Yokohama Chinatown
(
156)
Sun 2008/12/07 10:54
There are a few things I miss about living in London. Walks by the river Thames. The 38 round bus from Piccadilly Circus to Hackney. Tesco's food. Bag O Chips n Savaloy. Kebabs. The thing I miss the most about living in London is the Chinese food in china town.
To get decent Chinese food I need to drive about an hour-ish down to Yokohama where Chinatown is. But once there, one is spoilt for choice as there are many Chinese restaurants to choose from.
If you are not sure which one to go for, a safe bet might be to choose the ones with photos of famous Japanese celebrities in the window. When celebs go for food, they are often pestered for photos and signatures which are usually displayed in the window. The "Ichiro ate here which means we do yummy food" thing.
Or you may want to go for the ones with a load of people lining up outside.
There are a ton of Chinese food places in Tokyo known as Chuka Ryori [中華料理[ちゅうかりょうり]] or "Chinese Food" but the taste has been modified to cater for Japanese taste buds.
Not to say that it tastes bad - it just tastes different. The Chinese food in Yokohama Chinatown however has been 'less modified.'
The best way I can describe "Japanese tastes" is "A taste where if not matched then the restaurant quickly goes out of business."
Chinese food back in the UK was good but was still altered for local tastes.
How is the Chinese food in your neck of the woods?
Not to say that it tastes bad - it just tastes different. The Chinese food in Yokohama Chinatown however has been 'less modified.'
The best way I can describe "Japanese tastes" is "A taste where if not matched then the restaurant quickly goes out of business."
Chinese food back in the UK was good but was still altered for local tastes.
How is the Chinese food in your neck of the woods?
To get to Yokohama Chinatown, get off at the Motomachi Chukagai station on the Minato Mirai line. You should find signs from the station in English.
The taste of the food seems to change with the chefs. We used to go to a yummy place repeatedly until one of the resident chefs left - the taste left with him ^^;
These days only a few Chinese people still live in Chinatown, but it has population of about 3,000 to 4,000. Most of the residents are from Guangzhou (Canton) but many come from other regions.
Yokohama Chinatown is the largest Chinatown not only in Japan but also in Asia (larger than Chinatowns in both Kobe and Nagasaki) and it is one of the largest in the world.
There are over 200 restaurants alone (other shops are not included for this number).
In 1859, when the sea port opened in Yokohama, many Chinese immigrants arrived in Japan and formed settlements. Later, ferry services between Yokohama and Shanghai and Hong Kong were started.
Many Chinese traders came to Japan and built a Chinese School, Chinese Community Center, and various other facilities in what represented the beginning of Chinatown.
However, government regulations at the time meant that immigrants were not permitted to live outside of the designated foreign settlement area.
In 1899, changing laws gave Chinese increased freedom of movement while reinforcing strict rules on the types of work Chinese people were allowed to carry out.
In 1923, the Kanto Area was devastated by the Great Kanto Earthquake. Around 100,000 people were killed and approximately 1.9 million people became homeless. Chinatown also suffered and with many immigrants choosing to return to China instead of rebuilding their livelihoods in Yokohama.
In 1937, full-scale war between China and Japan erupted, effectively stopping further growth of Chinatown.
After the war ended, Chinatown once again began to grow. In 1955, a goodwill big gate was built. That is when the Chinatown was officially recognized and called Yokohama Chukagai (Yokohama Chinatown).More info about Yokohama Chinatown at Wikipedia.
In 1972, Japan established diplomatic relations with People's Republic of China, and severed relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan and interest amongst Japanese people grew leading to an explosion in the number of visitors to Chinatown with it becoming a major sightseeing spot in Yokohama.
You can even meet Leah Dizon at Chinatown.
One of the best things about Yokohama Chinatown - you can get Sarsi - a fave drink of mine that I used to drink all the time during visits to Malaysia.
- Akihabara News - Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
- Japan Probe - Japan news and entertainment (Subscribe)
- Kirainet.com - A geek in Japan (Subscribe)
If you are new here, you may want to keep up with more of the same via RSS or Danny's other networks. (dont show again)
Went with comrades Joi Ito and Hector to take a bunch of Silicon Valley f...(more)
Fri 12/05 08:19 comments (117)
I usually don't get Chinese food (have enough of that at home), I go for Japanese, Thai, Malaysian, Vietnamese and sometimes good ol' American fast food =3
(ID #401875) Posted on 2008/12/07 10:49
Student & Part time worker in a Day Care
I couldn't agree less. NY city is flooded with chinese restaurants.
(ID #402172) Posted on 2008/12/07 14:41
Double agree, Chinese food at home means Japanese, Vietnamese and other for me outside. Though admittedly, lately all I've been eating is curry rice. ^_^;
(ID #402791) Posted on 2008/12/08 02:44
Sarsi is the best!
(ID #417473) Posted on 2008/12/19 06:56
Engineering Student
Beautiful picture Danny. I have never actually been to a China Town. Every place I have lived or been has been to small to even have one. I do like Chinese food, and have recently been trying more and more things, and have yet to find something I don't like.
(ID #401877) Posted on 2008/12/07 10:50
Yup me too. I live by the country and there is no China Town but I do like chinese food.
(ID #403402) Posted on 2008/12/08 15:43
Filmmaker
It's sometimes hard to find a good places.. Many of the places that are around always think about making the quick buck so the quality of the taste suffers...There's some great place in chinatown, and some other that i need to drive 30min or so.. ..
(ID #401880) Posted on 2008/12/07 10:52
former Emperor of Britannia
ChinaTown is lively as always. Regarding eating at a Chinese restaurant. I'd prefer to dine at the restaurant wherein people lineup. I kinda don't trust much about the items especially food wherein celebrities ended up promoting it like such.
(ID #401886) Posted on 2008/12/07 10:56
I dont know I guess... I would think that the baseline (with which you benchmark altered-ness) would be based on the food you get in your own city. (I'm chinese myself), but I guess, I kinda got used to the food I get in my Chinatown and things like in Hong Kong/China itself seem altered to me. Although on that note, I was born and raised in Alberta (Canada) and the funniest thing I think related to this was tasting pizza in Hong kong. Although my friends in Hong Kong said the pizza was amazing it tasted like the weirdest stuff I had ever had in my life (completely diff. than the Canadian stuff!)
