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THE EVOLUTION OF DUMPLINGS IN AMERICA

AMERICA: Welcome

Chinese immigrants started to arrive in the U.S. in sizable numbers starting in the 1870s, which is when Chinatown was established in Manhattan. Although a portion came directly from China, a large number of Chinese people came from the west coast of America, fleeing bigotry and anti-Chinese riots they faced during and after the gold rush. After Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 however, immigration slowed tremendously. In 1882, “40,000 people of Chinese origin arrived in the United States; in 1887, the country allowed entry to only 10.”

AMERICA: Text

With the passage of the Magnuson Act of 1943 and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, Chinatown grew to 10 times its earlier size. Despite the vast amount of people, the job opportunities were very minimal. The right to own property and establish businesses were restricted, therefore, the only choices were to own laundromats and restaurants. As the town expanded, restaurants and other establishments in Chinatown were catered towards both Chinese and non-Chinese people. This expansion paved the way for Chinese-American cuisine, with chop-suey and chow mein becoming increasingly popular.

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AMERICA: Image

This new Chinese-American cuisine also impacted the variety of dumplings offered in Chinatown’s restaurants. At Dumpling Galaxy, for example, the founder, Helen You, says that her older Chinese customers tend to order dumplings with more traditional ingredients, such as pork and chive or cabbage and dill. Her younger customers and non-Asian customers however, consistently order new dumpling combinations, like dried octopus or even chocolate dessert dumplings.

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AMERICA: Quote

From celebrating weddings, birthdays, baby showers, or Chinese New Year, dumplings have been and always will be a hallmark of Chinese culture. In our interview with Helen You, she told us that food is a culture and a language in and of itself. Ideas and cultures can be exchanged through food, and she believes that there is nothing wrong with Americanized Chinese food.

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