Mexico's Secret Chinese Underworld 🇲🇽 Mexicali, Mexico

[@GarethLeonard]

THANK YOU all so much for watching this Baja Road Trip Mini Series! 🇲🇽❤If you haven't already, please SUBSCRIBE and smash that "👍" button. If you haven't seen the entire journey, start with episode #1 from Rosarito & Puerto Nuevo 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmKQnXhund-LaNk 😃

[@Magical_Thinking]

Vamos. My profile pic is of me, 49 years ago in Baja 🇲🇽. My crazy parents from Alaska took us to Mexico just about every year. It was wonderful! My father ended up retiring to Sayulita, Nayarit, but that was in the early 80’s when it was just a sleepy fishing village with one phone. Those were enchanting times in Sayulita.

[@ejohnson3131]

😍

[@juanitowalker1781]

RumOrosa! Pronounce it,just like you pronounced "rumor". 1 A....,and its at the end.

[@fideliusx5581]

You should an episode on Mexicali Tacos.

[@fluhartybrian1532]

@@Magical_Thinking as

[@johntsan742]

As a Vietnamese Chinese now living in Los Angeles, thank you for taking us along this wonderous trip. Mexicali will be on my list of places to visit, thanks again.

[@metrixalix]

come down visit

[@raymonddon8875]

dont go to mexico.. its ghetto!

[@amalia5699]

Calexico/ Mexicali gets no love! Thank you for repping my home town in such a thoughtful, fun and respectful way.

[@kevinlopez5765]

I live in Mexicali

[@ssssebastian09]

Not calexico lol only mexicali

[@kro3049]

@@ssssebastian09 Two completely different country's.

@@kro3049 That may be true, but most people from *Calexico* and other *Imperial Valley* towns consider Mexicali (and vice-versa) a part of their community because of their close ties to family, friends, education, and work. You can't mention one without the other. So I totally agree with *@Yo* mentioning both cities as one in the same sentence.

[@ssssebastian09]

@@kro3049 I KNOW THAT stoo pi.d

[@eda.g8329]

I love this. I'm Mexican and my wife is Chinese American and am proud to have my.son mixed and able to teach him if this beautiful authentic history

[@eda.g8329]

@@momochihead3638 na maybe in the past history but we love our asians

[@etejoy]

@@momochihead3638 only in the past

[@neyisoek551]

@@momochihead3638 It's like any other place, just don't go through dangerous neighborhoods, don't walk at night and don't expose yourself so much with high value things such as watches for example, if you respect this things you'll be okay in any place

[@eddo2001]

I am the opposite... a Chinese American very fortunate enough to marry a beautiful Mexican lady whom I share two tall handsome boys with.

[@despicableone4495]

you created a monster

[@rosarioborboa8561]

I was born in Mexicali. Live in Northern Alabama now. I loved living in Mexicali. Thank you. It’s a special place. Chinese food is a wonderful memory for me. Appreciate you shedding light on Cachanillas o Mexicalenses! I went backpacking as a teenager to El Cañón de Guadalupe. Beautiful oasis hot springs and cold water flowing through. Not sure what’s it’s like now. I enjoy Alabama and Tennessee hikes and backpacking now with memories of my youthful memories and smile in nature.

[@cod4bestgame]

I was at cañon de guadalupe 2 weeks ago. Beautiful place and made so many good memories, hope you get to visit home soon

[@estevanluis]

Wow tienes snapchat? 😲

[@RosaAmeliaCRUZ-yl6lt]

ROSARIO : Yo tambien soy na cido en Mexicali y vivo en El Centro,Ca. y cada fin de sema na "salgo corriendo" a CHICALI. Saludos a ud.y su familia des de Mexicali,Baja Ca. MÈXICO. ❤😂🎉😢😮😅😊 .

[@AzumaRikimaru]

as someone who is chinese/mexican, i appreciate you shining light on our culture!~

[@Moodboard39]

cool

[@drewmorg.]

Were you born in this area?

[@igorz3551]

But your name sounds indian and you speaking English wtf

[@islandvibez]

mexicans aint fond of chinese people. How does it feel to be discriminated upon?

[@gianlucaviottelo9486]

Whata nasty combination.... u must look as a freak

[@TheUltraspank]

Addional note: MEXICALI = MEXIco + CALIfornia. CALEXICO = CALifornia + mEXICO. Peace Mexico & USA!!!

[@GarethLeonard]

We have a bond that more people need to appreciate! 🤝

[@gacunahvac]

[“Puro Xicalli!”]

[@mariaangelinavasquez1000]

The Ultraspank. El nombre de Mexicali es un Acrónimo. 🌷

[@carmenperegrina2816]

Exacto! Divina mi ciudad Mexicali somos muy cálidos con los visitantes 💕

[@vietle1479]

Mexican can't keep their land 😁

[@wueroluffy4630]

I live in el centro california 10 minutes away from mexicali and I can vouch for the Chinese food in Mexicali. Since I was a little kid my family would always cross the border just for chinese food. Even now as I am an adult , when I am craving good Chinese food I head to mexicali. It just has a different taste then any other type of Chinese food.