(ID #401888) Posted on 2008/12/07 10:58
Professional Panhandler
The thing with Hong Kong is they have to keep making new recipes/altering original ones to keep people "interested" in their food. There's just too many restaurants around to have a loyal customer base. And as it turns out, some of the food turn up really crappy.
(ID #405492) Posted on 2008/12/10 07:28
Student & Authorized Chicken Slapper
Chinatown here in NYC is pretty good, although technically theres like 3 big ones, all good though (food wise). But I have to admit in the photos you have shown, the chinatown in Japan seems so much more awesome with the lights, or it could just be your photo taking abilities but either way it looks awesome.
(ID #401893) Posted on 2008/12/07 11:03
IT, Programmer, Otaku, ...
I've been to China Town in San Francisco and New York. Just walked through it in SF, but we went to eat in one of those chinese restaurants in NY, but the food sucked... There was a bakery shop there though, which had wonderful buns filled with sweet paste. Coconut buns, mmmmm... We also have a China Town (more like China Street actually) here in Antwerp. The food at all chinese restaurants here in Belgium (that are not in a china town/street) has been adapted as well. What many people think is chinese food, is actually indonesian (like nasi and bami goreng), although nasi actually resembles kare raisu a bit, but it's still quite different. Love kare raisu in japan (especially when eaten at Cafe with Cat in Akiba ^^;).
(ID #401908) Posted on 2008/12/07 11:12
Unemployed Digital Production Artist
Quality of Chinese food here in San Francisco has gone down slightly, but is still good. Love your photos of Yokohama Chinatown, Danny. When I was there in 2007, my friends and I did not eat in Chinatown, because we were going to eat at the ramen museum.
(ID #401910) Posted on 2008/12/07 11:14
Filmmaker
House of Nanking!!!!!!
(ID #401956) Posted on 2008/12/07 11:52
Student
Whatever Chinese food I go in, I always order fried rice. It's already a meal for me. :D Then other orders will skim thru my head like their noodles. Also, their soups. :D Btw, I like the part where you can meet Leah Dizon. That would be the awesome part of going to Yokohama. XD
(ID #401912) Posted on 2008/12/07 11:20
meh most of the Chinese food here in Brisbane is catered to Australian tastes (the ones I had anyway), which isn't my liking as I grew up eating really good Chinese food in Malaysia ^^ and OMG I miss Sarsi too but w00t I will be back in Malaysia soon enough. Food heaven here i comeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!111oneoneone!111!11
(ID #401913) Posted on 2008/12/07 11:20
IT Manager
Been to a lot of Chinese Restaurant in Tokyo but almost all of them have been modified to cater Japanese taste. If I want to eat Chinese food, I usually go to Bamiyan restaurant. Their fried rice is delicious. :P
(ID #401915) Posted on 2008/12/07 11:22
Project Manager
I had a friend in China tell me that people who can't make it in China leave and open up Chinese restaurants elsewhere. Chinese food here in Baltimore is not bad ... I found a good place that makes decent food. I'm a big fan of wonton soup when it gets cold out.
(ID #401920) Posted on 2008/12/07 11:26
US Navy Sailor
Nice pics of Chinatown, Yokohama. I need to go back again but this time at night. There are so many restaurants there so I didn't know what was good. Next time I'll go, I'll go to the one that has a line outside. I've had good luck with that.
(ID #401921) Posted on 2008/12/07 11:26
Food in Msia's Chinatown or as we locals call it 'Petaling Street', is generally good but not for the squeamish since the basic concept is roadside dining after all. Lots of excellent little food stalls hidden at every corner.
(ID #401947) Posted on 2008/12/07 11:44
daichouginga in Byston Well, the land between the earth and the sea (Registered on 2008/06/04 10:28)
The Sword of Magus
Ahhh memories, I went there one time and ate some delicious food(can't remember now what it is) when I stayed in Yokohama for a month. ^^
(ID #401955) Posted on 2008/12/07 11:52
AdvDip Network Security - CCNA - Ironport - Security+
Wow, next time i visit Japan i'll definitely have to stop by Yokohama never really knew that Chinatown would be around there ^^" hmm, it's strange how the taste must match the Japanese persons taste. I mean, isn't that the whole point of trying foods from other countries? Something different and not familiar?
(ID #401960) Posted on 2008/12/07 11:55
DIM SUM IS THE BEST!!!
(ID #401962) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:01
I've actually never tried Chinese food. It...just doesn't look good to me. I'm a VERY picky eater... ¬_¬
(ID #401979) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:11
Wow that chinatown looks more chinese than many main streets in china rofl.
(ID #401982) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:13
Here we have a LOT of chinese people and a lot of them bring their cooking skills with them. We have authentic food from all around the world here ^^
(ID #401987) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:18
Pokemon master
OMG your icon! <3 What's this character's name again? I can't seem to remember.
(ID #401998) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:27
Yep great Chinese food here. Lots of variety too.
(ID #402009) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:36
Illustrator & Designer
The Chinese food here in Melbourne has gotten way better in the 20+ years since I've lived here. I remember when we first came, you'd be lucky to find a decent Chinese restaurant in the suburbs that didn't serve you "long soup" or "short soup" or lemon chicken or some kind of adjusted to Western stereotype / taste equivalent. Nowadays, there are plenty of really good Chinese restaurants in almost every major suburb, so you don't need to go into the city, Chinatown for yum cha (dim sum) or a decent meal. Lots of Suechwan spicy Chinese style restaurant opening lately. Me, I prefer Northern Chinese and also Hong Kong style. :P Anyway, Yokohama Chinatown looks awesome! Would love to go visit there one day.
(ID #401992) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:22
Box Hill my man, Box Hill is the wat to go. Ohh Hei Song sarsi thats taiwanese.
(ID #402081) Posted on 2008/12/07 13:33
Woah, never knew that Japan's chinatown was so vibrant. Sorta reminds me of Beijing, especially with those flashy lights, xbox-huge signboards and imperial-ish gates.
