Palacio Lung Fung
Via Simón Bolívar and Calle 62 C. Oeste
Panama City, Panama
It is said that you can find Chinese people in almost everywhere in the world. In the case of Panama, it is said that Chinese born and/or first generation accounts for at least 5 percent (150,000 of over 3,000,000) of the Panamanian population. However, Chinese people have been in Panama goes way back to the time of the Panama Canal construction (if not further back) and have intermingled with the local population. A lot of times you will find people with a Chinese surname, yet, physically, they look like any other Panamanian born. Regardless, Chinese people has made its mark in the Panamanian culture. For example, the neighbourhood grocery store, it is usually referred to as the “Chinito de la esquina” – literally, “The Chinese of the corner”. (However, this is not unique to Panama, other countries in Latin America will also use the Chinese for this expression).
And, of course, food. It is said that wherever you can find Chinese people, you will find Chinese restaurants. In this case, I took my parents for dim sum to one of the best known Chinese restaurants in the city: Palacio Lung Fung.