[@josefelix2632]

Pro tip: If you ever catch a Mexican putting ketchup on fried rice nine times out of ten they are from Mexicali. Puro Cachanilla! Loved the video.

[@savasmage]

Tru shit

[@ShadowPitt]

Lol wtf I’m going to have to ask my bro in law about that one 😂

[@AnnaKBarba]

He ain't lying! Hahaha we all do that😅💕✨

[@Juicy_shydoll]

Lmao 😂 man my partner is American and and always hits me with the excuse the language but he be like who the fu** puts ketchup on fried rice 😂😂

[@edwardgreen4310]

💯💯💯💯

[@berityoung9307]

I found myself both immensely intrigued and starving after watching this!

[@ricardo_cn]

Same here!

[@OneLifeZ4]

I’ve never know such place exist would like to visit with some friends

[@RebanoTV]

Mexicali is really unique best Chinese food in regards to taste in the continent and that’s because they mix the food with mexican spices to attract a higher amount of customers that makes the food taste 💣 there’s even documentaries about it 💯

[@MyTherapyIsMakeUp]

This brought so much joy to my heart and love to see how well you show Mexicali. This video took me down memory lane as I spent so many summers in Mexicali with family. Hopefully I'll be back in Mexicali soon.

[@uliseszarate6561]

My mother is pura cachanilla born and raised! Best Chinese food in all of Mexico and even across the border : ) Oh and "extradited" is the wrong term...the Chinese were expelled from the USA, not extradited.

[@yummytummy88]

That is the history of how the Ango Saxon treat non white immergrants.

[@hananokuni2580]

@@yummytummy88 The Chinese immigrants arriving in the late 1800s to work on railroads in the US were hard workers, but the White majority there feared having a big non-White minority in the country because the Chinese would bring Chinese women to marry and have children. (The proposal for the US to annex all of Mexico during the Mexican-American War of 1846-48 was rejected for a similar reason.) After the Chinese Exclusion Act became law in 1882, some Chinese immigrants to the US left to Mexico or married local women after the Railroad to the Pacific was completed since it was no longer possible to bring over women from China for marriage.

[@aaronlohr8477]

​@@yummytummy88​and for some reason the whole world is still desperate to live with them.

[@gct436]

They were expelled from Mexico. Many of whom a couple of generations removed and didn’t speak a word of Chinese.

[@rickwagnor4416]

I've lived in Southern California for years and never even heard of many of the places in your recent Baja series. I can't wait to visit some of them myself.

[@GarethLeonard]

Thanks Rick! I hope you have a chance to visit soon!! 👊

[@tomascastillo4676]

It is said that the best Chinese food is made in Mexicali, even better that San Francisco.

[@alondraitzellemondragon220]

Yeah it is

[@eddysal1508]

I heard that too

[@josenunez964]

Why sad....it is great...and well deserving since Chinese have made mexicali home for so long

[@tomascastillo4676]

@@josenunez964 I wrote "said" not "sad".

[@josenunez964]

Got it..... I need to take a trip down to Mexicali...and try that good food then.....

[@yawen03]

La mejor comida China, gracias por dar a conocer nuestro bello Mexicali 👍❤

[@abelreyes5241]

Mi Mexicali tierra de valientes Maldito calorón Pero buena comida

[@maikosot]

The Grandmother of a dude is from Mexicaly and her very grand parents are from China and she coos a delicious Chinnese food!!!.

[@yisus3975]

@@abelreyes5241 tierra de gais

[@abelreyes5241]

@@yisus3975 quien lo dice Tu con nombre de gay

[@ItzRotso]

​@@yisus3975 y tú de dónde eres?

[@NomadShifu]

Mexicali may not be as popular as other cities in Mexico, but don't let that fool you. Mexicali is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination.

[@methemonkeyking]

Totally agree. Mexicali is safe, clean, great restaurants, and most of all, the carne asada tacos are world class.

[@CarlosRuiz-tv9kz]

Esta bien feo Mexicali la verdad.

[@3curiel]

@@methemonkeyking dude what...Mexicali is not safe and some places are clean..SOME. lol it's not that great of a city.

[@juancarlos-uv4lh]

@@CarlosRuiz-tv9kz 2/3 la verdad

[@classicdoors_MxLi.]

@@CarlosRuiz-tv9kz y quién mierdas te tiene aquí

[@lorlgd]

Mexicali is such a beautiful city, with full of history. I love the food in that place.

[@efraguerrero]

I lived in Mexicali BC for 2 years and grew up just across the border in El Centro CA and never knew about the underground Chinese world. That is so fascinating! Thanks for sharing.

[@gabbycastro6986]

Came on dude I born in Mexicali we have trip to visit Chinese basements

[@anahifans...1482]

Hola que guapo estas efra

[@magdalenaaguilera2962]

Y lo conocí cuando tenía como 2=3 años vecinaamiga de miama su esposo era chino y la llevó. Y miama ami🤗bajamos escaleras y abia luces de esas blancas y gente caminando,1dia lo comenté no me creyeron tengo 66 años y recuerdo todo🥰🥰🥰

[@magdalenaaguilera2962]

Bellísima reportaje,desde la Rumorosa hasta Mexicali, soy cachanilla muchas gracias me encanto!!!🥰🥰🥰

[@connieg3377]

I grew up in Mexicali on Madero as a kid and visited grandma during summers when I was in high school, my family used to say, they were used for drugs Opium, stay away. Love the artwork and culture preservation in the video.

