Sidebar #28 - Costa Rican Chinos

Despite being half a world away from Beijing, Costa Rica is home to a robust population of Chinese immigrants and Ticos with Chinese ancestry. In San Jose, the capital, there is a burgeoning Chinatown, known as Paseo de los Estudiantes. Additionally, one of the most popular dishes nationwide is a type of Chinese Fried Rice, usually served with meat or shrimp, called Arroz Cantones. There is Chinese influence throughout contemporary Costa Rican society.

With that being said, the most indelible mark that Chinese immigration has left on modern Costa Rica is through shopping. Costa Rica has a ton of convenience stores officially called mini supers or pulperias. But informally, Ticos refer to these stores as “Chinos” with frequency. At first blush, usage of this term may sound a bit xenophobic, and it probably wouldn’t fly in the US to refer to a store solely based on a specific ethnic background. However, I really don’t think Ticos see it that way. A large, large percentage of these convenience stores still have Chinese ownership. Even in small towns I’ve traveled to with populations of around 100 people, I’ve still seen Ticos of Asian descent working in these stores. So, I truly think that most Ticos refer to these establishments as “Chinos” as more of a common reality they see rather than trying to make a social commentary about immigration.



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