Cultural Towns

A STUDENT'S GUIDE TO LA'S ETHNIC DISTRICTS

Written by: Alyse Messmer Photography by: Kengkue Her Design by: Joseph Smallwood

Los Angeles is one of the largest cultural centers in the United States. For those who are looking for a new experience in LA, cultural districts such as Chinatown, Olvera Street, Historic Filipino town and Little Tokyo provide people with a way to step out of their comfort zone and learn more about the world around them, even when they can’t travel across the world.

Shellyn Beltran, California Baptist University’s assistant director of International Students Services, says students should take the time to immerse themselves in these different cultures.

“It doesn’t take hopping an airplane to interact with another culture. We have students from 49 different countries represented on our own campus. Not everyone can afford a trip overseas and that’s OK because the nations are in our own backyard and even on the CBU campus,” Beltran says.

While Los Angeles is home to the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory and many museums, the cultural neighborhoods within LA hold the ability to take visitors to new places and experience new cultures around each corner.

Olvera Street

Olvera Street is a Mexican marketplace full of authentic architecture, street vendors, restaurants and historic museums.

Walking through the colorful street one finds are traditional masks, clothes, instruments and gifts. For a food stop, Cielito Lindo offers authentic Mexican burritos, tamales and its famous taquitos with avocado sauce. The stand has been serving its delicious specialties since 1934, and continues to draw a crowd.

Chinatown

Chinatown is full of authentic food, markets, street vendors and architecture that make it seem like you are a little more than a few miles from the Hollywood sign.

The main street begins with an arch of golden dragons, followed by a block of shops and Thien Hau Temple.

Mathew Graves, junior business administration major, says Chinatown is one of his favorite stops to show friends.

“My favorite parts about Chinatown are the food and all the small markets that have unique items I can’t find anywhere else," Graves says.

Chinatown offers many selections for anything to do with Chinese culture.

"I would recommend Chinatown to my friends because it is fun to make a day trip out of it. It feels like you are in a different country because everyone is speaking a different language and all the shops and restaurants are very much traditional Chinese. Chinatown offers the most authentic feeling of being in China so close to home," Graves says.

The colorful markets offer Chinese souvenirs and traditional presents, such as Japanese Maneki-neko (lucky cat figurines), oriental folding fans and clothing.

Throughout Chinatown, street vendors sell fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and more to its visitors. For a food stop, Yang Chow restaurant offers Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine, along with its famous Slippery Shrimp.

Filipinotown

Historical Filipinotown is known for its main street of historical murals, shops and The Park’s Finest restaurant.

At Unidad Park, the 150-foot wall mural “Gintong Kasaysayan, Gintong Pamana” walks viewers through 5,000 years of Filipino history painted more than two decades ago.

For a food stop near the end of Filipinotown is The Park’s Finest BBQ restaurant, which is known for its famous Mama Leah’s Coconut Beef. The restaurant was started as a catering service in 2009 but opened its storefront in 2012. It’s known as “the place where American cuts meet Philipino flavor,” according to its website, and uses the Mama Leah’s Coconut Beef as a reflection of the Philippine Islands. This restaurant serves Filipino food with a Los Angeles vibe and invites customers to be a part of their family.

Little tokyo

Little Tokyo, hidden between streets of skyscrapers, offers visitors authentic food, shops and lantern-covered streets. Throughout the streets is the Little Tokyo Mall where people can shop or play card games, the marketplace and grocery store, and the Koyasan Buddhist Temple.

Braden Olson, sophomore accounting major, says he would recommend visiting Little Tokyo because of all the authenticity it holds.

“My favorite part about visiting Little Tokyo is how immersive it is. From the architecture to the decor, the culture and shops, it feels like you’ve stepped out of the city and onto another continent," Olsen says.

"I would recommend visiting Little Tokyo because it offers so much to do. You can shop, try authentic cuisine, take some awesome photos, and enjoy a unique outing with friends.”

For a food stop, Donatsu doughnuts offers a tasteful experience for every visitor, offering unusual and tasty doughnuts such as matcha pistachio, cookies and cream, mocha and churro flavors. ◆