[@aylincruz9531]

Who’s from Mexicali? I am 🤟I’m so happy that I saw this video fr. Made my day. Mexicali isn’t really recognized although it’s the capital city of Baja California. Legit surprised I found this video

[@claudiaa.17]

I practically grew up in mexicali. My dad would take us to eat Chinese food practically every weekend. Best Chinese food around. As far as the rumorosa goes, back then as a kid when we would go out there for the day it was only 1 lane. It was a horrible drive compared to now. Haven't been out there in years. Great video thank you. 👍

[@CaliforniaRa8er760]

Mexicali has some of the best chinese food. I live in Imperial County about 45 minutes from the border and going to Mexicali for chinese food is a MUST. I never knew about many of these places till watching this video. Very informative

[@zeitgeistx5239]

Lmao, as a Chinese person your comment is hilarious. It’s like me saying Pizza Hut has the best Italian food.

[@warrenw76]

Great video, Gareth! To clarify, the egg custard tart at 16:04 is a traditional Chinese dessert known as "daan tat". It is believed to have originated in city of Guangzhou around the 1920's and been influenced by the British introduction of their own custard tarts.

[@brightsidexchoke]

Yeah that egg tart he ate is not the Portugese tart. It's similar but the taste is not the same. I'm from Hong Kong so I know. :)

[@chefkelvincheung1421]

haha i laughed too. its an egg tart sir

[@Ru_bizzy]

That's interesting, I always figured it was a Chinese version of the Portuguese egg custard tart. Portuguese egg custard tarts tend to look bruleed or a Lil more baked than these.

[@TenchiBushi]

This is awesome! In Japan we call the meat buns niku man 肉 (niku = meat) まん(man=bun). I used to help my mom and grand ma make these when I was a kid. The same with the spring rolls. You revitalized my interest in the Baja region. I want to go there and eat! You have a fan in Northern Japan!

[@alexmadrid6043]

In Mexicali there is a Japanese restaurant called Sakura, interesting place.

[@exeidan]

Mexicali also has a considerable Japanese population with mixed cuisine restaurants. Let me know if you are ever around and need a guide 😃

[@tonyminutti5277]

Love that you went to explore the Chinese heritage of Mexicali! It’s gonna be huge in a few years and I’m glad they’re reviving La Chinesca! When you went to Valle de Guadalupe I was surprised you didn’t check out the Russian colony there and the Bibayoff wines and the food at the Samarin house, great borscht! Mexico is so diverse. And that’s what I love about it! Thanks for breaking these ignorant stereotypes of my country! One day you should check out the Italian and French towns around Mexico too! Haha

[@theresasantos6036]

Im your fan from portugal terri i saw you in the philippinrs visitportugal too

[@hueso5071]

Mexioc isn't that diverse. There are other countries much more diverse than Mexico. It only falls in the middle when it comes to diversity.

[@tonyminutti5277]

@@hueso5071 of course it’s a diverse country, it’s literally one of the most diverse countries in the world. Just because your rancho jodido is full of the same people doesn’t mean the rest of the country is the same!

[@hueso5071]

@@tonyminutti5277 you still didn't get my point. Never said it wasn't diverse. It's no where near the most diverse country in the world. Canada is more diverse than Mexico and many other countries. Most culturaly diverse countries are in Africa.

[@tonyminutti5277]

@@hueso5071 the most culturally diverse country is India by far. Mexico is literally in the top ten most diverse countries in the world. Again…just because your rancho jodido is full of the same people procreating with each other, doesn’t mean the rest of the country is like this! But go on…

[@suzanneandrade7736]

Loved this episode. I did not know why there were so many chinese in Mexicali. I visited the area many years ago for about 1 hour and was amazed by all the chinese food available. Now I get it. Thanks!!!

[@GarethLeonard]

Haha, it all makes sense now! I had no idea how deep this story went either until I started doing the research!

[@MsMtz40]

Some of the world's best Chinese food!!

[@mosslimbayter277]

The buns with mystery meat are Char Siu Bao, steamed BBQ pork buns. They can also be baked but steamed is a more tender dough. The pork (Char Siu) inside is the same as the Hong Kong style pork at 14:25 but with more sauce. The word bao means bun so saying bao bun is redundant. The tart is called Dan Ta (Egg Tart 蛋挞) My wife makes all of these.

[@Jake4595]

The egg custard at 16:14 is actually a very old dish dating back to medieval era. You can find it in other cultures too and Europe would have their own version of custard-eggs. I always like to think of it as a knight's dessert. Its awesome to see that the Chinese preserved that and made it a core dish of the cantonese tea drinking culture.

