Lunar New Year in Mexico City: Barrio Chino Without a Chinese Community & Roma Norte’s Lion Dance

Sep 2

📸 All photos in this post are original and taken during my travels - Alan

Lion Dance during Lunar New Year in Mexico City’s Roma Norte and Barrio Chino — Lion Dance (Mou Si) show inside a restaurant called Pho 7 and Barrio Chino

Barrio Chino: Unique Asian Baos in Mexico City

One unique aspect of Barrio Chino in Mexico City, which I haven’t encountered in other Chinatowns like Downtown LA, is the colorful dessert baos with unique fillings.

Colorful dessert baos with unique fillings in Mexico City’s Barrio Chino

We tried a Nutella-filled bao, but they also offer other flavors at multiple food stands along the street.

Nutella-filled bao from a street food stand in Mexico City’s Barrio Chino

Barrio Chino is essentially one small street in the Zócalo area with a few small shops selling Chinese goods and some Asian restaurants, but with a notable twist: it's a Chinatown without the typical Chinese residents.

Small shops and restaurants in Mexico City’s Barrio Chino, a Chinatown without Chinese residents

In contrast to Downtown LA’s Chinatown, Barrio Chino is smaller but stands out due to its higher concentration of Asian shops, Chinese goods, and Asian decorations compared to other streets in the Zócalo.

Barrio Chino in Mexico City with Asian shops and Chinese decorations, contrasting with Downtown LA’s Chinatown — Barrio Chino in Mexico City with Asian shops and Chinese decorations

If you’re expecting a vibrant Chinese community here, you might be disappointed.

For a genuine Chinese community that’s less well-known in Mexico City, check out the side note section below.

Dim sum served at an authentic restaurant in Viaducto, Mexico City

Side Note: Viaducto’s Chinatown

During another day exploring Mexico City, I discovered a Chinatown in the Viaducto area with a significant Chinese community. If you’re interested in a more traditional Chinatown experience, check out my blog post about Viaducto’s Chinatown linked at the end of this article.

Pho 7 and Roma Norte: A Blend of Cultures

We also visited Pho 7 in Roma Norte, a popular area for foreigners, where we saw a traditional lion dance (or Mou Si) inside the restaurant.

Traditional lion dance performance inside Pho 7 restaurant in Roma Norte, Mexico City — Traditional lion dance (Mou Si) performance inside Pho 7 restaurant in Roma Norte, Mexico City

Pho 7 offers a diverse menu with Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean dishes.

Blending of Asian culture with the local scene in Roma Norte’s trendy, hipster neighborhood

It was interesting to see how Roma Norte’s trendy, hipster neighborhood blends Asian culture with the local scene.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

If you have any questions about Barrio Chino or Roma Norte, feel free to send me a private message.

Enjoying Schezwan noodles at Pho 7 in Roma Norte, Mexico City — Schezwan noodles at Pho 7 in Roma Norte, Mexico City

Lion dance ceremony concluding at Pho 7 restaurant in Roma Norte, Mexico City

I prefer not to publicly critique restaurants out of respect for the hard work of those trying to make a living. Growing up in Southern California, where the San Gabriel Valley offers exceptional Asian cuisine, I appreciate how Mexico embraces and integrates Chinese culture.