How a Popular NYC Restaurant is Reimagining Cantonese American Food | NYT Cooking

Meet Cory Ng and Zhan Chen, two young New York City natives on a mission to redefine Cantonese American cuisine. Their restaurant, Potluck Club, opened in the summer of 2022 on Chrystie Street on the Lower East Side, outside the old boundaries of Chinatown. It’s the perfect location for a restaurant that aims to infuse tradition with a modern twist, reflecting their personal stories through food.
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All the food that’s fit to eat (yes, it’s an official New York Times production).

[@raymondomega]

The mom’s “pretty good”… I felt that.

[@kelvin3103]

A more accurate translation would be “not bad” 😂 but still very high praise from an Asian mum

[@desmondyap5391]

The highest praise an asian parent can give to their child. It is the equal of saying “I’m proud of you “

[@RescueNW]

Any Cantonese person would know that's the mark of approval. They'll never give you the full approval, always the not bad. I wouldn't have it any other way 😄

[@wilseph1]

The Asian parent version of high praise. That's real.

[@dspserpico]

The more accurate translation “not bad” or “fine.”

[@christopherasdfsd152]

Mom saying it’s okay is the highest compliment you’ll get. I don’t think they necessarily want their kids to be doctors and lawyers, they just want their kids to have an easier and better life than they did.

[@Aurock]

I'm not Cantonese but I related SO much to that scene! Melted my heart, yo.

[@mtascp05]

I felt that, too. My mom has always been a great cook and I asked her to teach me to make green onion pancakes. When I made it myself and gave it to her, same thing...dramatic pause, followed by a generous nod. Chinese parents aren't in the habit of giving compliments, so it's a big deal.

[@So_Bros]

Well said!!

[@GFINHK]

You don't know Cantonese parents. LOL.

[@GFINHK]

P.S. I'm Cantonese, have a BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD & my research gained notoriety worldwide & changed the way an industry worked but my mother is more proud of her son-in-law who had a privileged upbringing (vs ours) being an engineer than she is of me

[@jenl6625]

For someone who also grew up in NY's Chinatown in the 90s, you guys make me really proud and I'm happy for NYT to do a feature on you guys. My grandma still lives in Chinatown at 93 years old but I'm slowly seeing the neighborhood change especially after the older generation passing away. New places like this opened by people who truly represent the neighborhood still give me hope that Chinatown is here to stay and will continue to thrive. I also met Cory the first time i visited Potluck and he was a super chill guy. Wish you guys all the best and success.

[@robin212212]

a restaurant where entrees are near the $30 mark is not really meant for the old locals in the neighborhood, tbh.

[@jokedog]

@@robin212212 Agreed. Esp when everything else around the area is so insanely cheap which don't have to be the case and shouldn't be. No other cuisine offers single digit priced meals. I'm proud that the "non-immigrant" generations is willing to get into the restaurant biz which is hard work and typically reserved for non English speaking immigrant has no other choice but to "hack" it. Willing to support them if only at least once.

[@johnjohn40100]

​@@robin212212agreed, but it comes with the location, it's in Chinatown and NY. It's a new modern style so it comes with the price.

[@kieran465]

I feel like I could watch an entire TV show about these guys. Lot of personality and heart in this.

[@mojinxx]

Right?! Early on I thought, there’s a movie in this friendship experience.

[@thefourthrabbit9516]

It's like the BEAR, but in Cantonese~

[@thedeniseho]

I agree .. the food looks so good ..

[@rrkaminski9]

Just do a series exploring all of the Chinatown shops tbh.

[@micahsnow346]

I would watch the hell out of that lol

[@MPaire]

So thankful to hear Cantonese in a mainstream setting. Other than Netflix's 1899 and the odd Westworld episode where they showed early railroad workers, it's a language quickly disappearing or ignored. Fully support the Cantonese language, what most Chinese Americans spoke in the 20th century, Bruce Lee spoke it!

[@bwoon3176]

I agree, and even more amazing when I hear Toisanese/Taishanese as many early Chinatowns and Chinese communities (pre-1970s) spoke the dialect. Heard it on the recent Joyride movie

[@5000jetadam]

What are you talking about? It’s the most common Chinese dialect…..