[@earlybyrds]

la comida tipica de mexicali es la comida china! fue una sorpresa para mi cuando la visite x primera vez. tambien el calor de mexicali es impresionante en junio, julio, agosto la gente de mexicali es a toda madre, algun dia volvere

[@LeahLoya]

Yay! Enjoyed watching this video. I love visiting Mexicali, especially for the food.

[@GarethLeonard]

Thank you Leah, me too! 😃

[@peternguyen2323]

It sad to hear about the discrimination of the Chinese on both side of borders. Imagine how Mexico would have advance from the strong and industrious work force that America expelled after completing the railroad lines. Leader should know how to use their human resources instead of feeding into their xenophobic fear. We are all human.

[@charlymrivera7236]

at that time (and somehow still now, but not that much) mexico was very influenced by americans... when americans expelled chinas from their country, mexico ended up doing the same, to avoid any conflict with americans.. but not everyone was bad with china in mexico, in the state of sonora, a group of native americans (yaquis) sided with chinese people and helped them, because during this times, also the mexican goverment was hunting native americans to stole their land, so when they see chinese people getting killed too, they sided with them

[@rodmosley4702]

Cut the bullshit. ASIANS in America are not marginalized in any way.

[@whiteraven69]

@@rodmosley4702 My entire identity was marginalized growing up. Recently, I learned through DNA, I am 50 % Chinese /Native American and European descent , apparently my bio father was Chinese and at the time I was born it was illegal for whites to be with Chinese. Im not sure where you are from, nor what your heritage is..nor what rock you were hiding, as recently as Covid, ..Chinese are being discriminated. It’s obvious you haven’t expereinced racism or you wouldn’t have made such a misinformed comment.

[@teddynugz]

@@rodmosley4702 easy for a MOSLEY to say 🤡

[@rodmosley4702]

@@teddynugz Yup, I said what I said.

[@terecarmona186]

Hola Gareth me gusta mucho este buen video,este hermoso viaje me trajo gratos recuerdos 😍 especialmente por la rumorosa y Mexicali; recuerdo cuando estaba joven viajaba en autobús de Tijuana donde yo nací y crecí, también manejé varias ocasiones para visitar a mis tíos, familiares y vicitamos varios restaurantes chinos 😋 ya se me antojó la comida china 😊hoy la ciudad de Mexicali está más grande y bonita y la carretera es más segura y tranquila, excelente video gracias por compartir; mi tío era locutor del canal 5 de TV, Adolfo Barahona Pavón y su programa se llamaba : " arriba corazones" lo llevo en el corazón a el mi tía abuela y mi abuelita Carmen que vivían en Mexicali, que bonitos recuerdos 😍🙏y que rico se come por ahí 🙋🏻‍♀️👌🏻👍🏻

[@msjoynatividadosoyos7655]

I love the content for today. 😊 Mexican city with twist of Chinese culture and delicasies. I love the Siomai and Siopao !😍

[@ladygoodday]

Great video! I live in the Coachella Valley, and have never been. Will definitely have to take a drive for sure!

[@sandieserrano2425]

There's a back road from Coachella area to Imperial Valley

[@tonygonzalez305]

That Asian lady in the beginning being there since the 80's and still not learning Spanish is no different than some of my family members that been in the US and not learning English

[@eddo2001]

It is the same in San Francisco Chinatown. So many old people who never learned to speak a word of English. I do not condone it but it is amazing how they survived.

[@brandonmoore2237]

Wow, so cool! I never knew there were major Chinese populations in parts of Mexico. Always fun to learn new things from your videos. Mexicali looks like an amazing city full of hidden places and old mysteries waiting to be uncovered. And the food looks pretty amazing, too!

[@mikeyballe4748]

After the Chinese helped built the railroads in the U.S. many chinese were kicked out (Chinese Exclusion Act?) Many settled in Baja California. Sorry commented too soon. This was mentioned in the video after my comment.

[@tonyminutti5277]

Mexico has a large Chinese population, Mexicali is a city proud of their Chinese heritage but you find Chinese people all over Mexico. Same with Japanese and Koreans and recently south Asians from India and Pakistan. And you also find places in Mexico that are predominantly of Italian, Spanish, French, English, German, Russian, Greek, Lebanese, and other origins in the country! Mexico had a lot of immigration from all over, even today, it’s a very diverse country than what is typically shown in US media for example and even more, Hollywood with their idiotic stereotypes.

[@lolal3853]

@@mikeyballe4748 What the guide Diego said about Mexico being racist and xenophobic is a lie. Mexico is one of the most welcoming, hospitable, nicest, kindest, inclusive and hardest working people you will ever meet in the world. Mexico is the only country in the world that will tell a complete stranger from any country, ethnicity, foreigners, immigrants and National: Mi Casa Es Tu Casa, donde comen dos comen tres and help anyone at any time from any country. Yet no one speaks of the HORROR immigrants from other countries do in Mexico and to the Mexican people. Mexico has always had invasions since our ancestors and massive immigration issues too that migrate in massive amounts to Mexico and U.S., don't work and do horrible things in Mexico and U.S.