(ID #401993) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:23
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
Ohhhh this is getting me hungry for chinese now... dang it... may well have to get takeout tomorrow.... Sweet and Sour Chicken balls have to be my all time favourite chinese food. They don't seem authentically chinese, but they taste soooo good, chunks of chicken, in batter, with sweet n sour sauce on the side. And you gotta have some kinda rice. I usually got for egg fried. Sometimes special fried, but egg fried just tastes so darn good..... DAMMIT.... I really want chinese now.....:sob:
(ID #401994) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:24
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
(And while ranting about chinese food I forgot to mention how pretty cities look at night. Its one of the reasons why I'd prefer to live in a city as opposed to small town or country village. The nightlights are so pretty. The actually party-night-life is not for me. But I loves cities. Yokohama looks lovely at night. So vibrant. I love the colours. So pretty.)
(ID #401999) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:27
Pokemon master
Chinese food around here is great. We have a lot of Chinese immigrants, so the taste isn't altered so much and restaurants still survive.
(ID #401997) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:26
Yesterday, I have my "japanese endo course dinner" in a chinese restaurant (lol) called Jin Jang, the place was really simple, with some pictures or drawings, the tables where rotary and circular. The food tastes really good, and just noticed that place is famous (chinese ambassador go and take the dinner there when he visit Argentina, for ejample) I really like the combination of food and Jasmine Tea. Chinese and Japanese food for the win!
(ID #402002) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:29
Student Otaku (ITM Student) and ACG NA Staff
I must go there when I head to Japan in the summer... It just looks like a good place to visit...and a good place to compare Hong Kong and Canada chinese food with Japan chinese style foods... Well, I say that chinese food here in Canada is okay, but not as good as food in Hong Kong... Hong Kong food is just amazing... I love food that are prepared fresh... There is one near my place that sells some good food. It's a noodle shop that sells freshly made wonton noodles!!!!! I wonder how much chinese food in Japan cost...here in Canada, it's pretty cheap I say...
(ID #402004) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:32
chinese food tastes like awesome poo here. its tastes different in all restaurants, so much that you will forget what real chinese food tastes like. maybe i should go to a better restaurant sometime in future.
(ID #402006) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:33
DSL Tech Support T____T, Kita-Kon Chairman
We have a pretty famous Chinese restaurant here, I'm sure not world renown but people travel up here to have lessons in a small school like setting. I actually live about a 5 min walk from the place, they have a pretty awesome lunch buffet.
(ID #402007) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:33
chinese food here tastes like poo, its tasteless, i could cook better than they do.. but the good thing about it... its $6.00 for a lunch buffet and $8.00 for dinner, but still it tastes like poo... XD PS: i havent eaten poo yet ever in my life, its just an expression :p
(ID #402010) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:36
amatuer bum
I live in a town there the chinese food is pretty average, however just a stones throw away from where I live, is UC Davis which is loaded with tons of asian food places, probably has something to do with the large asian student body. Because of the large population, there is a lot of places you can go and pick up great chinese food. One of my favorites is the sweet and sour chicken from a place called the old tea house. The sauce is so sweet in it, its like eating candy.
(ID #402016) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:41
Extremely Poor College Student
wow the food are pretty expensive 300 yen per egg tart or for 2?
(ID #402020) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:44
i had been to yokohama chinatown during my last japan trip. It's great there but the chinese foods there are quite overpriced hence i skipped trying them. >_<
(ID #402036) Posted on 2008/12/07 12:52
The China-town around here in Cleveland is like 1 street, with mainly abandoned buildings. They have some good supermarkets and cafes scattered around though. Its my main stop for Asian food when I feel like cooking something different :3
(ID #402050) Posted on 2008/12/07 13:08
As an Asian, you tend to start hating your own cuisine since you eat it EVERYday....soo average...haha
(ID #402053) Posted on 2008/12/07 13:13
In my area, the typical "Chinese" food is found in nothing but an "all you can eat" format where the food has been sitting out under hot lamps for who knows how long and the taste considerably altered for Southern consumers. Seriously, it's not right that the only Chinese restaurants around my community also serve pizza, cheese sticks, and buffalo wings. Though I did find a nice place in the city (about 90 minutes driving) that had some excellent dim sum. But, places like that are few and far in between.
(ID #402058) Posted on 2008/12/07 13:14
Programming Student
its all about food over here. there's all kinds of food apart from chinese. the chinese cuisine here is good to fantastic!
(ID #402059) Posted on 2008/12/07 13:15
Eroge blogger
I'd have to say the Chinese cuisine here is definitely one of the best outside of Hong Kong. It's authentic, but is just missing the high quality in ingredients, such as freshly-caught fish or GOOD chicken. Here in Toronto, there's still the old Chinatown in the downtown core, but it's really spread out. In the suburbs, you can find good Chinese food everywhere. It's not really concentrated to one place. I've lived in Vancouver for a bit too, and it's decent in Richmond. Other Canadian cities (Calgary, Halifax, etc)? Not so much. Tastes pretty 'Americanized' or too 'home-style-but-not-that-good'.
(ID #402060) Posted on 2008/12/07 13:16
I'd only visited the Chinatown in Kobe, but it was quite impressive. Definitely recommended for a quick stroll if anyone passes by Kobe.
(ID #402076) Posted on 2008/12/07 13:29
I'd say 9 out of 10 Chinese restaurants in Toronto are garbage. I may be harsh but the truth stands that those who seek quality Chinese food will usually be disappointed. Now I don't go out to eat as much anymore but I've gone to my share of Chinese places. Many places fail to live up to a clean environment and that may or may not affect the meal depending on how bad it is. The service ranges from good to complete and utter garbage and in that case, I don't tip. Now to the main course, the food itself. Taste-wise, I'd say it passes about half the time but thats after you get past the fact in how unhealthy it really is. Only hunger is driving me to eat that oily dish. I have to say that the taste also changes from restaurant to restaurant. There has been only one place that made mapo tofu right for me. All the other places fail to get the correct spiciness and numbing feeling. Dim sum on the other hand is usually all the same. There was one particular place that had pretty good dim sum and for a very affordable price too. But in most cases, dim sum is usually the same food from the same company that freezes the stuff and ships it out to the restaurants. The worst experience I've had was about 10 years ago when we went for dim sum and the bamboo wrapped rice was cold... we never went there again.