[@eb.3764]

Toisan was the first Chinese language spoken by Chinese immigrants.

[@thebonniewong]

​@@5000jetadam Mandarin is the most popular Chinese dialect. Cantonese is only spoken in southern China, particularly Hong Kong. Source: I'm born and raised in Hong Kong and speak both Mandarin and Cantonese.

[@bereasonable8018]

I was recently at the Boston Chinatown and the majority spoke Toisan there too. I felt like a little kid again.

[@albertko1]

True Cantonese American experience... mom of course calls son's great new dish "OK"... "Not bad" and then when speaking to interviewer praises her son. 🤣🤣

[@nearfall87]

As a first generation Cantonese-American, it's incredible how quick and easy it is to lose/forget our culture. I spent my youth trying to assimilate and disregarded my heritage. Now that I'm a little older, I'm in a similar situation trying to learn and retain everything from my relatives and elders. Just thankful that I can still speak Canto. Keep up the great work. We need more people like you. In the words of the great Jin, learn Chinese!

[@MPaire]

Learn Cantonese

[@lotusinn3]

@@MPaireThey literally said they still remember it.

[@jw6451]

"I spent my youth trying to assimilate and disregarded my heritage. " people have done both simultaneously, you don't need to disregard 1 culture to learn another. my advice is pick up as many 80s-90's era hk movie and drama and learn the basics of casual conversations, idioms, and context from there, don't be afraid to try cantonese in restaurants. cantonese restaurant workers aren't always nice, but they will correct you so you can continue learning lastly, if you have time, learn written chinese and try to read menus, newspaper, etc

[@stelity]

If anyone's looking to learn cantonese, a good way to start is by watching cantonese movies and reading the subtitles. KZbin actually has a lot of cantonese movies.

[@faye76000]

I hear u. What u said is so true

[@kingoffongpei]

I don't know if this was intentional, but muffling his mom at 7:54 when she continues on about how getting a certain type of job is better than having to do restaurant work is A+ classic Chinese-American experience 👌

[@danielwklee]

The way his mom withheld judgement...I felt those nerves. LOL!

[@anniexiao2938]

I love how the restaurant sources their ingredients and produce from the local Chinatown, local businesses supporting each other. I feel proud as a local NYC Cantonese American. He's right, if Chinese Americans in their 20s-30s are not making an effort to continue the tradition or take over for the aging Chinese food business owners, NYC Chinatown would not be able to keep thriving to its full potential. Businesses, customers, tourists, and local foot traffic keep NYC Chinatown alive and safe for years to come.

[@bigdezol]

The common thread among all marginalized communities in America is the struggle to keep their culture, customs, traditions, and communities thriving in the face of gentrification and homogenization. Much love to Cory and Nathan for their dedication to keeping their ancestor's dreams alive in this ever-changing world.

[@echan275]

I would not agree the Chinatowns are marginal. It is just that the American borns are moving to the suburbs. Even today, the Chinatowns are still run by immigrants primary from Toisan, Hoiping.

[@hienlam]

true@@echan275, the move out of chinatown does play a factor but chinatowns across the country face existence due to gentrification and not being viewed as culturally significant enough to protect. Detroit's Chinatown is long gone and everyone was pushed out to make way for the interstate. Parts of the Philly Chinatown is gone for the same reason and now they want to destroy the rest to build a basketball stadium. Even if American-born chinese/asians stayed in Chinatown, that wouldn't prevent these other external factors from destroying a quintessential piece of American history.

[@jw6451]

chinatowns only feel marginalized because generally almost the entire population has moved to a suburb just a few miles away. the culture hasn't gone anywhere, it just moved to the suburbs. the people and culture don't just evaporate

[@BGeezy4sheezy]

Miss me with the victimhood angle: I would bet the people at this restaurant and the community of Chinatown don’t feel marginalized or like someone is trying to destroy their traditions.