[@carloscarlin114]

There are around 1m of Mexicans of east asian descent in Mexico as well as most Mexicans having traces of asian DNA coming from the time when both the Philippines and Mexico were the same Spanish Viceroyalty (New Spain), Novohispanos (colonial times Mexicans) and Filipinos would travel between both regions on the Manila-Acapulco galleon.

[@tonyminutti5277]

@@carloscarlin114 the states of Guerrero, Nayarit and coastal Jalisco (especially in the town of San Francisco) has a lot of people with origins in the Philippines! Especially from this time of the Nao de China voyage.

[@Jim-bs8ln]

Your Baja series was FANTASTIC! 👍🏼

[@pabloguerra3028]

Great video...so many great unknown destinations so close to the US border.. that most people dont know about . I listen online a radio station from Mexicali Mexico..in Spanish FM Globo..love their music. When I listen..people from other parts of Mexico place their greetings even from Central Mexico they listen to the station online. So Mexicali is definetely a special place. hope to visit soon.

[@JGERA78]

Awesome. I hope to go check out Mexicali in near future. The Mexicali underground reminds me a lot of the Seattle underground that I took a tour of many years ago. The two cities actually have a Chinese connection in common.

[@Magical_Thinking]

Wow! What an interesting story. I knew there were Chinese people living in Baja but I had no idea about the underground world. Can’t wait to see the finished refurb of Chinatown in Mexicali.

[@Taio_Rise]

awesome really enjoyed this.All the way from Australia

[@iovannito]

Daaaamn your Portuguese accent 😍!! I’m Mexican living in China but lived in Portugal so, that was a great accent haha 😛

[@penelope.1904]

man as a young kid I would always go with my abuela from tj to mexicalii on the gray hound. in the mid 90's that road was way scarier. as a kid we always went to mexicalii to visit family in the dead of summer for some reason. seeing this video made me want to plan a trip to visit with my sisters. SD to mexicalii.

[@nio107]

My dad worked in a market called "El Ahorro" owned by a chinesse man, he says one time he was able to enter one of the unknown doors there, and it was an elevator that goes down and goes to the tunels, he says the tunels were kilometers long that you cant see where they go or where they would finish, but he didnt risk to enter more deeply, he went back out. As told by him, there is like another small city beneath us. And that market wasnt even close to La Chinezca.

[@karlasosa5304]

Damn the food looks good. I didn't know there were Chinese people living in Mexicali this is very interesting. I will totally go check it out. Thanks for making this video!

[@normhmoo]

Gareth. Thank you for your videos of Baja. I live in SoCal and because of your videos I decided to visit southern Utah and boy was it beautiful. I always visit Tijuana but now I wanna go to Mexicali. Damn it, you did again. Congrats for the great videos

[@RaymondHng]

7:52 That's a spring roll 春卷 (chēun gyún in Cantonese, rollos primaveras in Spanish) found in many dim sum restaurants. They contain minced pork, shredded carrot, bean sprouts and other vegetables, not chop suey. 9:03 重温百年辉煌历史今胜昔 Relive a hundred years of glorious history 喜看中墨友谊圣火代代传 Love to see the torch of Sino-Mexico friendship passed on from generation to generation Use of Simplified Chinese Characters instead of Traditional Chinese Characters means the people are recent immigrants. 14:48 燒賣 (Siu Mai in Cantonese) is usually made with pork. This variation takes the shrimp out of 蝦餃 (hā gáau in Cantonese) and substitutes it for the pork. 15:08 餃子 (gáau jí) or just pot stickers 16:12 蛋撻 (daahn tāat) 20:00 炒粉 (chow fun), not "chow mein"

[@italove1986]

Great video Gareth! I want to go visit Mexicali now. Keep these videos coming! I'd love for you to visit all the little cities & gems you find with the food & scenery in beautiful Mexico. Have you ever been to where they make Mescal & go on a taste tour In Mexico? I'd love to see it! Thx for the content.

[@eduardochavacano]

Mexico is such a great place to vlog about food, no need to feign enthusiasm or hype the mundane like what some vloggers have to do when they travel in places with Damaged Cultures. Those are indeed great Chinese food items.

[@anahifans...1482]

Hi ✋ handsome

[@drivenjoe91352]

Been going to Mexicali for years, tacos de borrego are a must try. Mexicali has a lot to offer for all and people there are so welcoming🤙

[@marcoaguilera04]

I love this I never thought I’d see a video in this area my family is from la rumorosa and Mexicali, crazy to see it being appreciated

[@ILiftPlants]

Dude, your production and editing team is amazing!

[@robertlee4172]

20:26....Chow fun (literal translation stir fried noodle), is traditionally mixed with oil, soya sauce, scallions and beef. Sometimes with bean sprouts. Chow mein is made with wheat flour, while chow fun is made with rice flour.

[@8Jah]

Awesome video.. Love watchin you fellas!

[@elladee2311]

I'd love to know more about the supernatural beings at the highway 😃 Yum love egg tarts!😋 Beautiful, thank you for sharing about the Chinese community🏯⛩ in Mexicali, very insightful! Awesome series 😃👍

[@franciscosaldana2879]

Gareth, l grew up in Mexicali in the 1950's and in those days La Chinesca was in its heyday, the streets in LA Chinesca were full of restaurants and there was even a consulate from Nationalist China, read Taiwan today. The Chinese restaurants of Mexicali compared very well to the ones in San Francisco according to Gourmet megazine, very good content.

