Many Asian Americans in Southern California call San Gabriel Valley the “626” or the abbreviation, SGV. I’ve even had a couple of friends who aren’t from Southern California ask why is San Gabriel Valley even called “626”?
The way I explain it is—the name came from the area code of San Gabriel Valley and you know, Asians like math so instead of enunciating the actual name of the location, we just use numbers to identify it. I seriously believe only Asians call San Gabriel Valley “626.” Am I right on this? I wonder why other cities populated by a majority of Asians aren’t identified by their area codes too—like 415 (San Francisco), 718 (New York City), and the list goes on.
As an Asian American from Southern California, I often do enjoy spending time in the “626.” This music video, “Colima Road” by the Fung Bros. and Aileen Xu, definitely highlights all the similarities, jokes, and hangout spots of many Southern California Asian Americans through comedy and music. Alright, you are probably thinking—how is this video any different from some video from other Asian Americans on YouTube? Although I do have to admit, the song does get a little repetitive, but the Fung Brothers and others that worked on this video did a great job covering all the places that are “cracking” to young Asian Americans in “626” nowadays.
Let’s face it, we are addicted to the boba drinks in oversized bowl-looking-cups at Half and Half, we love being barbarians and eating seafood with our hands at Boiling Crab, we often crave that gigantic bowl of shaved ice at Guppy House, etc. Little did we know, the food we enjoy that is found in the “626” has become part of the Asian American culture in Los Angeles.
The Asian American community in the bigger Los Angeles is now embracing all types of cuisine from different Asian countries instead of shunning away from them to assimilate and belong. Of course, we still like to pay visits to fast food chains and other restaurants, but it’s mainly because of the support of Asian Americans that allows these places that are mentioned in the music video to stay in business. If you are from “626,” what is your favorite hangout spot?