[@weaselsdawg]

@@BGeezy4sheezy nobody said anything about active attempts with intent to destroy, it's the fact that preserving a minority culture among a different dominant social culture takes concerted effort. if your ethnically chinese kid doesn't learn chinese it wont hinder his ability to be successful in american society, and just like that, an aspect of the culture fades in a single generation. people have to really care and really try

[@ynot5478]

I was so moved by what the young men had to say about Chinatown in Manhattan. It is a place that so many of us hold dear in our hearts so it is incredibly heartening to see how the next generation respects the past while innovating for the future. Your restaurant is on my bucket list now!

[@faridulislam6470]

These guys are amazing!!! They saw and understood the hard work, challenges and sacrifices that immigrant parents had to make to provide a better life for us first gen Americans. They honored their culture while adapting to American lifestyle to create this beautiful thing. All to make life easier for the next generation and pay homage to their parents at the same time. Truly an amazing story, love this!!!

[@stelity]

Asians usually twist their story when it involves money. It's likely that they had no other choice than to work in a restaurant and then tell us how great it is and what a change they're making for the community.

[@DamnAwesome]

Yea you a hater@@stelity

[@lindsayhaugen7660]

I love the, "Told you" at 7:49! Also, having an Asian mom tell you your food is tasty is basically like winning a Michelin star

[@QuantumWalnut]

I live in Hong Kong, and the way they re-designed the style is so refreshing! It's definitely still the same food, but inteprreted in a different lens. Some might call it "more boogie" but I think it's a form of "Asian futurism" - this is what Asian food would have looked like when it gets to tell its own story, rather than being contrained within the history of colonialism.

[@chartreuseverte]

"rather than being constrained within the history of colonialism" ~ that's an interesting take! I feel like I agree, but would you mind explaining a bit more? I enjoyed this story and I'm happy this restaurant exists - it's nice to see 2nd gen kids (I'm one too) carving out their unique viewpoints on food. I'm sure they are, but I do hope the owners are also thinking about how to share their success with the older generation that built Chinatown -- after all, they seem to rely on them too for much of their sourcing.

[@QuantumWalnut]

@@chartreuseverte Food culture is often connected to the geopolitics of its place of origin. If I were to guess, the restaurant owners trace their ancestry from Hong Kong, which is an important gateway for introducing Cantonese food to the world. As Hong Kong used to be a British colony, local food is often associated with lower economic status, and even today it still has a grip on how Cantonese restaurants are imagined. What the restaurant did is quite radical in that it challeneged the conventional imagination around Cantonese food. The spirit of the food is entact, but the aesthetic is revolutionized. As you can see, even their parents were initially a bit skeptical because they couldn't quite visualize what it would look like. I can say that local Hong Kong resturants also have a hard time doing so. In many ways, this restaurant could only come from 2nd-generation immigrant kids in New York, who understands how to create a fusion cultural product. It's a much needed rejuvination for Cantonese food.

[@jw6451]

@@QuantumWalnut huh are you serious? there's still a lot of "innovation" in asia, esp in hk. food trends move fast and hk is always changing. these guys slap pineapple bun crust on milk bread and that's radical? or stir fry premade rice noodle rolls that is already done everywhere? xo fried rice with more scallions than usual? another riff of a fried chicken sandwich? braised short ribs with kabocha is already in most cantonese restaurants and households, they just use different ribs and larger cuts of kabocha don't get me wrong, i love that these guys are hard working and enthusiastic, but to say there's some radical innovation or anything revolutionary is reaching at best.

[@BigTymers1211]

@@jw6451You're arguing the wrong point, food innovation comes from the cook's experience in life, as well as changes from previously established food trend. They're cooking CHINESE AMERICAN style of Cantonese/Hong Kong Cha chaan teng food, some of there dishes are definitely innovation/changes from establish food (like milk tea BUTTER with the pineapple bun, or the dry stir fried beef noodle with rice noodle rolls (which doesn't exist in Hong Kong in that way)). There's a reason Soy Sauce Western exist, there's no way people in Hong Kong can innovate Cantonese food to the way these guys in Potluck club does (they just don't have the life experience, and it wont sell in HK because HK people don't like changes in their food (I live there long enough to know)). In a way you're just nit-picking what they're doing and say they're not "innovating enough", not everything has to be molecular gastronomy to be call innovation, ultimately, you gotta make the food in a recognizable form to eat it. With cooking, I go by this Italian saying: Everyone is right, nobody is wrong (when it comes to cooking)

[@bstaznkid4lyfe392]

@@BigTymers1211 Ya, I'll stick to Hong Kong over any Chinese restaurants in the America..Half of the time, the Chinese waitresses are bad mouthing their customers..Watch out for roaches as well..

