because of that culture and food.
“Went to Chinatown There are too many bright lights Asked them to dim some.” Harry Baker I’ve always been a fan of Chinese food.
Hell, I lived in China for almost 2 1/2 years. I love Sichuan food but I also love that crazy fried food you get in Canada. I have an odd feeling I won’t find that here though. I had a chance to have a date with Rachael where we went to eat some Chinese food with one of her friends. We were all wandering throughout Chinatown looking at people, taking photos, seeing the huge red lanterns and all of the Chinese décor. I don’t know why it’s always like that. As we were walking past all the doors with smoked delicious food, we find a restaurant and decide to eat here. We sit down. There are not many English people which is a good sign.
I love Chinese food and I love Chinese people, and relished my chance to practice speaking Mandarin. I order, speaking in Mandarin, and it actually works. Rachael seems thoroughly impressed and after a couple more minutes we eventually get our food. It’s absolutely delicious – Sichuan beef, orange chicken and rice. We share and trade our food, enjoying it.
It’s a little bit more Westernised but it’s still delicious. I was going to ask if they have a secret menu for the Chinese people which I wish I could get my hands on and see what kind of food they serve. We eventually all fall back in to chatting about life and enjoying ourselves. It’s a pretty simple, beautiful meal and I’m happy to be here. After we pay and go on our way, Rachael and her friend go to hang out and chat about life and I go off to get lost. As I wander throughout the town, I go to a couple of grocery stores, take photos and just sit down and watch people. Sadly, we were a couple of days late for Chinese New Year so I only see the huge red lanterns swinging over people rushing below as they make their way to their destinations.
The first area in London known as Chinatown was located in the east of London at the start of the 20th century. The Chinese population of London was concentrated in that area, setting up businesses which catered to the Chinese sailors who frequented the docks. A lot of the modern Chinatown is new because it was bombed World War II in the blitz. It’s a beautiful mix of many different cultures – Korean, Japanese and Chinese, and you can find the most delicious food from Asia in this beautiful area.
