Episode 5

Culture Diaries: Episode 5

By: Holden Ellenberg

We live in the city that never sleeps, but let’s be real, most of us still manage to ignore the culture that's constantly around us. You can walk past the same block a hundred times and not realize there is a whole world tucked inside. I decided it was time to stop doing that and start exploring what New York has to offer, and now making my way into Chinatown.

This week I went to Kong Sihk Tong on Bayard Street. Chinatown is an expression of culture and each storefront has a familiar feel. Kong Sihk Tong has an energy that is warm and busy without being overwhelming. And upon entrance you’re hit with a scent that is irresistible. Together it makes for an atmosphere that feels familiar but still exciting, the kind of balance that makes you want to stay longer than you planned.

The menu itself was a journey. Spanning longer than my last APUSH reading, with pages of options that covered the classics, as well as dishes that felt brand new to me. It was the kind of menu that makes you wish you had three stomachs just so you could try everything.

Luckily I had the ultimate tour guide, Chloe Pan, whose parents are both Chinese. Chloe explained how food in Chinese culture is more than just what is on the plate. It is a way of keeping traditions alive and showing respect to others. She told me how small gestures, like pouring tea for the people around you before pouring your own, carry meaning at the table. Hearing that made me realize how food is a form of communication that goes way beyond flavor. But to give myself some credit, I am a pro with chopsticks.

For our meal we went with Chloe’s all-time favorites. The beef chow fun came out first, wide noodles coated in a smoky sauce that was packed with flavor. The cheung fun followed, soft rice noodles with just the right amount of sweetness. They were simple but so good, however they disappeared before we realized it. Eating both side by side showed me how Chinese food can be comforting and familiar while still surprising and delicious. 

Kong Sihk Tong may be small in size, but it manages to hold onto culture, history, and a sense of connection that makes you feel like you are part of something bigger than just a dinner out. Walking away, I realized that exploring food in this city is about more than filling up. It is about finding culture in places you might have overlooked and learning how something as everyday as a plate of noodles can carry generations of meaning.

Now come along with us…