[@jenniemoi1020]

I’m not your mom or grandma but I’m so so so proud of you guys!!! Immigrant kid, arrived in the early 60s with family and settled in Chicago. Recalled visiting NYC Chinatown relatives during the 70s! What a vibrant community then! Glad you’re bringing back some of that vibes!!! Great video! Great Job!!! Looking forward to dropping in ….

[@krimetwon]

Thank you so much. We are proud of our culture and our community we owe them everything

[@babilabub]

I love how these boys work really hard to preserve their culture along with language and food in NY and encourage and inspire others to do the same. That's very touching and commendable.

[@cryptograndprix]

Loved how The Potluck Club is receiving recognition. This video is beautiful on so many levels ❤

[@haebee]

the soul of Cantonese cooking lies in the Wok Hei (breath of the wok).

[@vc1188]

The urge to book flights to NY ASAP is so strong after watching this. As a half-Cantonese, half-Taiwanese Asian American, it’s so exciting and touching to see this young generation of chefs (incl. Eric Sze and Lucas Sin) keeping the culture and cuisine alive! ❤

[@wed3k]

Do you speak Cantonese and mandarin?

[@poppinc8145]

@@wed3k Hokkien was the main Chinese language of Taiwan although it's been slowly replaced by Mandarin because the older gen didn't teach the newer gen like they should have.

[@Devilishlybenevolent]

@@poppinc8145 And Chinese have replaced the indigenous people of Taiwan, putting their culture in danger. Plenty of people can speak hokkien and its not in danger of dying out like the native Taiwanese languages/cultures.

[@onespeedlite]

These two guys represent the best of the young generation. Congratulations to them, and I wish them continued success with their restaurant.

[@jonathanng7667]

Love seeing people from the community keeping the culture alive while adding a modern twist. Great job fellas! Can’t wait to stop by

[@tanluwils1736]

My mother's family is also HK-Taishanese with deep roots in both Manhattan and Oakland's Chinatowns. I grew up hearing people trash talk Chinese food as being cheap and unsophisticated...in fact, I still hear it. Yet anyone who has been to old school Cantonese restaurants knows that couldn't be farther from the truth. And, like another person said below, I would argue that it's probably one of the most consequential and influential cuisines out there. This story brought up so many emotions. Perhaps the strongest would be pride. I look forward to bringing my family to their restaurant.

[@Jumpoable]

Well.. most wypipo have NEVER ever had REAL Chinese food, so...

[@helloleona]

Thank you for keeping our community alive. Unfolding a genuine story of Chinatown kids growing up. Full of nostalgia, warmth and all the feel good feelings of childhood.

[@touji_01]

As someone who has spent the past couple years relearning my Cantonese roots, I have found that food culture is a very great way to connect. I feel it's very important to keep Cantonese food culture alive, especially when nowadays there's less younger folks willing to inherit said culture from the older generation. I myself love cooking and love cooking Chinese/Cantonese dishes and I've also thought about working at a restaurant or bakery as a way to preserve Cantonese culture. But it is true that the long hours, intensive labor, and low pay are hurdles that I'm not prepared to take. I am practically the opposite, like their mother said, with a cozy office job. One can dream though.

[@jrmint2]

Cantonese cuisine, knife skills and cooking techniques has influenced the cooking of every country and cuisine where Cantonese have migrated to. Very evident in much of Asia and SE Asia, but not to be underrated here in North America. This evolution of Canto cooking looks like a fascinating twist...can't wait to make a trip there w my 3rd generation American born Cantonese family. 50 years ago, I too had to learn Cantonese Chinese by watching movies lol.

[@dorisowyang9183]

Love that these men are advocating for the OG Chinatowns we grew up in

[@Wongdennis92]

What an incredible story from these two! Zhan and Cory are keeping Chinatown's traditions alive. We need more of this! I'll definitely be stopping by Potluck to check them out.

