Chinatownies is an online magazine of Chinese food, culture, immigrant life and commentary about all the ways in which these intersect. I got interested in writing and thinking about Chinese food after working on some stories about Chinatowns and Chinese restaurants for the Los Angeles Times – how stories about Chinese food could tell stories about cities, demographic change, people and families.
My friend Reno Ong and I launched the site in 2013 and we have published two issues. I recruited writers, illustrators and photographers, designed the logo, created an infographic, edited five writers, produced all the pieces on the back end (WordPress) and wrote an essay. I also relied on the donated time of a bunch of friends. We pay nothing, earn nothing, and do it for fun, investing weekends and weeknights. It’s a work in progress.
Frank Shyong is a writer, speaker, columnist, & podcaster exploring Los Angeles culture & its intersections. 