CubaPLUS Magazine

More than a century and a half ago, a wave of mass immigration led to the formation of a Chinese community in Cuba. Their sociocultural contributions became so significant that they are now an integral part of Cuban national identity.

The migration flow began in 1847 with the arrival of Chinese laborers, known as coolie. These workers were brought to the island under exploitative contracts to labor in agriculture, mainly in sugarcane plantations, as a replacement for African slaves.

Historians estimate that between 1847 and 1874, approximately 150,000 Chinese natives arrived in Cuba. These coolie eventually won their emancipation in 1877 through a Chinese-Spanish treaty, which ended labor contracts but did not stop immigration.

From 1869 well into the 20th century, waves of free Chinese immigrants, mainly from California, USA, arrived in Cuba seeking opportunities to settle and invest.

The legacy of this presence remains visible across Cuban society, where Asian traditions have merged with local customs.

Chinese Influence on Cuban Culture

Cuisine: Experts highlight the fusion of indigenous, Spanish, African, and Chinese influences, describing Cuban cuisine as an  “exotic blend of flavors.” The Chinese contribution is evident in sweet-and-sour contrasts, cooking techniques, and staple dishes. Cubans enjoy maripositas chinas (Chinese fried wonton strips), spring rolls, chop suey, and fried rice—influenced by Chinese- Californian methods. Even congrí, a classic Cuban rice-and-bean dish, is said to have Chinese roots.

Traditional Remedies: The Chinese menthol balm is a household staple in Cuba, widely used for headaches, coughs, nasal congestion, insect bites, and muscle pain. In old Cuba, Chinese doctors were known for their expertise, giving rise to the famous saying:

“Not even the Chinese doctor can save that!”—a phrase still used today when something seems hopeless.

Sports and Games: Chinese immigrants introduced dominoes, now one of Cuba’s most popular games. In the country’s eastern regions, the Chinese corneta (a suona trumpet brought by immigrants in 1915) became a staple in local festivities. Martial arts, including wushu and tai chi, are also widely practiced in parks by Cubans of all ages.

Chinese Legacy in Cuban History

Chinese immigrants played a key role in Cuba’s wars for independence in the 19th century. Their contribution is honored in a monument in Vedado, Havana, bearing the inscription:

“There was not a single Chinese- Cuban deserter, nor a single Chinese- Cuban traitor.”
Havana’s Chinatown: A Historic Hub

As immigrants embraced Cuba as their homeland, they primarily settled in Havana’s Chinatown, once considered the second-largest Chinese enclave in the world—after San Francisco’s.

The origins of this district date back to 1858, when Chang Leng opened a restaurant on Rayo and Zanja Streets. Beside it, Lam Siu Yi set up a fruit and vegetable stand. Over time, printing shops, restaurants, stores, social clubs, theaters, schools, charitable clinics, pharmacies, funeral homes, newspapers, and banks flourished.

Located just a few meters from the National Capitol, Havana’s Chinatown now consists of a handful of small streets, with Zanja Avenue and Dragones Street as its main arteries. It remains a testament to China’s deep-rooted influence on Cuban history, an influence that will be honored at the upcoming International Tourism Fair (FITCuba 2025), dedicated to China.