[@fchen620]

Their story is incredible and very touching… watching this was so nostalgic, bringing back memories of my early childhood. You can tell that their parents’ hard work, love, and cultural values contributed to the dedication they have today. Respect to everyone at potluck club.

[@HiWinszy]

Giving back to the community from gathering ingredients every single morning from local vendors, to the absolute UNBEATABLE energy - truly so happy to have this team in New York ❤ 🎉

[@peanutButterJe11y]

Nyc Chinatowns are forever my favorite. They're the only Chinatowns I've ever been to that felt like they were still for Chinese people, and I love seeing some in the newer/younger generations taking up these mantles, not be afraid to express themselves, and do something that they love that's both hard and creative, especially those with the original Canto and Taiwanese roots.

[@ShinyKyu]

As a first-generation Cantonese-American born and raised in NYC, I love this. We need more Cantonese coverage in mainstream media. Mandarin is foreign to me but hearing people speak Cantonese and talk about Cantonese culture specifically is extremely comforting, even though my understanding of the language is horribly basic at best.

[@Devilishlybenevolent]

I'm fluent in Cantonese in California, Cantonese is fine and we don't "need" more coverage. Cantonese isn't in danger and we're already pretty well known.

[@waicasting]

Love this! So happy to see Chinatown and Cantonese American cuisine highlighted. Keep Chinatown NYC alive!!!!

[@iceber6x1]

This is my favorite new restaurant in Chinatown!! So nice to see that they source most of their ingredients from Chinatown and to see their desire to keep Chinatown from shrinking. Delicious food and the decor is full of nostalgia. Hope there's more videos to explain his other dishes like the endive salad and scallion biscuit with perfectly fried chicken 🤤

[@juliaho8270]

SO happy to see one of my favorite modern Cantonese restaurant get highlighted like this. I would like a mini series to learn more about them!! The history, tour around Chinatown and their mom/dad was such a beautiful touch.

[@mandyc.8436]

This is awesome. I'm Cantonese American, but naturalized, so I grew up eating Cantonese Chinese food. To know these guys out there creating Cantonese American food in Chinatown, and the food looking so darn good, it's awe-inspiring and heartwarming and wholesome and good. I definitely want to go there next time I visit NYC.

[@johnnymendez9163]

Cory and Team handle their clients with such care, it feels like you’re right at home with them. Potluck Club gives a captivating experience that flawlessly intertwines traditional Chinese heritage with contemporary culture. The fusion of flavors and ambiance creates a memorable experience that celebrates the best of both worlds. A must-visit for anyone seeking a real New Yorker experience.

[@philaeew4866]

This is nothing like the pseudo-chinese food I've found in my country. It looks delicious and I can tell that it has modern american influences but it's still steeped in culture, starting from the base ingredients to how they're presented. Cory looks like a happy, content person who identifies with his community and uplifts others. I hope he stays this passionate forever! What a great person!

[@Luna.3.3.3]

Great to see the next generation carrying on Cantonese food with a spin that will, hopefully draw in a wave of new customers. I grew up in our family owned Chinese/Canadian restaurant. It was very successful in small town Ontario, Canada. All the 'Chinese' food wasn't really authentic, but the Canadianized versions suited the locals. We'd go to Chinatown in Toronto twice a month to get the real thing, lol. ~Wishing Potluck Club all the best!~

[@glennbergman2045]

Excellent work, I grew up going to dim sum and shopping with my parents on Sundays. Mayflower Coffee Shop on Mott- coffee and buns. Then Kambo for rice noodle and beef. Mandarin Court on Mott. They are gone but Chinatown has grown north and east

[@Luna.3.3.3]

@@glennbergman2045 I wish I could remember any of the names of restaurants we used to go to in Toronto. I'm sure they're all gone now. The BEST place we nicknamed 'the Basement'. It was a grubby green staircase off a sidewalk in Chinatown. I think 7-10 tables max. It was an absolute DIVE, but it had the best, authentic Chinese food ever.