(ID #402080) Posted on 2008/12/07 13:32
I think it's quite obvious that dishes would taste different at different restaurants. Chinese cuisine is a very diverse one with eight main culinary traditions and many other different regional styles and schools of thought within each. The North American interpretation of which (chicken balls, fried rice, mapo tofu, etc) is exactly that, a North American creation based on Cantonese cuisine adapted for North American tastes. There are many healthy options for those desiring authentic Chinese food, so I think that deeming all Chinese food as "unhealthy" and "oily" is neither a fair nor accurate characterization. As for service, I would suggest asking a Chinese-speaking friend to help you out with the restaurant selection and the ordering, and to get you some idea of menu items more commonly ordered by Chinese people.
(ID #402271) Posted on 2008/12/07 16:37
Oh I wasn't deeming all chinese food as unhealthy, I just think most of the restaurants around here just suck. Searching for authentic and good Chinese food is a challenge itself. Perhaps I'm being a bit too bitter about it... service issues is more from how they treat their customers.
(ID #402509) Posted on 2008/12/07 20:54
erm they sell chinese everywhere i live here but we have similar town like "Little India" in Penang where you can get all Indian related stuffs there, great for Deepavali (an Indian celebration) nonetheless i am greatly envious of the chinatown in yokohama, it looks many times better than chinese town here...and oh my gosh its so colourful and nigiyaka. thanks for sharing those great pictures. sarsi...hmmm fav drink during chinese new year but not a big fan of it, as i feel its a bit too sweet for my taste
(ID #402086) Posted on 2008/12/07 13:36
Our Chinatown is known for not for the food but for something else ^.^
(ID #403275) Posted on 2008/12/08 13:17
Love all sorts of Asian food. Chinese, Japanese etc. Haven't been to Chinatown here in a very long time...Probably because the chinese restaurants elsewhere...are better then the ones at Chinatown...XD
(ID #402112) Posted on 2008/12/07 13:54
System Design Engineering (UWaterloo)
Awesome...not really. It's good enough because there are a lot of stores around so I get to pick and choose the good ones only. Other than that, it's pricy. STUPID RECESSION!!!! If it weren't for you, I'd be able to enjoy my meals cheaper. Now I have to eat at home because of you X_X
(ID #402113) Posted on 2008/12/07 13:55
I live in HK, so I get all sorts of Great Chinese and Asian food. However the price differential is quite steep in HK. You could get grab a meal for as little as USD$1.5 at noodle stand or it could get up to $6.5 for the same noodle in another restaurant. (different quality I presume, since I'm never going to pay that much for it.)
(ID #402127) Posted on 2008/12/07 14:04
I am visiting HK this winter break!! So I am gonna get the best Chinese food there is. For some reason I am loving western cuisine in HK the last time I was there. I love HK's take on Italian food with none of the boring tomato sauce flavors that Americans so like to eat.
(ID #402136) Posted on 2008/12/07 14:14
Otaku / Student in Computer Science
I always go in a Chinese restaurant with my friends. Since I'm Chinese, I suggest my friends to eat this and that XD
(ID #402131) Posted on 2008/12/07 14:10
The Chinatown in Los Angeles is quite well blended with the whole city structure, something I resent a bit since I always fantasized about a Chinatown like Yokohama's.
(ID #402141) Posted on 2008/12/07 14:16
High School Student
Sounds great. :3 (And yummy. X3 ) Will have to check it out next time I go to Japan. =o
(ID #402145) Posted on 2008/12/07 14:18
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
Awesome pics Danny! I was fortunate enough to be in Yokohama Chinatown on my trip to Japan. There I bought some of the finnest chinese jasmine tea I ever tasted... And ate very nice food too. :D
(ID #402149) Posted on 2008/12/07 14:22
student, photographer, mobile weapon pilot
Chinatown doesn't exist anywhere in Nova Scotia. The closest one would be three provinces over in Toronto, Ontario. Despite the lack of a large Asian hub here in Halifax the random Chinese restaurants I do come across are good enough to satisfy my cravings for Chinese food. The three Asian mini-stores do a fairly good job at keeping unavailable meats and such in stock so I'm saved there too ^^
(ID #402171) Posted on 2008/12/07 14:41
I'd like to remind of the existence of a city called Montreal with it's own Chinatown, located between Nova Scotia and Toronto.
(ID #402264) Posted on 2008/12/07 16:21
王オタク ｘ 天才様
Definitely need to stop by Yokohama sometime soon... The Chinese food in the States is good in the Los Angeles area, though I don't eat it too often ^^;
(ID #402186) Posted on 2008/12/07 14:53
Student
Some of the Chinese food here are great while some others are not. I like Sarsi also, never thought that there's no Sarsi in Tokyo.
(ID #402207) Posted on 2008/12/07 15:09
I had some chinese food in Hong Kong... and it was the exact same as the good stuff here. So I guess we have some good Chinese food.
(ID #402211) Posted on 2008/12/07 15:12
student
lol I love sarsi, my grandparents used to always buy it. Haven't had it in a long time though... Plenty of Chinese Restaurants around here... there's no easy way to tell whether the food is good or not, just have to go in and try for yourself. Some of the food is delicious and cheap while some others are more expensive and tastes bad. Will be going to Yokohama during my trip and visit Chinatown.
(ID #402212) Posted on 2008/12/07 15:13
suneo (Registered on 2007/12/17 20:54)
What an awesome lookin place. I need to go to Yokohama someday... Only trips to Japan have only ever been around Tokyo. I am missing so much more...
(ID #402219) Posted on 2008/12/07 15:17
Chinese is alright, its average. The japanese food around here is average also, I miss this reaaallly good japanese restaurant where I used to live in Oregon State! BEST Curry for japanese food I have ever tasted!
(ID #402221) Posted on 2008/12/07 15:19
Student
haha i live in the heart of chinese food country here in so cal. love the drink too. used to drink it in taiwan by the case haha.. :P
(ID #402230) Posted on 2008/12/07 15:28
The Chinese have been in my country for hundreds of years already. There is obviously a Chinatown here and they also offer a ton of restaurants. After going to China and HK last year, I can safely say that the Chinese restaurants in here do taste authentic. There are selections that are obviously catered to Filipino tastes but the all-Chinese food (dumplings, suckling pig, Peking Duck, noodles, etc...) taste as close as possible to the ones I tasted in China.