[@davidcompensa3424]

It's great that you visit Baja and see it's a great place to have fun eat and get to know

[@MonsterPig007]

Yes!!! Gareth, you really have travelled deeper! I have told so many people that the best Chinese food is in Mexicali and people think I'm crazy. I've been to all of the restaurants mentioned in your video but my favorite is El Rincon de Panchito on Benito Jaurez. It's my favorite Chinese restaurant in the world! No joke and I've been to Beijing. Cheers.

[@JL-co3es]

EL RINCÓN DE PANCHITO HANDS DOWN THE BEST

[@dougsmuaythai]

Such an intersting history of Chinese immigration to Mexicali. Many locals still have Chinese surnames such as Wong, Chong, Chen, etc.

[@TheRudeloco13]

Carnal, I totally agree with you..best comida china in the world...and don't forget sip it with a cold caguama roja...

[@MonsterPig007]

@@TheRudeloco13 Siempre Carnal.

[@dougsmuaythai]

@@TheRudeloco13 me da hambre pensando en la comida. Hay varios lugares en Tijuana, pero no se compara con la comida china en Mexicali. Saludos

[@RUBEN909R]

Hitting all the 🔥 spots Thanks for sharing our neck of the woods For those that live here close by in the states

[@cebuafterhours]

Thanks for sharing an interesting trip and a little bit of the behind the scenes.

[@GarethLeonard]

Thanks for following along 😃

[@aureliotorres3150]

The old rumorosa road,was the dangerous road in Mexico, now it's a beauty, safe as any road in the world. great video, love it.thanks brother.best of luck .

[@punx087]

my family are the ones behind you celebrating my grandmother's 86th birthday

[@Pauleazy420]

Wow!! This is so interesting. Im going to have to visit one of these days!

[@AlfredoMartinezA]

Here is cool story: I am from Mexicali and I still live here in the hottest city in Mexico. When I was 19 or 20 years old me and my friend were hanging out at downtown when we were out of a bar an old man asked us if we would want to take him a ride to his home but first he were going to a secret bar and we could go with him. We accepted it (sounds weird now, but in the 80's not so much). There was an old building without any sign outside, we entered, and a security guard said hi to our new friend and he explained to him that we were with him. We went up 3 floors with a guard in every entrance, then we entered a big, elegant, super fashion clandestine casino. It was administrated by Chinese people, and it was full of politicians and wealthy Mexicali people playing a rare sort of games (not a regular casino, there were Chinese cards, and instead of chips there were small pieces like domino pieces, or at least that’s the way I remember it). Our host told us that all we will consume would be free, we take advantage of that, and we ate, drank, and smoked like if there’s not tomorrow. Several hours later we drop off our new best friend to his home (a very big luxury mansion) and he was very thankful with us and told us to call him later to help us in any way he could. We never called him, and we never saw him again. But that night, damn, was a unique night for two boys just trying to have some fun.

[@ghostfreak777]

I'm honored that u made this video❗❗ I'm less than 2 hrs away & been coming here ever since I was a kid & its A TRUE Gem❗❗ MANY people I know r from there & gotta try the tacos❗❗

[@cesarmeraz1450]

Lived in Mexicali for eight years and crossed the boarder everyday to Calexico California for one year. Very high speed city and amazing eateries and Cagumas talways hit the spot in those steaming hot days! Beautiful women In Mexicali, some of the most Beautiful women in Mexico! That’s why they are called…. Mexicali Rose! Living in a boarder city like Mexicali is party party party and the reason is you are always celebrating many holidays, even our traditional holidays, like Thanksgiving, 4th of July, Halloween and TacoTuesdays!! JK. Thanks Gareth for visiting a city welled missed! Mexicali Baja California! PS they also have a great Baseball team!

[@elisaperez7197]

I was born in Mexicali, and I can say that we celebrate Halloween and just some people celebrate thanksgiving, but we don’t celebrate the 4 of July, and the Tuesday taco as you say. USA celebrates 5 de Mayo which is a Mexican holiday.

[@moxie7176]

Mexicali Rose 💗💗💗

[@itsmarianalpz]

Mexicali!!🎉 Wow thanks for visiting us! I’m Mexican American which it’s pretty common in Mexicali I live here and love it here, no podría dejar a mi gente por un sueño Americano ❤

[@kevinmahoney7389]

I like how you mentioned the Portuguese style of egg tart on how it is seared, they have that style in Macau and of course it has spread to Hong Kong and regions of the world with significant Cantonese diaspora. I can give you some fire egg tart recommendations that are large and seared in the SGV if you are interested!

[@Ru_bizzy]

Yeah I don't think he knew they're different. I actually didn't know the history of why Chinese ate the non-Portuguese version until I read the comments.

[@SOLIDSNAKE.]

Wow! I was born there I grew up there and the Rocky house I use to go there as a kid all the time! Wow at 10:52 I was there every Sunday growing up with my grandma! Wow what a trip!

