What’s on the plate?
Whole fish, stir fry vegetables, fried rice, and corn on the cob
Most Chinese immigrants in Mississippi came from a district in south China called Sze Yap, and they came not to settle for good but to earn money to take back home to China. The initial work on plantations did not yield financial success, so many turned to opening and running grocery stores. The first Chinese grocery likely appeared in the 1870s. Fourteen Delta counties accounted for over ninety percent of the Mississippi Chinese population in 1960.
Many Chinese grocery stores have closed because of the prevalence of larger, chain grocery stores and because families have dispersed and children no longer wish to inherit the family store. Those who have remained often run Chinese restaurants serving barbecue as well as Cantonese fare.
Read more about the Mississippi Delta Chinese community and their food traditions:
‘Delta Wok’ talk to explore the Mississippi Delta Chinese culinary legacy
Delta Wok explores the intersections of food, storytelling and the life of the Mississippi Delta Chinese community.