(ID #402256) Posted on 2008/12/07 15:55
Great that Singapore is pretty much a food haven, most types included :D But I'd wanna go Japan to taste their cuisines as well ^^;
(ID #402265) Posted on 2008/12/07 16:21
Part trooper, part -timer, 100% loser...
Yes yes! Singapore does have a variety of foods, including Japanese cuisine... But I guess being in Japan would be best to have traditional and unaltered Japanese food...
(ID #404577) Posted on 2008/12/09 15:06
I live in Chinatown in Southern California, and I've been to the one in San Francisco and New York too. They pretty much tasted the same, except some minor differences. Guess I can't really make a comparison until I make a trip to China and curious to see how different it is in Japan...
(ID #402267) Posted on 2008/12/07 16:25
Seattle's Chinatown isn't all that interesting. It did finally get a gate near the King Street station to welcome visitors to Chinatown. Besides that and a few dragon's on light poles, there isn't much to write home about.
(ID #402300) Posted on 2008/12/07 17:00
Student artist
I live 3 blocks away from chinatown in la. Really good food, if you know where to look
(ID #402307) Posted on 2008/12/07 17:06
Online Shop
Chinatown in Los Angeles is quite disappointment. You know, I never went to Yokohama Chinatown whenever I went to Japan. I will be sure to visit next time I go!
(ID #402310) Posted on 2008/12/07 17:13
硅谷一朵花 (Registered on 2008/04/20 20:54)
横滨中华街，在东京和大阪也有吗？？没去过不知道，知道现在日本有多少中国人，我只知道日本是AV天堂和动漫王国，日本的汽车和流行音乐很强，呵呵，其他就知道了，可能地方很干净
(ID #402321) Posted on 2008/12/07 17:28
Chinese foods in my areas are awesome and tasty. Yokohama Chinatown seem nice and very crowded indeed If I have the chance I want to have a visit there.
(ID #402348) Posted on 2008/12/07 18:05
Aeronautical Engineer
Just recently moved from London for my university and I sorely miss being able to get a good chips and savaloy... almost like no one out of london has even heard of them. I also miss Chinatown in Soho now that I don't have any way to easily get to it... Oh I miss the food T_T
(ID #402349) Posted on 2008/12/07 18:08
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
I think the chinese food in vancouver/richmond is not bad but it also really depends on the chef ^^; we had a few nice restaurant close or changed chefs here before so ^^; I think the so called "singaporean" food here is changed to cater to the local tastes :P I miss the Fried hokkien noodles in SG ^^;;;
(ID #402354) Posted on 2008/12/07 18:13
hokkien mee is soo oily! i shun that thing that the plague if i could help it...
(ID #402454) Posted on 2008/12/07 19:57
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
I wonder if we're talking about the same kind lol!
(ID #404266) Posted on 2008/12/09 10:13
Chinese food in the UK tends to have a lot of sweet and sour variants to suit the British taste (I guess). For Chinese food in Hong Kong, due to grandparents' preferences, my family usually eats Shanghainese cuisine (localised cuisine from Shanghai). Otherwise I eat at (茶餐廳) with my friends.
(ID #402372) Posted on 2008/12/07 18:33
All the time. I'm very used to eating noodles, even more than rice.
(ID #402387) Posted on 2008/12/07 18:49
JR. College Student
Chinese food around here is fatty, greasy, salty, and lots of it is fried. Basically, it's awesome. The retail scene boomed in my area and as a result I have multiple restaurants to choose from in a small area. There's also Thai, Mongolian, Indian, and of course Japanese(sushi mainly) restaurants nearby. Americanized Chinese food is great though... oh man I can taste it... I'm- I'm drooling...
(ID #402399) Posted on 2008/12/07 19:02
Oh wow! I was in Yokohama on business for one night during the summer, but I had no idea there was a big Chinatown there. Although when I was looking for a place to eat I did wander into a random Chinese restaurant that the best bell peppers and beef (牛肉とピマン). None of the places I've eaten at here in Hiroshima have come even close. I am stopping in Kobe during my winter vacation though, and checking out Chinatown is definitely on my list of places to go!
(ID #402412) Posted on 2008/12/07 19:12
woah it looks like you guys are celebrating chinese new year early. no offence, but i am tired of chinese food! Oh, what i would give to have a bowl of real authentic ramen instead of the crap they sell here...
(ID #402460) Posted on 2008/12/07 20:02
I've got Oakland and San Francisco Chinatown close to me at college. When I go I usually just go for good dim sum or porridge places that always have lots of old people in them or in line. Back around Monterey Park/Alhambra/San Gabriel in Los Angeles there's literally miles of good Chinese restaurants along several roads, although trendy chain places from HK and Taiwan seem to be more popular for the young people.
(ID #402481) Posted on 2008/12/07 20:26
Hey that's where I live when I'm not in UCR. T_T There's also quite a bit of Taiwanese food in Arcadia and Rowland Heights. It sucks how Riverside has very few Chinese Restaurants, considering I don't have a car.
(ID #403024) Posted on 2008/12/08 08:11
University student and part-time Super Sentai.
I think its hard to define Chinese food, if you know what I mean. Instead of just Chinese food, one can find Japanese Chinese food, American Chinese food, British Chinese food, Singaporean Chinese food etc. Chinese cuisine has evolved as the cuisine develops over the years in the country its been brought to. Personally I prefer Malaysian Chinese food. Mmmm claypot lo shi fun and KL Hokkien mee...
(ID #402498) Posted on 2008/12/07 20:46
Chinatown invade the whole world!!!
(ID #402507) Posted on 2008/12/07 20:53
Mechanical Engineering student
I can never get tired of Chinese food! My dream is to someday go to China and taste authentic Chinese food. The ones here are good but it is modified to suit local taste. But I maybe wrong because most Filipinos have Chinese blood, including me O_o
(ID #402528) Posted on 2008/12/07 21:12
五〇一軍团 TK8316 Singapore Garrison Public Relations Officer
danny, what camera do u use to shot these pics? judging by the noise level, i say the new compact camera?
(ID #402557) Posted on 2008/12/07 21:44
Was wondering too, since there's no exif data on Flickr. Want to know if it's made on a mono/tripod too, because i want to make such pictures at night too next year.
(ID #402737) Posted on 2008/12/08 01:44
Yeah. I noticed too that some of the pictures are rather noisy.
