"A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people" by Mahatma Gandhi, Indian nationalist leader and nonviolence advocate (October 1869 - January 1948).
A culture
really resides in the hearts of its people and it can be a strong bondage when
you see that culture so alive outside of its place of origin. When people
really have their culture at heart, they can settle anywhere in the World and
live that culture strongly. Different cultures and destinations cannot destroy
what you carry at heart.
This is
something I saw and felt during my last trip to New York City. While looking
for one of my Mom’s favorite Cantonese restaurants in New York, I was able to
visit and immerse myself in the famous Chinatown area of New York.
I had never
been to Chinatown before. The rustic New York buildings decorated with many
Asian art and décor; the many Asian-style stores and restaurants; even seeing
outside ads and murals written in Cantonese made me feel as if I was somewhere
else. I felt as if I had transported myself into a place in China, where
culture and traditions were as latent and so much present.
I loved
walking in this area. Admiring all the stores & shops and the locals
speaking in their native Cantonese and carrying on as if they were back home.
Chinatown shops in New York City
My final
stop, along with my Mom and the rest of my group, was the restaurant Hop Kee - located on Mott Street.
My parents had a couple of date nights back in the day (maybe early 1970s) and
they have cherished this place. I heard this restaurant has been a staple on
the list of best Chinese restaurants in New York City. It’s been such an iconic
place that many celebrities, including Anthony Bourdain, have visited this
place many times.
Here at Hop
Kee you can find all the basics like chow fun, sweet and sour pork, or won ton
soup. Yet, the restaurant's popularity is due to the menu of specialty items. I
must admit that among the staple delicacies, I saw Cantonese-style snails and I
had to try them. It was my 1st odd food eaten this year. In
general, the food was very fresh and extra delicious. And it was packed –
people going in and out. And one thing that I think makes this place legit is
seeing Chinese and other Asian people eating in this restaurant and enjoying
every bit of it.
Loved
Chinatown very much. I need to go back soon and enjoy more of its Asian culture
bottled in this Jungle of Concrete known as the Big Apple!
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