Harry Smith Goes Inside New York City’s Historic Chinatown

Inspired by the Winter Olympics, NBC’s Harry Smith took a trip to Chinatown to visit one of New York’s most vibrant areas. Although there were pandemic restrictions in place in Beijing that prevented the athletes from experiencing local culture, Chinese culture is alive and well in New York City.

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Harry Smith Goes Inside New York City’s Historic Chinatown

[Ange-nsbe]

Beautiful, this reporter was so respectful.

[blahblaahblaah]

I have so many fond memories of Chinatown. I used to go every weekend with my grandparents. For me, Chinatown was my childhood. I live near Flushing, Queens now, and while it is the largest Chinatown in NYC, there's a slight language barrier for me. I'm a Cantonese speaker, and a lot of people in Flushing speak Mandarin over Cantonese, while Chinatown consists of mostly Cantonese speakers. Still, both are equally amazing for me.

[Vablonsky]

That "veggie" in question is, in Cantonese, called "see gwa." And, it often goes by "Chinese okra" in English. It is typically stir fried. Usually with a protein. Almost always beef. It's not a restaurant dish. So, that see gwa with beef is invariably eaten at home. I have fond memories of eating it. Have been eating it since I was a boy. But, now, I don't make it a lot. Because prepping the see gwa can be time consuming. You have to scrape off the rough layer of skin and scrape down the ridges so the exterior is more or less smooth. I have never bitten into it raw like Harry and Francis did. And, I've never heard of anyone doing so before. That was quite eye opening.

[sporksoffury]

Harry Smith joined NBC in NYC in 2011, and in 11 years, he's acting like he'd never been to one of the biggest Chinatowns in the US, never tasted dao fu fa, never seen Chinese okra, and gets Po Wing Hong's name wrong, despite spending time in there, seeing the name of the store that's been in NYC for decades, and post production narration and editing? LOL then he goes on to say Chinatown is not what it once was due to the virus, like some western ghost town? Dude, you never went when it was booming, full of diversity, culture, people from all walks of life, their struggles, and hardships, the glitz and glamour of the banquet and weddings. 4:54 "one of the reasons why we live in our cities is the diversity, omg!" it took you 11 years, a pandemic, and your producers wanting to do a puff piece to go to Chinatown. Go back and do it right.

[brightsidexchoke]

They should've taken him to Flushing. I heard that part of town is popping nowadays. Can't wait to visit next month!

[frankvelez]

China Town in Chicago is not the same! It's so SAD! 🙏🇱🇷

[kennethchongweithart]

That was a loofah...peel the outer skin and slice it into wedges...stir fry with garlic and egg...yummmm

[violetviolet]

2:30 Vegetable Identification: In the United States it's called Luffa Gourd ( _Luffa acutangula_ ). The secret is to eat it while it's in a younger stage and hasn't made seeds or become fibrous. You can cook it and sauté it. It's like zucchini but without the bitterness and way better.

[joosunkmybattleship]

Harry it was wonderful seeing you interview with utmost respect. But that female reporter sure tried to fast track it at the end no?

[DD-srxm]

I think very little of these mornings shows but kudus to Mr Smith and the producers for taking the time to try to normalise Chinatown again in the face of americas dirty little secret … racism.

[heic]

"I am about 40% by body weight noodle".... Touche my man,

[pauloszetarinielli]

Can Harry report on Dim Sum, He's great with chopsticks 😂🎉🎉🎉🎉

[yugioht]

That veggie was actually Chinese okra. Always had it never changed.

[lupechacon-florez]

Please do an episode on Queens Chinatown. That is the biggest Chinatown we have thank you.

[mellow-jello]

As a Chinese Canadian, I recommend Flushing, as close to 20 years ago visiting there, it is truly authentic of the Chinese experience without going to China, comparable to Markham, Ontario in Canada.

[chriscaughey]

How cool! I love Chinese and Japanese cooking too.

[tooreal]

Chinatown is amazing but if the city goes forward and put four more homeless shelter and the world's tallest jail in the heart of chinatown, Chinatown will be history.

[geoffdb]

We are not America without Chinatown in many of our big cities.

[lauriey]

The Chinese have been providing affordable food and comfort for citizens all over the US

[JJBOSTONSKATING]

Have been to Hwa Yuan once and it’s way overhyped, including the sesame noodle, which is also subpar, noodle too thick, sauce too oily, and they stage the presentable eaters downstairs and stuffed the so-so ones upstairs. So watch out where you will be seated next time you’re there. More than 50% of Chinatown restaurants can make you a better version of the sesame noodles.