(ID #403869) Posted on 2008/12/09 01:33
I dunno, I was 5 or 6 when I went to China last time with my parents. Don't really remember the taste to decide if Chinese food in Indonesia is 'modified' or not. Nevertheless Chinese food over here is great. There's also bigger restaurants that have gone international, like din tai fung or crystal jade. To start with, some area in Indonesia is populated by Chinese (ethnic, Indonesian citizenship). My area is one of those said place and we sure have a lot of delicious kopitiams around :) I still prefer nippon ramen though, for some unknown reason
(ID #402579) Posted on 2008/12/07 22:19
lol! living 6 years in Japan and not have the time to go in Yokohama ChinaTown. After see these photos make me want to go now! maybe i arrange some time in the Gold Week (in Japan on December, starting usually in the last week, where we can take 1 to 2 weeks of vacancy in the work, YEAHH!)
(ID #402614) Posted on 2008/12/07 23:06
Student of the Finnish language and soon to be programmer?
Here as in most of Europe, Chinese food is catered to the Western taste. When I was in China, a whole new world of food and spices went open. And I really miss the original taste, compared to that the food here is plain poo(so to speak).
(ID #402621) Posted on 2008/12/07 23:11
Student & Game Designer
I voted awesome... it really depends where you go
(ID #402638) Posted on 2008/12/07 23:35
This makes Sydney's Chinatown sad lol
(ID #402640) Posted on 2008/12/07 23:37
was Sarsi that rare... that rare? oh man, I took Sarsi for granted! ^^; anyways long queue doesnt always mean good food, but its usually 90& hit though.
(ID #402661) Posted on 2008/12/08 00:06
was there during the day a coupla years ago. remmebr taking a boat from an exit that leads out of a dept store (Sogo?). didn't try any chinese food there cos i can get them at home. wow, never knew it would be so lit up during the nite. looks great.
(ID #402676) Posted on 2008/12/08 00:20
I've actually been to Yokahama China town. Enjoyed some nice flower tea there. I will note that it's one of the only places in the world where you can find all 7 glass dragon balls. Not all at one store mind you. They sell these cool plastic looking ones elsewhere in Yokahama, but the glass ones i've only found there. Unfortunately when I went they were missing the #4 ball, so I just held off till next visit lol.
(ID #402683) Posted on 2008/12/08 00:28
Very interesting trivia, Danny! I happen to be Cantonese and was wondering where the Chinese communities were in Japan. The only Chinese people I've met in Japan were Mandarin students just visiting. I was working in Korea at the time, and good Chinese food was nonexistant in my area.
(ID #402684) Posted on 2008/12/08 00:28
High school student
Chinese food taste awesome in my neck of the woods. Most of places with Chinese food are small bistros, but the food is great. And the best thing is that you get extremely large portions, yet it's very cheap in comparison with other restaurants.
(ID #402716) Posted on 2008/12/08 01:19
aspiring to become a doujin and graphics artist cum lawyer
wow chinatow there looks really interesting too :D our local chinatown here in manila is pretty much historic too though I havent had the chance to walk there during an evening so I dont know if its shiny and bright at yokohama :P about chinese food, there are quite a few that are cooked in its original flavor as I have friends who own chinese food restaurants. But the more popular chinese restaurants are either done hong kong style or are adapted to local's tastes or even much more interesting, are influenced with spanish hints (as long as history goes) nonetheless, I enjoy chinese food even if its adapted for taste (note #1 for the biggest chinese fastfood joint Chow King :D) and oh, I do love sarsi too and they're big now too even living longer than A&W.
(ID #402774) Posted on 2008/12/08 02:20
Eating it almost the same thing everyday...It can get thin really quick...at least there is still variety here...
(ID #402776) Posted on 2008/12/08 02:24
yep the main thing i would miss from home is the food. kebab and horseburger.
(ID #402777) Posted on 2008/12/08 02:25
Navy Recruit
well I live about 45 min south of chicago where chinatown is, and have great food.but in the burbs they have decent chinese food, don't know if its authentic or not but good. over the past 5 or so years chinese place have been popping up all over the place but sometimes don't last long.
(ID #402782) Posted on 2008/12/08 02:29
Kokoro Kotonoha's personal trainer
In America, Chinese food has too much MSG's, which is the main reason it's bad for you and makes you gain weight. The 99 cent Chinese food joints in Los Angeles are the worst, especially when health inspection gives them a bad grade for not passing an inspection. Then there are Chinese food chains such as Panda Express & Rice Garden which have no MSG's but are very pricey. So i really don't care for Chinese food, i eat it maybe once a month or two.
(ID #402795) Posted on 2008/12/08 02:47
As a fellow londoner as Danny, I try to avoid chinatown as much as possible as I don't like the place. There's something about the place that makes me feel uneasy, even as a chinese. The only times I venture there is when my friends and I want to eat. We mainly eat in Misato (a small japanese restaurant which seems to attract large queues and on a few ocassions cute girls) and prices are not too bad. Due to the increase of mainland chinese populating London more oriental shops and takeaways are opening. As for chinese food in London, its a mixed bag of good and bad. My advice for anyone wanting to go to chinatown in London or eating chinese food, have low expectations. From the photos by Danny, chinatown in Yokohama looks more interesting than the one in London. Question to Danny, in a chinatown restaurant, do you feel the need to speak cantonese or mandarin (depending if you can speak either one) while ordering?
(ID #402811) Posted on 2008/12/08 03:08
Lolz not really a fan of Sarsi but the mix with water types are good enough. ^^
(ID #402841) Posted on 2008/12/08 03:49
Nice pictures:)
(ID #402917) Posted on 2008/12/08 05:49
Gamer,Anime Watcher,Student,Youtuber (below is my YouTubepage click for reviews and more)
The chinese in the uk is aswome is mostly just grease and fat but i love it and i just had it now egg fried rice (sucked it was from sainsburys) Duck and pankcakes,chicken and sweetcorn soup an ribs how aswome and we have atleast 6 chinese restraunts within 2-3 miles aswome huh?!
(ID #402974) Posted on 2008/12/08 07:06
i got mixed feeling about chinatown, the only thing there is food.
