Chinatown Summer Nights 2010- 谢谢中國鎮

Wow what a delightful time at Chinatown Summer Nights today. I met up with one of the organizers Aaron Paley (http://www.carsla.net) who graciously showed us around with providing interesting history tidbits of how the land is Chinese owned since 1930 when it was purchased. The current Chinatown is the only Chinatown that is owned and built by Chinese people in the United States. Some popular movies such as; Rush Hour with Jackie Chan has been filmed there.

The original Chinatown was actually 1 mile away from its original location where Union Station is now located. The Chinatown that was originally designed by Hollywood film set designers as a "Chinese" movie prop and donated by the legendary film director Cecil B. DeMille, was called "China City" and was burnt down in the 1940's.  More information can be found at Old Chinatown History. See Original 1899 Chinatown photo (Photo Credit-http://hiddenlosangeles.com). Additionally, you can read more Chinatown History from travel writer Bonnie Tsui's site American Chinatown, which was provided by Mike Truong of the Garnier Building (Chinese American Museum). The Garnier Building was built in 1890 and was part of the city's original Chinatown. The southern portion of the building was demolished in the 1950s to make way for the Hollywood Freeway. The Chinese American Museum is now located in the Garnier Building pictured below.

After the tour, we ventured off on our own exploration. We discovered some interesting alley ways in Central plaza off Gin Ling Way with different types of crafts, entertainment, including Chinese cooking classes by local Chinatown chefs in Chung King Plaza (West Plaza) off Hill street. Map of Chinatown

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Arts and Crafts along Jung Jing Road

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Street Performers on Sun Mun Way







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Dance classes on Sun Mun Way.

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The Chinatown Kung Fu Lion Dance Troupe is a multi-generational, multi-ethnic, grassroots organization based in Chinatown Los Angeles, which practices lion dance and kung fu based on Southern Shaolin traditions, that formed in 2002.

And now for the food adventure. We decided on Don Chow Tacos. We meet with co owner Laurence Lig who is pictured below with our Kung Pao Chicken and Chinese BBQ Pork Chimales which are a Chinese-Mexican fusion Tamale. The Kung Pao Chicken Tamale remind me of a Peking style, but without the duck and it was amazing, bursting with delicous Asian flavors such as; hoisin sauce, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The Chinese BBQ Pork was no disappointment as it was equally amazing in flavor and was kicked up Ragu style with a big punch! of heat to finish the gourmet tamale off with a Bang! Don't miss out on this great Gourmet food truck. Check out their Delicious Menu.

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Chimales: Hey Laurence hand them over bro!

Our next stop on the way to gastric yumminess was Spring Street Smoke House a Texas style BBQ with a Carolina Twist. We had the BBQ Beef Brisket Sammie. The bread was soft and fresh, the meat was sweet and flavorful with a nice crunch from the slaw to finish up the end to a great event. Check out their Menu.

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BBQ Beef Brisket Sammie. Delish!

On our way out we decided on a little dessert fix at the Lake Street Creamery Gourmet Truck parked on Hill street. I had the Orange Blossom Float made with Boylan's Orange Cream cane sugar soda and there homemade California Zephyr Ice cream-Tahitian Vanilla, fresh Meyer lemon, and fresh bits of Mint leaves (Menu), which was a delightful end to an already great Chinatown Summer Nights experience.

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Orange Blossom Ice Cream Float

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California Zephyr Ice cream in a waffle cone. Yum!!