Chinese-Latino New York

Chinese-Latino Immigration to New York City 

Amid political turmoil and economic instability in Latin America, many Chinese Latinos immigrated to the United States, particularly to New York City. During the latter part of the 20th century, the arrival of Chinese-Cubans contributed significantly to the vibrant "Chino-Latino" cuisine scene. In the late 1960s, these immigrants began opening restaurants on the Upper West Side to serve the working-class Latino community. La Dinastia, perhaps the most famous Chino-Latino restaurant in New York City, stands as a symbol of this cultural heritage.

A photo of Juan Lam, the founder of La Dinastía, in the early 1990s with his restaurant, given to the New York Times.

One reason I believe Chino-Latino restaurants are such important and unique spaces is that the coexistence of Asian and Latino identities in these settings is not viewed as "other." In the United States, there is often a binary expectation to fit into and fully embody a singular racial category. For many, the Chinese-Latino identity can be particularly complex — even for myself, at times. Race, ethnicity, and nationality are not concepts that can be fluid in the ways we are taught about them in school. Moreover, Chino-Latino restaurants have served as spaces where my community has been able to positively contribute to the local community, while also preserving our rich, often untold, culture and history.

Despite the importance of Chino-Latino restaurants, many have been priced out of their neighborhoods due to ongoing gentrification, prompting an ongoing fight to preserve AANHPI culture and history through these disappearing culinary spaces. “Specifically on the Upper West Side, there used to be so many Chino-Latino restaurants,” said Richard Lam, whose father founded La Dinastia, in an interview with Audacy. “Literally on almost every corner on Broadway from about 72nd Street to 101st Street. It was kind of just the trend back then.”

This loss highlights the complexities of cultural identity and local history. However, the efforts of community members, particularly on social media, have sparked a reemergence of support for the Chino-Latino restaurant scene. In a 2023 New York Times article titled "A New Hope for Manhattan’s Chino Latino Restaurants: TikTok," Christina Morales reports on how social media has helped repopularize Chino-Latino restaurants. "Mr. Lam’s [the owner of La Dinastía] struggle to stay relevant recently received a boost from an unlikely source: a series of widely viewed TikTok videos posted in the last few months from the account @RighteousEats, which has brought scores of new customers to the diner."

Local Chinese-Latino Restaurant Recommendations

1. La Dinastía: 145 W. 72nd St & 4059 Broadway – Landmark Chinese-Cuban spot
2. La Nueva Victoria: 32-05 Broadway, Queens – Formerly Nuevo Jardín De China
3. Flor De Mayo: Multiple UWS & Harlem locations – Chinese-Peruvian cuisine
4. Calle Dão: Midtown, Chelsea, Greenwich Village – Chinese-Cuban fusion
5. Caridad China: 108 Graham Ave, Brooklyn – Chinese Puerto-Rican food
6. New Apolo: 508 Grand St, 1477 Myrtle Ave, 2899 Fulton St – Central American/Chinese fusion
7. China Cocina: 103-10 Roosevelt Ave, Queens – beloved neighborhood fusion
8. Sabrosura Restaurant: 1200 Castle Hill Ave, Bronx – Chino-Latino & seafood specialties

Do your own food tour, and visit one of these unique New York City culinary destinations!