(ID #403028) Posted on 2008/12/08 08:17
To be honest, I have never had a good meal in Chinatown in London. However, I don't eat there often and had Japanese last time I went there...
(ID #403037) Posted on 2008/12/08 08:29
There's a pretty good Chinese population where I live (my family is Chinese, too). I'd say most of the Chinese food is about average, some better than others, but I don't really care too much for Chinese food. ^^; If you go to a Chinese buffet here, the food is overly salty, I guess to cater to American tastes. Best bet is to go to Chinatown restaurants that have large Asian supermarkets nearby. I love Hey Song Sarsaparilla, too. There's even a Chinese supermarket not too far from where I live that sells Hey Song Sarsaparilla by the case.
(ID #403052) Posted on 2008/12/08 08:50
Ahh, I love seeing the various Chinatowns of different countries! I only went to London's Chinatown in October for the first time. Food there was delicious!! I am going to New York in Januard and I hear the Chinatown there is just as impressive!
(ID #403065) Posted on 2008/12/08 09:02
oddball indie musician
That looks awesome. Gonna have to make a special trip.
(ID #403219) Posted on 2008/12/08 12:11
A person who draws things.
Chinese food here is pretty good. I love the chow mein. One time went to this one place though, and the chow mein was kind of mushy.
(ID #403278) Posted on 2008/12/08 13:23
Chinese food in my area isn't great, but not bad. Then again, most places that sell chinese food are buffets in my area.
(ID #403355) Posted on 2008/12/08 14:53
Nothing beats Hong Kong Chinese food.
(ID #403361) Posted on 2008/12/08 14:58
Being Chinese, I can say that Chinese food in the San Francisco Bay Area is often a hit or miss. Ask around to find out which places are good. But I have noticed that, if you want decent chinese food, avoid SF's Chinatown. It has degenerated into nothing more than a bunch of tourist trap places. The only thing keeping them afloat are tourists who don't know better(or short on time) and the legions of elderly in the area. I don't know of a single Chinese friend who would still eat in Chinatown if given a choice. But in you want to have real good Chinese food, Hong Kong and China are the places to be.
(ID #403408) Posted on 2008/12/08 15:50
http://www.chukagai-kichijoji.com/05/index.html コストパフォーマンスはいい。 http://www.miuraya.com/shop/shop01.html この地下のテナントに翠蘭という広東料理が・・・そこそこ。 あとは新宿の野村ビルの桃里とか・・・ここはお値段もそれなりですが。
(ID #403430) Posted on 2008/12/08 16:25
Still Student (I Think)
I have Chinese food everyday. I'll miss my mom's dishes if I'm studying abroad... I'll miss Sarsi too...
(ID #403461) Posted on 2008/12/08 17:11
lol me too, chinese food almoz daily ^^"
(ID #403514) Posted on 2008/12/08 18:18
Polytechnic Senior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer, Pokemon Indexer.
Description for image ID#23488: Happens in Singapore too, but it's more of a "We appeared on this-or-that food show". Yup, the photos in this post are typical Chinatown sights. XD
(ID #403535) Posted on 2008/12/08 18:45
Ah...I crave for Chinese food right now...
(ID #403576) Posted on 2008/12/08 20:05
We have pretty good chinese food here. None of the touristy stuff that usually served in most Chinese restos in the US. Was surprised when we went to Mainland China for half a month though. We were served really crappy stuff in "famous" restaurants, until we decided to just eat out wherever we liked. Best decision ever. I still remember that one dinner. Simple looking-dishes that surpassed our expectations with their exotic flavors and textures. Of note was this beautiful fish filleted and fried in such a way that its crisp and moist flesh stood out in diamond shape patterns, then slathered all over with this sweet and savory sauce that did not overwhelm the delicate flavor of the fish. I'm drooling now... I wanna go to Hong Kong sooner than later!!! Oh yeah! Malaysian-Chinese also rocks. You guys have a fine way of frying those large tilapias. The fried egg strips are so tasty. ...Depressed now since all I had for dinner was fried canned-luncheon meat...
(ID #403595) Posted on 2008/12/08 20:38
LOL! Sarsi me no likey xD You made it sound like its only avail in Malaysia. ^^; And Chinese grub is mostly good around my area.... Mmm I'm hungry.
(ID #403685) Posted on 2008/12/08 22:48
CHINESE FOOD IS THE BEST =D i stay in china anyway, so obviously i see chinese restuarents everywhere.... =)
(ID #403754) Posted on 2008/12/08 23:59
I have Chinese food whenever I can. Usually, it's once a month or every other month. Chinese food in the San Jose area is great. San Francisco's version is good only when you know the right places. I have been to China Town a few times by the way.
(ID #403904) Posted on 2008/12/09 02:15
My favorite fried chicken is at a restaurant in Yokohama Chinatown. Don't know the name of the place but inside is all pink and its one street over from that temple thing. Dancho, if you ever are walking by a nondescrept looking shop and happens to have pink tablecloths, go inside and order the fried chicken. They serve it with a salt/pepper mix that you dip. so good!
(ID #403952) Posted on 2008/12/09 03:08
IT Expert / System, Network, Security Administrator
I saw a Coke ad on some photo, talking about Coke and Pepsi (and any other dark drink), it was confimed by scientists, that you can live less if you drink too much Coke, Pepsi and similars. So don't drink those kinds of refrigerants if you want to live more. Btw Chinese food is kinda universal, is hard to not like it. But I don't like any those insects "food", and I know Chinese do eats them (alive!).
(ID #404183) Posted on 2008/12/09 08:48
Gotta put this on my to go to list. Nice pics Danny. Yokohama Chinatown looks awesome.
(ID #404617) Posted on 2008/12/09 15:49
I actually get to go to Yokohama next summer for a exchange =D I'm looking forward to it. The pictures that are shown here are well tooken.
(ID #404692) Posted on 2008/12/09 17:16
I almost always head to chinatown for my lunch. Sarsi is good for you! so is A&W root beer but its pretty hard to find....
(ID #404800) Posted on 2008/12/09 19:58
There is no food better than Chinese food! Sadly the nice place we used to frequent underwent some staff changes and is no longer what it once was. Now the best thing around is some little shop in the food court of the nearby outlet mall. :( I wish i could cook food like that. I have no desire to learn the American and European dishes we regularly eat, but i would jump on an opportunity to cook Asian style foods.