[@iiDUMPLiNG]

I've eaten here before this video and without a doubt, it is not an exaggeration that everyone who cooks/serves/bartends in this restaurant is either friend or family of the owners. The food was so delicious and creative. I am so used to standard flair Cantonese food, that when I experienced Potluck, I thought to myself, "Wow, someone actually elevated Cantonese food in a modern way."

[@cristizuniga3270]

So happy Potluck Club is getting their flowers . The food is so delicious, and the atmosphere feels like home. Beautiful video!

[@VisualsByPierre]

I love this restaurant! The food is amazing and the owners are top tier people who care about their culture and New York City! Great feature!

[@lcc726]

When his mom says "mmm chaw" that's the typical Chinese parent way of giving approval. It's not "wow this is great" but it's "just ok" 😂

[@jasdipsingh7120]

Happy to see the Potluck club team get the recognition it deserves! food and atmosphere is amazing!

[@krimetwon]

LFG!!!

[@jasdipsingh7120]

#TypeShit

[@mattgee6259]

This is what it’s all about. Honoring the past but still pushing boundaries forward. Each dish is always nostalgic but new. Hyped to see them getting the love they deserve.

[@MSWMW]

I love this. I grew up with Cantonese cuisine and would love to see how they fancy it up! I grew up a few blocks from this restaurant and now I have an excuse to visit. Any cantonese kid can relate having to those parents!!!

[@mojinxx]

WISH there was a Potluck Club in my city. The food looks gorgeous.

[@Geocee14]

Keeping the culture alive in Chinatown! It's a breath of fresh air to see more places like this popping up and keeping the tradition alive!

[@shenyantheawesomewit]

Growing up wandering Chinatown, and instantly being able to recognize every single place he skates by/passing shot hits different :')

[@user-hd5mj6sm7l]

Preserving the community and amazing food. So much love and respect for these guys. Truly one of a kind!

[@pinkpinsofpain]

Wow! Didn't want this video to end. Can't wait to try these restaurants next time in NYC but this video will make it tough to get a table!

[@elsafischer3247]

When I was in NYU I us to go to chine town to eat. In a small restaurant that only serve duck and I was the only non Chinese it was great. Greetings from Switzerland

[@imsedyka]

I’ve tasted Zhan’s cooking for years! It’s such a blessing to see him thrive in his natural environment! I’ve been to potluck club so many times already. I always leave with my craving for canto food satisfied 🤤

[@zeth9965]

Love this. All respect to these guys. Their food and brand looks fantastic. Lived in NYC my whole life and chinatown has always been the place closest to my heart. I hope more real ones keep it strong and continue to build it up like this.

[@wzeng02]

I grew up in Chinatown in the 90s and now moved to NJ Suburb. Watching you guys really bring back memories. All the places you guys went to are authentic Chinatown good spots (egg tart on Grand st, rice noodle cart on Hester, etc.). Thank you for sharing.

[@damianrhea8875]

That you add lemon juice to your jelly fish salad makes 100% perfect sense !!! We live in Southern California, where we get regularly free gifts of fresh fruit from friends' home gardens. One time, my Chinese friend, who is from Hong Kong originally, did not have any kind of vinegar in his pantry for the Chinese eggplant dish w/ fermented bean paste that he was cooking, so he used nonchalantly freshly squeezed lemon juice for the element of acid instead, and the product was an incredible revelation, refreshing and a REAL triumph !!!

[@jessiemccannjewelry]

So proud of these two to carry such a noble goal. Reminded me of the series I watched recently "Paik Jong Won, Becoming a Market", how he helped reviving his hometown in South Korean by using his skills to re-develop an old iconic farmer's market of the town and the surrounding small businesses, in order to remain relevant. Keep up the good works!

[@q_branch_]

I have to make a stop thru NYC for a work trip. Because of this video, I'm going to check this place out and support them.

[@pcimprezzive]

Great job guys! We need folks like this to evolve & revive Chinatown & the asian community in general.

[@AyeITSgio]

A friend took me here for dinner when I was in NYC for a work trip. Probably one of the best, if not, THE best food I've had in NYC. The buildout in the store is not only dope but the people there were mad cool. Cory sat down and shared some of his story with me too. This place is definitely a cut above. I still refer friends to stop by Potluck Club when they land in the city.

