Chinese Food in Homes

With more women among the immigrants, particularly since the 1960s, there is more emphasis on Chinese family life. The diversity of immigrant occupations has also expanded into industries not related to food. Chinese immigrants, particularly those with more disposable income, are now maintaining more traditional eating habits. They are also maintaining close family and friendship rituals that revolve around food as well as traditional practices that include incorporating food and participating in other food-related Chinese social customs. For example, many Chinese families go to a nearby Chinatown or Chinese restaurant once a week for a Chinese meal after they buy Chinese groceries. They particularly like going early in the day and ending their trip by having dim sum (which means “dot the heart”), those small dishes that are common in southern China.