In Italy there are many people of Chinese origin and the area in which they are most concentrated is Prato, a small town near Florence.
In Milan, however, there is a very characteristic area that is now known in all respects as Chinatown that is perfectly integrated with the rest of the city.
It is a neighborhood that extends between all the streets that cross the main road “Paolo Sarpi street”.
If you are in Milan and you want to visit the city, don’t miss this little jewel where you will find a corner of Asia with an extremely different atmosphere compared to the one located a few steps away!
This neighborhood is quite central so well connected by transport to every other part of Milan. However, if you want to immerse yourself in a “violent” change of landscape, first go to Piazza Gae Aulenti where the living heart of commercial and technological Milan is located and then with a 10-minute walk, go to Via Paolo Sarpi. It will be worth it!
You will immediately understand that you have arrived when you see ideograms appear on every sign and shop: you have arrived!
In itself, the neighborhood is large and inhabited mostly by Chinese families but real life takes place right on the main road.
Here walking you will find yourself immersed in shops of all kinds of pure Asian mold.
It is not easy to find other similar places in Italy!
You can find everyone there: clothing stores, technology stores, travel agencies specializing in Asian destinations and also some shop of collectors items.
But the thing that often pushes me to go there is the food!
I am fascinated by Asian food and in this neighborhood you can find genuine restaurants where even the ingredients are carefully chosen to respect the tradition. You will be spoiled for choice and in some cases you will struggle to decipher the menus on the walls outside the premises unless you know Italian or Chinese!
In the neighborhood there is also a small shopping center which is spread over two floors where there are also beauty centers.
But the thing that really fascinates me is the possibility of finding ingredients that are impossible to find in other Italian stores thanks to the different food stores located in Via Paolo Sarpi.
Upon entering I feel scents that remind me of the travels made in Vietnam and Nepal and you find yourself walking between shelves full of enticing labels if you like to experiment like me!
It is also fantastic to see the integration between Chinese and Italians. In the shops where fruit is also sold there are clearly visible signs that if you perceive “smell of gas” it is because of the Durian fruit and they explain not to be alarmed! ?
I try to go regularly to try the different soy sauces, the spice mixes and to try new flavors at home.
If you are looking also to some chinese item my tip is to go to a very big shop near the main street called Kathai where you can find not only food but also an interesting offer of house items like chinese pottery, Buddhist items, cast iron teapots and so on. Keep in mond that the prices for the food here are higher in Kathai if compared with the shops on Paolo Sarpi street.
If you are walking through this Italian Chinatown and you are hungry but you don’t have time to sit in one of the many restaurants, I strongly recommend you to go to Ravioleria Sarpi!
Normally the ravioli that are served in Chinese restaurants are of industrial invoice instead in this small street food shop you will see the ravioli kneaded and stuffed in front of your eyes so they are truly genuine and this is demonstrated by the fact that in some hours of the day there are more customers Chinese compared to Italians!
If you have a more robust appetite you could opt for the Chinese crepe with egg, vegetables and beef filling.
A stop at Ravioleria Sarpi alone is worth the visit to Chinatown!
A funny thing: the only other street food shop inside Chinatown (except for McDonald’s that is practically everywhere) is Sicilian and it’s called A’Vucciria! So if you don’t like Chinese food you will find a valid Italian alternative!
@MoniDi have you ever visit this place?!
This is a collaborative post by #TeamItaly included in the #TeamChallenge proposed by @ermest. The post is part of the series about Italy: Italian culture between ancient and modern
they look delicious!
stay safe, everyone!