[@chiuonthis1]

Loving how these guys are expanding the scope of Chinese food in creative ways !

[@Popcornbeetle]

Way to go and protect the Cantonese culture, food, and language. They are what makes American Chinatown’s special.

[@retepdooh]

This duo is making their mark on the community and keeping culture/tradition alive in their own way, these guys are fair dinkum. Great find NYT.

[@Stephentwon]

Bringing a sense of nostalgia while also giving the food the great influence of who they are as Chinese New Yorkers!!! I love classic Chinese foods but the food they’ve constructed resonate with the dishes I grew up with. This story needed to be told for those who don’t understand the origin. Every piece of art needs a good story. Good job to the crew!

[@iamanthonyespo]

I love this!! Bringing life back to a great community and leading by example!

[@sharonicali]

I grew up in HK and I moved to San Francisco when I was 31. Now I have two kids who are half Chinese. I speak Chinese to them and hoping them to learn more than a language. Watching this video makes me so emotional - I have lots of respect to these fellas! They were not even born in HK and they have full dedication to their roots.

[@chorlauheung4920]

Would love to see this re-emergence of Cantonese food and its historic past in Chinatown Los Angeles. Gentrification has affected its character and vibe. Many empty storefronts. Chinese people have moved out. What is left is a small population of its Chinese elderly. Bring back the Chinatown of the 80's now!!

[@jw6451]

most of the population and restaurants of LA's chinatown moved to alhambra, monterey park, san gabriel, and have had storefronts (usually 2nd shops) in those cities for decades in addition to their original chinatown shops

[@RlKU]

Man, it's so nice to see the nuances of being Chinese American, and specially the Toisan/Hong Kong experience in Manhattan's Chinatown as it's rapidly changing. Their Cantonese isn't perfect, but I like that they put in the effort to communicate with their vendors with it and keep that part of themselves in use. Now the kneeling down on, facing the wall, holding your ears pic @9:31 got me dying.

[@ZEROhypeallBEAST]

Love this Place! The design, the vibes, the staff and THE FOOD! I am well known in my family for having the least adventurous pallet, but I can literally eat the potstickers, the fried rice and the pork chop and the fried chicken EVERY DAY. I’ve eaten here 6/7 times ( I even had my bday dinner here ) and will be going MANY MORE times for the foreseeable future.

[@christianhansen3292]

very touching story: lovely to see the behind the scenes and personal folks who touched these guys growing up in the area.

[@JewMachine888]

His Cantonese accent is totally a "tow jue zhai" (raised in the belly child), but mad respect from a kid who grew up in SF Chinatown.

[@allyzero]

the camera cutting from the 囍 sign to the taylor swift lyrics up top on the sign of the restaurant is so iconic

[@Izziesit]

Cannot begin to explain how awe inspiring this whole video is. If you haven’t been Potluck then you don’t know the real talent behind this. Love love love loveeeeeeeeeee!!!

[@awong12388]

Great video highlighting the blend of new and old school in NYC’s Chinatown. Have been lucky enough to dine here and can confirm the food is as good as it looks!

[@badinnchobhaphand4081]

Zhan and Cory’s stories of growing up 1st generation American are so relatable. Love the parts with the parents and starting it with the friends you grew up with. Much respect, give us more content with them!

[@YourNextAmazingStory]

Loved hearing both your stories and how you're focusing on preserving Chinatown in NYC. Well done! 🙌🏽

[@RyanC11]

You both are making sure the culture stays alive. Respect to you both and wishing y'all continued success

[@missingKindergarten8]

also chinese american (born in hong kong) and grew up in brooklyn. i was able to eat at potluck club recently and absolutely loved it. everything was a 10/10 and will def be going back

[@dspserpico]

Mom, speaking to son: It’s OK, it tastes fine. Mom, speaking to journalist: *Effusive praise of son’s food and saying how tasty it is* It really doesn’t get more Chinese than this.

[@napdragon421]

The way this is made is very inspirational and it makes the audience feel close to these chefs, showing their upbringings, childhoods and histories. And for them to return back to their roots when the easiest/cheapest way is to move out of the city, gotta give them props. As a 2nd gen ABC from the west coast, this story is definitely relatable. As chinatowns are dying all over the US, this is what we need to revitalize the community and pave the way for the next generation.