[@stevechoi6491]

Being a native San Diegan, TJ has always been known to have very good Chinese food.

[@danielclooney6248]

Fascinating video Gareth. Love finding out which cultures immigrated where.

[@mikey05]

Grew up across the border of Mexicali in El Centro and Calexico. Loved going to Mexicali with my family when I was younger. Some of the best Mexican and Chinese food. Especially Chinese food. As I got older, love adventuring out around the markets, malls, bars, clubs, etc. still to this day, I tell people that some of the best Chinese food comes from Mexicali. Loved your episode!! awesome!!

[@jjf414]

My friend! Been researching La Chinesca as part of a history project and it's been very difficult to get any real visuals, cultural flavor, or Mexican sentiment about the place. This was such a nice survey, and very enjoyable to watch!

[@d2v219]

Another great video. Always entertaining with a dash of education…..love it 😎

[@MatteaandChris]

We loved the video! Intriguing, great story telling and amazing drone footage. Thank you for sharing

[@lizcee405]

Puro Cachanilla! So happy my home town is getting some attention! The food is always amazing!💕🇲🇽

[@SOLIDSNAKE.]

Yoooo

[@OneLifeZ4]

As an Asian America we don’t even know such place exist in Mexico, America media only show us the negative about Mexico. Glad to see this

[@SHARKCITY14]

Hola cachanilla Preciosa 😘⚘

[@SlimJim3082]

What is cachanilla?

[@SHARKCITY14]

@@SlimJim3082 people who are from baja california 💪😎🇲🇽

[@alejandraahmed1177]

Thanks for sharing. My mother and grandparents were involved in an accident in the arimorosa. Head on collision, but thankfully they survived this occurred in the 1950s.

[@deborahhardy4445]

Yummy! That Chinese dinner looked so great.So modern and such fresh looking ingredients! I used to live in Palm Springs area for 20+ years and visited Mexicali often.Mexicans living in the area were from Mexicali/had families there.Many went there for dr, dentist, rx, vets, grocery shopping, places to eat,etc.Many were also building homes there with money earned in Coachella Valley or building homes for other family members.Everyone raved about great Chinese food and knew of old time subterranean life.

[@luperamos6986]

Do a story on the best tacos! Only in Mexicali!!

[@Zapp760]

Palm springs is my cityy 🙌

[@coyoboyo]

Thanks for this video! I live just a little bit away and have been through Mexacali hundreds of times without knowing about the Chinese culture there. Definitely stopping at some of these spots next time. I would love to see you and @serpentza come back together for a food and culture tour. Just awesome.

[@gracietarango9384]

So AWESOME!!! Thank You, never knew this ever existed!!!!! 🙌🏼❤️

[@GarethLeonard]

Thanks for watching Gracie! 🙏

[@dez-m]

One of the most, if not most, beautiful places I have ever been. The Nayarit Llamada is perfect.

[@ronthelawyer]

luvin me some Mexicali Chinese food!

[@GarethLeonard]

This place is so unique!! 😀

[@babyboifilms9869]

This is a beautiful video well made tons of information that I didn't even know , me being a citizen of mexicali I fully appreciate you putting all this information about our town so the rest of the world can see

[@fabiancarr4499]

Thanks a lot Garrett now I have to go to Mexicali 😅😂 another great video btw!!

[@sylviamoreno687]

This video ended up on my feed and I loved it. You have a new subscriber 👍💯

[@jovelmanuelfelomino3569]

Great travel and exploring enjoy and have a safe trip.. ❤️🇵🇭

[@GarethLeonard]

It was such a good trip! Thanks for following along! 🙏

[@jovelmanuelfelomino3569]

@@GarethLeonard my pleasure sir

[@crookedlilsmile]

Thanks for coming down to the city "que me vio nacer" (where I was born.) I live in Imperial CA, about 20 miles north from the border. Big shout out to the two tour guys.

[@oraciovieyra8711]

Si is a Beautiful City been there in Mexicali few years back love his people very Friendly and the Fiestas on Christmas and New Year best time to spent the time

[@ELBEASTMAN626BP]

Used to love road tripping to Mexicali from the SGV with my family when I was a kid. 99/00s haven’t been back since then but still have friends/family living in xicali

[@rossanisisima]

En la descripción del video sería de gran ayuda poner los nombres de los lugares en donde comiste. Yo visitare Mexicali para hacer un curso de ¨Sandboarding¨ en las dunas y muero por conocer la ciudad. Gracias Gareth!

[@chadatobeer4649]

Bienvenida te recomiendo el rincon de panchito nunca falla la comida china ahi 👌👌🇲🇽

[@ernestobalcazar5308]

El primer lugar se llama Chieng's Bistro, después fueron al Imperial Garden. Otras buenas opciones, son El Rincón de Panchito, China House, China Town, Good Luck y Jade

[@pedritobernal9017]

Restaueant Imperial Garden.

[@miriamvallejo4727]

Otra buena opción es comer tacos de carne asada en Asadero Acatlán 👌

[@cecita7458]

Imperial Garden es muy bueno, pero el mejor es china house

[@AntonioGomez-js7sx]

Good stuff !!!

