I Went Exploring in LA Chinatown and Found These Hidden Gems

[@YellowProductions]

✅ You might enjoy watching my tour of Little Tokyo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKKlgZieibdma68 ✅ Or the rest of my series on Los Angeles: kzbin.info/aero/PLOVadUHX1B-KpaZG7l8jjT6Hjmg3SUFgP

[@bmariner7319]

As I am watching this, flooded with memories of our time in LA Chinatown during the late 70s and early 80s, I can't help but feel a profound sense of nostalgia. Our family's business was more than just a livelihood; it was a cornerstone of our lives, filled with bustling energy and cherished moments. I remember the days when tourists would flock to our establishment, eager to experience the vibrant atmosphere of Chinatown. The streets were alive with activity, and our business was always bustling with customers. It was a time of excitement and possibility, and I felt so proud to be a part of it all. Weekends were particularly special for me. While my family worked tirelessly, I would eagerly hang out in the shop, soaking in the sights and sounds of Chinatown. The aroma of delicious food wafting through the air, friends and families enjoying their time together-it was a scene straight out of a storybook. But what I remember most fondly are the moments spent with my best friends. We would explore every nook and cranny of Chinatown, discovering hidden gems and indulging in the rich culture that surrounded us. The Chinese Kung Fu movie theaters were our sanctuary, where we would lose ourselves in the magic of cinema for hours on end. Those were the days. Now, as I reflect on those cherished memories, I find myself longing to go back in time, if only for a moment. To relive those carefree days, surrounded by the warmth and familiarity of Chinatown, would be a dream come true. Though our family business may be a thing of the past, the memories we created together will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience the magic of Chinatown, and for instilling in me a love for our heritage that continues to this day.

[@scottman895]

LA's Chinatown looks quite impressive! I like all the mix of historical architecture, numerous shops, and great food places!

[@jameshiga8077]

Hi Chris. Thank you for the walking tour. I agree that you should check out all the shops, especially the restaurants. Sometimes I have found some great places with delicious items. Take care.

[@angelicasoup638]

I haven’t been to the Chinatown in 10 years big changed.Thank you for your hard working videos.

[@gumerzambrano]

Thanks for coming up all the way from Irvine to film content (: I don't think I would drive that far south. Have a great day Chris (:

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Gumer.. only so much stuff to see in the OC 😀

[@BallisticBBQ]

Hop Louie closed way before COVID hit; it's very sad because it's such a fantastic building. If you'd like to see some neat Chinatown history that not many know about, there's a video on the PBS SoCal KZbin channel called "Chinatown Punk Wars | Artbound | Season 14, Episode 1 | PBS SoCal" that is worth watching. Interesting and, at times, funny.

[@zatarra235fr]

I love your presentation 😇🫶🪭 I used go to Chinatown twice a month to go eat at Kim chuy restaurant located in far east plaza .. thanks for this video I have also learned few things .. by the way , on college street just north of hill st , there used to be Bruce Lee dojo , what is now a pharmacy .. cheers matey 💯🪭😇

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks amir

[@IronMkT682]

Wow the Saigon Plaza looks so neat. Never knew about it, but now I do thanks to your video! Thanks Chris!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks. I've always seen it from the street but never walked in until the day I made this video 😀

[@dtna]

Please do not keep any valuables in your car around there. Several cars are broken into around L.A. Chinatown. My friend's grandfather started "New Chinatown" in Los Angeles.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks for the tip

[@NostalgiaMan]

I was just in China town in NYC but this looks pretty cool also. Hey Chris if you are ever in NYC go to a Chinese place called Wo Hop restaurant. It is awesome.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks for the tip on Wo Hop!

[@MitchellBPYao]

And you thought these places have gangsters

[@gregarizmendez5275]

Awesome video . I grew up going here. I love the wing wa hing gift store.

[@gilbertocarmona6295]

Nice place, fantastic day (no clouds in the sky!)

[@helenstratigos4862]

Love it! 🏮

[@oSnapMillerTime]

Is it always sunny like that?

[@cami_ille]

It's often sunny, yes. Sometimes there will be a marine layer coming in that makes it foggy or overcast. SoCal has a reputation for having very little rain.

[@YellowProductions]

I'd say it's sunny like this about 300 days a year

[@mkho0505]

would love a video on SGV area

[@peanutbutterrobot]

Haven't been there since 2008. Sad to see so many changes, but still looks nice.

[@mingchenwei1978]

Fun fact: Hop Louie was used as an area for filming Beverly Hills Ninja (1997) starring Chris Farley. The scene features a ninja going undercover as a hibachi chef to gather information on a Counterfeiter. It’s very funny and wacky, I really recommend it. Although the scene was supposed to take place in little Tokyo, they decided to film in Chinatown instead.

[@YellowProductions]

Neat

[@Puppetgirl93]

What were in those plastic kritter keeper containers at some of the booths at 16:08

[@artvandellay4088]

Your a Hidden Gem!

[@YellowProductions]

Awww

[@allenpaul102]

Another thing to keep in mind if you do use the street metered parking, the meter maids are very quick to give you a ticket. I mean within 5 mins of time expiring.

[@YellowProductions]

Yeah. They're ruthless!

[@geogent6655]

Used to order dim sum from the walk up window at Grandview Gardens restaurant all the time and threw more coins in the "wishing fountain" than I can count...

[@charlesswitzer8378]

Taking my first trip to LA next March, and Chinatown is a long-standing must-see for me. Thanks for this tour!

[@YellowProductions]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@charlesswitzer8378]

@@YellowProductions Thanks! I am going through all of your LA videos 🙂

[@YellowProductions]

Sweet!

[@roachtoasties]

Obstetricians look at your eyes (15:30)? That's news to me. You meant opticians, but they mainly help customers with eyewear, and work with an optometrist . I once went into the live poultry place (13:25) and tried to take a picture. The worker or owner there got mad at me (No pictures! No pictures). I just left. L.A.'s Chinatown is kind of lacking, but it is what it is. There's always Philippe's down Ord Street if you're not in the mood for Chinese food.

[@YellowProductions]

Hah. Yes.. opticians! 😀

[@Progressive2024]

Winnie the Pooh, even Xi is in Chinatown 3:35

[@WillieVega-q6k]

It looks empty !!!!!!! What happened to the people???????

[@cheerios4canaries]

The best authentic Chinese food is definitely in the SGV 😅❤

[@YellowProductions]

Mmmm

[@galileykwong7017]

It is better to travel using Amtrak to L.A.

[@YellowProductions]

Better than what? 😀 If you're doing LA to San Diego the Amtrak is a great option

[@zacharywood4450]

Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown.

[@2-old-Forthischet]

Don't go into your favorite restaurant's kitchen there. You've been warned.

[@eddie9099]

You need to go to the San Gabriel Valley if you want authentic Chinese food.

[@YellowProductions]

For sure

[@helenstratigos4862]

Love it! 🏮