OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) -- A Chinese pastime from the 19th century is connecting an East Bay community with not only the past but the present and the future. KRON4 stopped by Baba's House for a deeper dive into Mahjong.
Baba's House is open four nights a week: Wednesday through Saturday.
Shuffling, stacking and drawing tile sets. Sharing music and Mahjong. Baba's House is located at 15th and Broadway.
"We are a Mahjong speakeasy," said Baba's House co-founder Alan Chen.
The empty tables with piles of tiles on two levels fill up, and the games and smack-talking begin.
"If you're thinking about, like, Cantonese culture? Being sassy while playing the game, you know, talking a little smack to each other is part of that, and it brings people together because it shatters barriers," Chen said.
New to Mahjong? No problem. Free lessons are offered on the spot for newcomers to the game.
The game is played by four people who use the tiles to form sequences and sets for a winning hand. The skill and strategy it takes to play.
Jenn Lui and her fiancé Alan Chen were inspired to open the lounge more than three years ago, making Mahjong the centerpiece of Oakland’s ode to a mental mind game born in China.
"It's capturing that essence of community and building and preserving our culture," Lui said.
Lui and Chen co-founded Baba's House and run the business with their partner and chef, Eman. The cultural translation of "Baba" is "dad" -- an honor to Lui's late father and the deep sense of familial pride he instilled in her.
Just as Chen's father did for him. Both co-founders are proudly Chinese-American.
"This is us in America. This is us, children of immigrants coming together and making that culture more robust," Chen said.
"My dad passed away in 2020," Lui said. "It really really sparked something in me to create something and uphold that community vibe that he's been bringing within his small community."
Lui and Chen take solace in knowing Baba's House helped the people heal during the rise in hate against the AAPI community.
"We have a lot of support and drive -- just a lot of drive. A lot of passion," Lui said.
"No matter what walk of life they are, they can be seen. They just need to come, be genuine," Chen said. "They need to come respect the people around them, and that is our culture here."
5K for AAPI month in SF to take racers around historical landmarks across cityAt the end of May, the small business that originally started as an Asian snack shop and gathering space to share stories expanded with the addition of "13 Orphans" by the Baba's House group.
It is the speakeasy component to the Mahjong lounge, paired with drinks made from elements used in traditional Chinese medicine.
"We're also doing soju infusion with certain, like, herbs and ingredients. So, we've been having a lot of fun with that," Lui said.
Turns out finding comfort in a set of 144 tiles based on Chinese characters and symbols is a communally binding experience — occasionally drawing the special hand, 13 Orphans, but always dealing good vibes
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Baba's House connects East Bay community through Mahjong )
Also on site :
- Watch Live: American Cardinal Robert Provost chosen as new pope
- New Pope elected
- White smoke appears over Sistine Chapel as Conclave elects new Pope