Essay Assignment (5 pages 5 sources needed)

Originally aiming to serve the ethnic population, ethnic restaurants and food markets have 

played important roles in the ethnic enclave. Among other functions, they have played the role of 

providing economic and cultural support to the ethnic community as well as a haven to new 

immigrants. In the article “Carving an official Cambodia Town out of South Philadelphia,” Joy 

Manning writes about this economic and cultural role of ethnic restaurants and food in a recent 

attempt of Cambodians living in Philadelphia to create an “official Cambodia town.” Once this 

project is over, the enclave will attract more Cambodian Americans from other cities for home 

food comforts and other visitors for the consumption and experience of the “vibrant Cambodian 

culture,” which will bring more revenues to the community (Manning).

Choose an ethnic community (e.g., Little Italy (Italian market), Chinatown, Mexicantown, 

Koreatown, Vietnamese town, or Cambodia town), and develop an argument about the 

contributions that ethnic restaurants and food markets have made to the ethnic community. In 

what ways have the ethnic restaurants and markets made the life of the ethnic population better? 

How have they contributed to the economy of the ethnic community? How do they help the 

community to recreate their distinct culture? These are some of the questions you can consider 

while you are exploring your topic.

The ethnic community I choose is Little Italy(Italian market) in New York.  It would be great if the essay has a clear thesis and clear topic sentences in each paragraph.