(ID #405118) Posted on 2008/12/10 01:41
Professional Panhandler
Two types of chinese food in Toronto, or maybe North America. There's Chinese food and there's Chinese food. The first chinese food I'm referring to is the somewhat "authentic" chinese food from chinese restaurants where you order and have to wait for your food to be prep'd. Some of them are good, while most of them suck. The second chinese food I'm talking about is your American chinese food such as your kung pao chicken, sweet and sour pork, chow mein, chinese stir fry, fried rice, and the chicken ball. It's the same no matter how you slice it...GARBAGE. Those are typically the ones targeted at westerners, and no chinese should ever eat those.
(ID #405508) Posted on 2008/12/10 07:43
Man, I totally missed Yokohama when I went to Japan last year. Definitely on my 'to go' list next time I visit. My fav chinese cuisine has to be sichuan. I has lots of passion for chilis ^^;
(ID #405644) Posted on 2008/12/10 09:22
Wanted to visit there when I'm in Tokyo earlier on, but do not have the time. Will go there the next time I go to Japan. The place looks beautiful. Oh ya, Sarsi is nice. ^^
(ID #406139) Posted on 2008/12/10 14:56
Graphic Design student | Receptionist | Otaku
Hmm, the Chinese food here is great! Then again so are the other variants of Asian cuisine ^__^
(ID #406346) Posted on 2008/12/10 20:50
There's Chinese food everywhere in Malaysia. Including those Chinese restaurants which does not serve pork, for those who can't eat pork.
(ID #406403) Posted on 2008/12/10 22:33
Is the Sarsi a root beer drink? Just thought I'd ask because we have it here in the Philippines.
(ID #406472) Posted on 2008/12/10 23:59
Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures Danny! I think I have a few of the same scene during the day. Haha. Anyway, if anyone is in Japan I'd recommend against going to Chinatown if you're objective is to eat Chinese food; and that holds especially true for Yokohama . I went there with a few others back in June and it was utterly horrifying. Every corner looks exactly the same, selling the exact same items. Every restaurant copies each other for their menu and the food... Ack. It is was gosh awful. Save your money for something better. If you do have any desire to eat Chinese food there are actual good, even great places I daresay in Japan -- most of them that I know are located in Ebisu. In addition if you like dumplings there are branches of Din Tai Fung in Tokyo as well. However some of the ingredients are (obviously) not as great as their the original location in Taipei, Taiwan. Yet they still taste terrific if you don't have a branch back at home. So anyhow that is my warning. [Note: Not to sound like a jerk] In regards to the question, I enjoy eating both Americanized (to certain extents) and authentic Chinese food. However it is exceptionally rare to find actual quality restaurants in my area. It really depends on the Asian population of where you live.
(ID #406989) Posted on 2008/12/11 08:34
Sarsi is made up of a thing called sarsaparilla. Technically, it's rootbeer with a different taste. Damn, I wanna go to Japan someday.
(ID #407212) Posted on 2008/12/11 11:58
Student, Bioresearch Assistant, WAVE VP Communications
Chinese food is quite good here if you go to Chinese restaurants. Fast food places that aren't run by Chinese people are a whole different story.
(ID #407291) Posted on 2008/12/11 12:57
Student
Frequent exposure to chinese food, having grown up in a chinese environment made chinese food such a normal thing to me that it is rarely more than average. My favourite among them would be chinese chicken rice.
(ID #407805) Posted on 2008/12/11 21:21
The Chinese food here tastes great! I don't know if its taste's altered as I don't eat it often. My favourite the Chinese Rice! OOOOOWWWWWW!!!! Whenever I get the chance to eat some I pull out chopsticks and just like your any average amateur I CHOW DOWN!
(ID #419392) Posted on 2008/12/20 22:24
No problem finding Chinese food here in San Francisco. There's lots of great selection in Chinatown
(ID #431580) Posted on 2009/01/01 08:16
Wah, Danny from UK love Sarsi. When I'm still in primary school, my bros and I always ask my dad to buy a bottle or two of syrup sarsi from the supermarket, and make a glass of sarsi when we get back home. Its a concentrated syrup sarsi that must mix with water and put a couple of ice to enjoy it. You also can mixed with chilled water. Chinese food in Malaysia taste better that in Singapore. Sorry, no insult intended. My fav noodles called "Hokkien Mee" is totally different in Singapore. In Malaysia, Hokkien Mee is dry and black in colour because the cook uses dark soy sauce, while Singapore version is watery and white in colour. d@@b
(ID #456669) Posted on 2009/01/22 00:03
Mechanical Engineer/Seeker of the truth
I have got a sharp tongue, being a chinese, I have to say the average chinese restaurant in chicago chinatown is about average. It takes a lot to be call extraordinary though.
(ID #499609) Posted on 2009/02/23 19:24
ive been to chinatown in NY, san fran, paris, philly, and the one closest- in LA sadly from my memory- the one in NY was the smelliest lol i am less than an hour away from everything- ventura blvd. aka sushi row, chinatown, thai restaurants popping up all over the place whats the drinking age in japan btw? is it like- if you are tall enough to see over the counter and order, its cool?
(ID #500713) Posted on 2009/02/24 17:31
Marketing Sales Promotions
this chinatown looks very movie like! old chinatown is almost full of bums but new chinatown is...like hong kong.. food tho..fantastic, very similar to home!
(ID #552354) Posted on 2009/04/07 08:10
Chinese food found in Chinatown in New york are pretty decent, some are very good ^^' but nothing compares to the food found in Hong Kong! ^^
(ID #571348) Posted on 2009/04/20 13:08
Recently spent a nice Sunday afternoon in the nearby neighborhood of Jiyu...(more)
Wed 12/24 14:04 comments (110)
Presenting the latest in Japanese car accessories.
Yep - its a pair of ...(more)
Sun 01/13 01:01 comments (67)
In a meeting at Ebisu earlier on this week - everybody has an iPhone ^^;
And a closer look at that ...(more)
Sat 07/04 23:07 comments (35)
Tis the rainy season in Japan right now meaning that many house and shop entrances across Japan star...(more)
Sat 07/04 11:31 comments (113)
Subscribe to RSS or get dannychoo.com delivered to your inbox.
