March 21, 2025 | Vol. 54, Issue 6

The only bilingual Chinese-English Newspaper in New England

Year: 2021

president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden sworn in on inauguration day

Advocates cautiously optimistic about Biden’s immigration policies

City representatives and advocates have said that president Joe Biden’s newest immigration policies have brought them hope, but that there is still skepticism in the community. While Biden’s sweeping reforms have appeared bold, it will likely take time for the former Trump administration’s actions to be reversed.  One of Biden’s first steps was to sign a memorandum on January 20 that ordered the attorney general and the secretary of Homeland Security to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood […]

Are you a person of Chinese heritage who currently lives or previously lived in Massachusetts?

The UMass Chinese Mental Health Program invites you to participate in a series of short research surveys. The goals of our program are to understand how Chinese individuals in Massachusetts feel about the concept of mental health, facilitate discussions about mental health within families, and improve the health and well-being of our communities by sharing local resources. Participants will be asked to take a short 15-minute survey. If you choose to leave an email, you will be entered into a […]

An American Citizenship: It Gives The Asian Community Voice!

by Mitra Shavarini The history of Asian Americans who arrived in the U.S. stretches as far back as the 1850s, though there had been earlier migrations to Hawaii in the 1830s. It was this mid-nineteenth century wave, due to the California’s Gold Rush, that constitutes the earliest significant arrival of Asian Americans to this country.  Today, there are more than 18.64 million Asians Americans living in the country, originating from diverse religious, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds, each with  distinct immigration patterns […]

Richard Chen executive chef Red 8

‘East meets West’: Red 8 executive chef Richard Chen’s vision and pride

“They think Chinese restaurants are supposed to be cheap,” said chef Richard Chen. “[It can be] even cheaper than McDonalds. And you get a nutritious meal that takes a lot of time and effort to prepare, and you get a whole entree coming out. I mean, I’d rather eat that everyday than McDonalds. But the point is, they think the price should be very cheap and low.” This is the impression Americans have about “Chinese food.” Alum of the Culinary […]

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

Sampan Interview with Iron Chef Morimoto: Asian Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee

1. How did you decide on becoming a chef? (I learned about your baseball injury. You could have done anything in the world, but why a chef?) When I was growing up, I wanted to either be a professional baseball player or a sushi chef.  When I injured my shoulder early on in my baseball career, I turned to sushi, which was always a very special food memory early in my life. I trained in the art of being a […]

Tora Japanese Restaurant, unagi don

Boston’s first Kaisen don restaurant: TORA Japanese restaurant review

Tora Japanese Restaurant in Chinatown is Boston’s first Kaisen don restaurant. Four years ago, Tora (Japanese for tiger) was opened by owners Kenix Wong and Patrick Zhong after three years of research around Japan and training in Hong Kong. The restaurant space is simply decorated in hues of grey, white and black with minimal decor. COVID protocols were strictly adhered to with hand sanitizers, spaced out tables to provide a safe dining experience. Kaisen don means seafood on rice, unlike […]

Immigrant History Initiative hosts parent workshop on race

By Mandy Sun and Karen Mai On Jan. 22, the Immigrant History Initiative hosted a workshop that addressed how parents, specifically immigrant parents, could talk about Asian American identity and racism with their children. The workshop emerged in light of Asian racism during the pandemic and the language inaccessibility that prevented immigrant families from understanding how this might not only impact their children but how they would handle it. “This sort of space is sorely needed,” says Kathy Lu, one […]

Jacqueline Church is the owner of Boston Chinatown Tours and a freelance writer

“Lucky at Home”: Lunar New Year 2021

Lunar New Year is typically a time for huge family banquets. Restaurants would see multi-generational tables, lai see or hong bao passed to children, auspicious foods ordered, and lots of laughter. Lots of food.  Like so many other aspects of life during this pandemic, we’re planning more isolated, home-based events. Here are 8 great ideas for making your Lunar New Year as festive and delicious as possible, while staying safe at home. Order takeaway from your favorite spots. All or […]

Tufts Medical Center talks COVID-19 vaccine efficacy & roll-out

About a year since the first outbreak of the coronavirus, vaccines countering the virus have finally begun rolling out. However, there has been a lot of confusion and concern about the efficacy of the vaccine and the method in which it is available to the public.  Sampan had the opportunity to interview Dr. Helen Boucher, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Tufts Medical Center (TMC) to address some of these concerns. Dr. Boucher has been at the frontlines in managing responses […]

the celebration of Chinese New Year in Boston, with lanterns

The 150th anniversary of Chinese New Year in Massachusetts

This year, Chinese New Year starts on Friday, February 12, beginning the Year of the Ox. It’s also the 150th Anniversary of the first public celebration of Chinese New Year in Massachusetts. Although you might suspect that the celebration occurred in Chinatown, it actually began in North Adams, a city in the far northwestern region of the state.  Prior to 1870, there were only a handful of Chinese living in Massachusetts, and any celebration of Chinese New Year was more […]

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