[@SoCalCode3]

Takes a lot of guts to visit Mexicali at this time of the year! I remember first time i went to Mexicali I couldn't help but notice all the Chinese restaurants in town. Great food and definitely had a blast. La Lucerna hotel was a must if you are planning to stay in Mexicali for a few days. El Sume was a good place for beers especially if you are into craft beer.

[@fbnmndz]

I assume you say that cause its hot ? im going in mid october lol

[@SoCalCode3]

@@fbnmndz Yes, this time of year it averages about 100+ degrees. If you are not use to the heat you will be miserable.

[@carloscarlin114]

@@fbnmndz yeah mid summer it is usually above 110°f during the day, this year we even got up to 123°f for a couple of days, in October it can go up to mid 90s to even 100 in the afternoon but nights and early mornings are around mid 70s to low 80s

[@pedritobernal9017]

Lucerna, no la Lucerna , como el nombre de la ciudad suiza. Lucerna Hotel.

[@16nowhereman]

I've stayed at the Lucerna hotel, nice hotel. The Marriot and Holiday Inn hotels are in a great location of Mexicali too.

[@volcom05345]

El Centro born and raised. I know this Chinese food very well. Im surprised to see people are taking trips out to Mex for Chinese food. That's awesome!

[@jpdavis6042]

I love to explore Cinatown's and know Mexicali fairly well. A lot of beautiful mixed Chinese Mexicana's in Mexicali. LA Chinatown was my main hangout and the mysterious Yi Mi Loo's up the street from Philippe's was my main spot.

[@cuatrotrescarpinteria]

It's been a year since you posted this video and I just watched now. Just wanna say thank you for visiting the city, and for letting other people know about it.

[@eduardoserrano9435]

hey brother i'm glad you had a good time here in mexicali, therre is a lot to see and some good beaches to exploredeeper not far from here, maybe next time you come, by the way how did this extreme wheater treat you? lol

[@lourdesrivera5065]

Great great video. Alot of stuff I didn't know about Mexicali. I asked for this video about a week ago. Wish you could have shown more stuff but for a couple of days that was cool. Yes it gets really hot right so maybe a spring trip maybe better.lol. THANKS for the fun

[@bwong77]

@15:09: call them POT STICKERS. Calling them gyoza runs the risk of "lumping all Asians as one". @20:00 this is BEEF CHOW FUN, made of flat wide rice noodles. Chow mein is pan fried egg noodles, the thin kind. No hate here just FYI. I really do appreciate your content! As a Chinese-American, I had no idea Chinese folks who worked on the railworld in the US moved/exiled to Mexicali. Thank you for making this part of your Baja Road Trip Mini Series Gareth!

[@diaryocta960]

Chow Fun means fried rice. The correct one is Chow Kway Teow

[@petermorales987]

Man, my parents grew up in Mexicali. I’d be there every other year to visit family, heard the stories of the these underground tunnels. Thought they were just stories, but seeing this to show me that is true is pretty dope. Much love for this video, love learning this history.

[@CobaltHaze]

I never knew about the Chinese in Mexicali, very interesting!

[@GarethLeonard]

Right!? It blew my mind when I first started researching it for this trip. Such a unique aspect of Mexican culture and history!

[@lolal3853]

@@GarethLeonard What the guide Diego said about Mexico being racist and xenophobic is a lie. Mexico is one of the most welcoming, hospitable, nicest, kindest, inclusive and hardest working people you will ever meet in the world. Mexico is the only country in the world that will tell a complete stranger from any country, ethnicity, foreigners, immigrants and National: Mi Casa Es Tu Casa, donde comen dos comen tres and help anyone at any time from any country. Yet no one's speaks of the HORROR immigrants from other countries do in Mexico and to the Mexican people. Mexico has always had invasions since our ancestors and massive immigration issues too that migrate in massive amounts to Mexico and U.S., don't work and do horrible things in Mexico and U.S.

[@edgarcardenas6823]

@@lolal3853 the guide is not wrong…back in the day they were racist to this day it still exist in Mexico. Mexico is not perfect just like any other country.

[@lolal3853]

@@edgarcardenas6823 Try again I'm sure you're not Mexican. I suggest you travel and see what goes on in the world. You obviously don't know anything about Mexico's history and culture and how much Mexico's been dealing with invasions and mass immigration issues from bad opportunist people that don't work and do horrible things in Mexico and to the Mexican people since the beginning of time, nothing new here. Still till this day Mexico is one of the most invaded and looted countries in the world Mexico is the only country in the world that has kept it's prehistoric history, culture, traditions, gastronomy, especially all of the American Continent, other's have lost it completely because they are ashamed of it, they treat their people, their indigenous people and foreigners like crap

[@lolal3853]

@@RobZavAguilera23 Government and Politics are crap around the world. Mexican government attitude and actions have nothing to do with the values of the Mexican people.

[@adrianway3647]

Being from Calexico/Mexicali thanks for letting people know about our hometown it is a great place to be and EAT haha. awesome vid