Chinese restaurants are tasty, but why they so modest/simple/minimalist?

[Archibault]

Hey guys,

This is a question I have been meaning to ask for awhile. I like Chinese food. However, I noticed that Chinese restaurants, except for a few exceptions, tend to very minimalist.

Inside it seems as if the owner just bought a empty space and he started selling his food. He never tried to decorate nor improve interior design. You'll also see sometimes were the names are meant to be the lights are not working properly.

I do think the owners make a profit. People come buy and leave.Sometimes some people stay at the Chinese restaurant but they are mostly like a worker on his time off. He only plans to eat quick ane bounce back to works.

In my view, Chinese restaurants are the opposite of Italian restaurants, were even the most modest restaurants has a sophisticated decoration.

Don't get me wrong I like Chinese restaurants, I just never understood why they were so minimalist.

Since Winston and others have a lot familiarity with East Asian culture I'd like to hear your thoughts.

[Voyager1]

I don't find them minimalist, at least the ones I frequent. Archibault, in which country(ies) do you find them minimalist?

[Yohan]

... I like Chinese food. However, I noticed that Chinese restaurants, except for a few exceptions, tend to very minimalist.

Inside it seems as if the owner just bought a empty space and he started selling his food. He never tried to decorate nor improve interior design...

I cannot agree to that observation, you find Chinese restaurants worldwide, some are merely primitive food stalls and others are expensive exclusive upper class restaurants, especially those located inside of upper class hotels etc...

It depends somehow what you expect and on your wallet how much you want to spend...at least here in Asia where I am living...

[Archibault]

So you guys are saying that Chinese restaurants come in a wide range? I guess I've only been on the more affortable Chinese restaurants. But still its astounding how simple and minimalist they can be.

I'm sure there are guys out there like Winston and others who can "breakdown" the different types of Chinese restaurants.

[Jamessmith0901]

I think it’s all about the vibe and efficiency. I recently went to China and had this awesome Stir-Fried Pork Intestines with Green Peppers, and honestly, the vibe in a lot of the places there was super chill, focused more on the food than anything else. It’s like they don’t need fancy decor to make you feel welcome. It’s all about fast, no-frills service and the food being the star. It’s kind of a cultural thing where practicality outweighs aesthetics. So, I get why Chinese restaurants keep it minimal—why distract from the food, right?

Credit photo: https://gowithguide.com/China

[Voyager1]

That above pic looks like a dog's breakfast. I wouldn't let my dog eat it if I had one