The Chinese Village included a theater, restaurant, a tea house and a Joss house. Joss houses or (Miu), are a place for worshiping a variety of Chinese deities, saints and supernatural beings from Taoist, Buddhism, and Confucianism, principles to heroes and folklores.
Upon entering an impressive portal, visitors could eat, partake in a wide array of arcade and games of skill (for small prizes, such as china, incense (called Joss sticks), etc. Theaters treated the guest to acrobatics, why magicians and fire-eaters wanders the attraction entertaining the crowd. A bazaar, showcased Chinese artists weaving, carving and painting fine wares (available to the public).
In the early 1900’s authentic Chinese cuisine took a back seat to quasi- Chinese-American fare, such as egg rolls and chop suey on the Chinese Village restaurant menu.
Most likely, Chop Suey was invented in in the mid-1800’s by Chinese miners or railroad
workers. The words- Tsa Sui, means chopped up odds and ends.
Lee Gaskins' AT THE FAIR The 1904 St. Louis World's Fair
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