Tradition of Jews Eating Chinese Food on Christmas Began on the Lower East Side

[Guno צְבִי]

Jews eating Chinese food on Christmas is a tradition forged long ago in the bowels of the Lower East Side.

To many turn-of-the-century Eastern European newcomers, Chinese cuisine was somewhat familiar to their own. As the Yiddish Book Center points out, both culinary styles favor “chicken broth, lots of garlic and onions, vegetables cooked to a melting softness, and sweet-and-sour flavors reminiscent of those of Ashkenazic cooking.” Plus, there was a Kosher appeal of sorts. Since Chinese cuisine is light on dairy ingredients, there was little threat of mixing milk and meat.

Yet, not until 1959 would there be a specific restaurant that offered this marriage of Kosher Chinese food. At around that time, Solomon Bernstein reportedly left his father’s butcher business on Ludlow Street, where he and his three brothers worked, to start Bernstein-on-Essex. Schmulka Bernstein’s – nicknamed after his father – operated out of 135 Essex Street. Armed with the slogan “where kashrut is king and quality reigns,” the eatery was first established as a Kosher delicatessen. But in 1959, Bernstein began offering Cantonese-style favorites alongside the more traditional fare.

https://www.boweryboogie.com/2020/1...zNuu0Jju-ZCsXzvDpG3tREubSLkWhq89iWCUgV00BIAbg

 

[ThatOwlWoman]

Thanks, I always wondered about that! In the neighborhood where I grew up everything was closed on Christmas so the Jewish families would get their Chinese food the day before. In later years the tradition started to include going to the casino.

 

[Nomad]

I kinda thought that it was because the Chinese didn't celebrate Christmas either and as such their restaurants were open on Christmas too, making their food the only option, so it became a regular thing.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

I only heard of it when I watched Seinfeld. not a lot of jewish folks in suburbia Dallas, Texas.

 

[saltydancin]

I kinda thought that it was because the Chinese didn't celebrate Christmas either and as such their restaurants were open on Christmas too, making their food the only option, so it became a regular thing.

Where else were they supposed to eat out at if all the Christian restaurants were closed ?

 

[Nomad]

Where else were they supposed to eat out at if all the Christian restaurants were closed ?

I think the post I was replying to said Chinese restaurants were also closed on Christmas so the Jews got their Chinese food the day before.

I was just saying that I thought the Chin restaurants were open on Christmas, even though they apparently were not.

 

[saltydancin]

I think the post I was replying to said Chinese restaurants were also closed on Christmas so the Jews got their Chinese food the day before.

I was just saying that I thought the Chin restaurants were open on Christmas, even though they apparently were not.

Some Chinese restaurant places were open, other places were obviously closed. Just depended on location.

 

[Nomad]

Some Chinese restaurant places were open, other places were obviously closed. Just depended on location.

Well, we're talking about a tradition that began back in the early 20th century, probably in the 1920's, so unless you were around back then and living in NYC, it would be pretty hard to say that with a large degree of assurance.

I was just guessing.

 

[saltydancin]

Well, we're talking about a tradition that began back in the early 20th century, probably in the 1920's, so unless you were around back then and living in NYC, it would be pretty hard to say that with a large degree of assurance.

I was just guessing.

More like a number of times during the 60's, 70's, 80's, & 90's in Miami Beach & a couple other towns. Have only visited NYC & never in the fall, winter or spring.

 

[cloud9]

Jews eating Chinese food on Christmas is a tradition forged long ago in the bowels of the Lower East Side.

To many turn-of-the-century Eastern European newcomers, Chinese cuisine was somewhat familiar to their own. As the Yiddish Book Center points out, both culinary styles favor “chicken broth, lots of garlic and onions, vegetables cooked to a melting softness, and sweet-and-sour flavors reminiscent of those of Ashkenazic cooking.” Plus, there was a Kosher appeal of sorts. Since Chinese cuisine is light on dairy ingredients, there was little threat of mixing milk and meat.

Yet, not until 1959 would there be a specific restaurant that offered this marriage of Kosher Chinese food. At around that time, Solomon Bernstein reportedly left his father’s butcher business on Ludlow Street, where he and his three brothers worked, to start Bernstein-on-Essex. Schmulka Bernstein’s – nicknamed after his father – operated out of 135 Essex Street. Armed with the slogan “where kashrut is king and quality reigns,” the eatery was first established as a Kosher delicatessen. But in 1959, Bernstein began offering Cantonese-style favorites alongside the more traditional fare.

what about Jewish food. I only know Noah's Bagels, salted Salmon cream-cheese bagels are really great. is that Jewish food?

 

[cancel2 2022]

Surprised that GobbledyGook would eat Chink/Gook food.

 

[TOP]

Some Chinese restaurant places were open, other places were obviously closed. Just depended on location.

They were all open here And slammed....

 

[Bulletbob]

Jews eating Chinese food on Christmas is a tradition forged long ago in the bowels of the Lower East Side.

To many turn-of-the-century Eastern European newcomers, Chinese cuisine was somewhat familiar to their own. As the Yiddish Book Center points out, both culinary styles favor “chicken broth, lots of garlic and onions, vegetables cooked to a melting softness, and sweet-and-sour flavors reminiscent of those of Ashkenazic cooking.” Plus, there was a Kosher appeal of sorts. Since Chinese cuisine is light on dairy ingredients, there was little threat of mixing milk and meat.

Yet, not until 1959 would there be a specific restaurant that offered this marriage of Kosher Chinese food. At around that time, Solomon Bernstein reportedly left his father’s butcher business on Ludlow Street, where he and his three brothers worked, to start Bernstein-on-Essex. Schmulka Bernstein’s – nicknamed after his father – operated out of 135 Essex Street. Armed with the slogan “where kashrut is king and quality reigns,” the eatery was first established as a Kosher delicatessen. But in 1959, Bernstein began offering Cantonese-style favorites alongside the more traditional fare.

https://www.boweryboogie.com/2020/1...zNuu0Jju-ZCsXzvDpG3tREubSLkWhq89iWCUgV00BIAbg

so when did your family tradition of looting and selling crack and robbing people on the street start ?

 

[floridafan]

I only heard of it when I watched Seinfeld. not a lot of jewish folks in suburbia Dallas, Texas.

Its obvious the you dont live in TX