[@Loveless100]

Watching this made me sentimental, but for SF and Oakland Chinatowns. The 90s and 00s were such a vibrant time and looking at them now, I can totally empathize. I wish the west coast had a renaissance like this.

[@maggiechan33]

KUDOS to Cory + Zhan. Just because many of us are professionals (assimulated into American Society), doesn't mean we should forget/cast off our roots, the struggles of our parents + those that came before us. Chinatown/s defines (both good + bad) the Chinese-American Experience.(Cantonese-American for Manhattan's Chinatown). I know Zhan + Cory will succeed because they know what is most important + are diligent, good guys.

[@dominigu1451]

this is amazing. the Cantonese speaking community in New York City is awesome, as I am also a Cantonese speaking person

[@djimpulse]

The first time I walked into Potluck, I truly felt the love. Shout out to Cory and the crew for the incredible hospitality, and one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Can’t wait to visit again soon ✌🏻❤️

[@jasonsuarez862]

So glad I waited to watch this when I had no other distractions! My grandfather was from Canton and he'd get my entire family aunts and uncles included and would go to Hoy Wong across the street from the chase on Mott St. Seeing y'all with your fam and sharing food with them and listening to the stories brought me back! The success y'all have is so well deserved!

[@TopFlightFamily]

Amazing video! Loved hearing their story. Will def be spending my dollars here. Love what they’re doing with their community. 👏🏼👏🏼

[@bigdavido82]

Love what Cory and friends are doing - can’t wait to hit this place up!

[@kanokadafi]

So Dope! Thank you for featuring Cory and the crew. I love this new wave of the younger generation being proactive and reclaiming Chinatown. It's truly inspiring & motivational, straight New York hustle!

[@karinac4555]

I love this so much!! I hope to visit their restaurant if I’m ever in NY. So happy that they’re doing their part in keeping their culture alive 🫶🏽👏🏽

[@misotiny]

Love what you guys are doing by sourcing most of your ingredients from your local mom and pops shop in the heart of chinatown. And its really true, if nobody does this, chinatown will be wiped out!!! I also love the fact you guys showed us some of the best spots to get cheap eats at! Cant wait to try those spots out and ofcourse your restaurant!!! Keep going guys!!!

[@anniewu4673]

I’ve been coming here every week for brunch or dinner for the past few months and everyone I bring LOVES it. get their chow mein, bo lor bao toast w milk tea butter and pork belly sandwich.. so good!!

[@tyler-path]

Love what these guys are doing, feeling inspired and definitely wanna check out this place when I'm out in NYC

[@Freesingskills19]

this is just so awesome. cant wait to go when im in NY again. i loved the interaction between the owners and their parents

[@lightblue8741]

love the younger gens are passionate about the cantonese culture! keep it up!!

[@thehoneycombcollecti]

I’ve been frequenting Potluck Club since opening day! The oyster mushroom rice roll noodles are my go to along side an order of salt & pepper chicken. The real golden ticket is the brunch menu because the bolo bao toast is unmatched!

[@sukimala]

i know nothing about being 🇨🇳 but i’m Cuban🇨🇺/Chinese🇨🇳 and my father would bring me to chinatown all the time since i was little and i love it .. i always feel connected through the food and when covid happened i was sick because i go at least once a week ! i’m happy to see chinatown is coming back and new things happening 🇨🇺🇨🇳❤️ .

[@maxinetuan]

These are outstanding men. Thanks for sharing their stories.

[@wendychen7152]

I speak Cantonese and I am grateful that people are making efforts to carry on the food legacy. Anyway, could you share the location of the changfun truck please😋 Really want to get changfun from there

[@stephenng760]

Elizabeth and Hester.

[@wendychen7152]

@@stephenng760 thanks!

[@lilxazn13oi]

Amazing food at Potluck Club. Great to hear their stories!

[@jimmylei4317]

Well deserved recognition and amazing story telling. Love the work you guys are doing to preserve Chinatown! ➕⛽️!! 🙏