A Cuban in Canada visits a Cuban food kiosk and gets a surprise: "I was left in shock."

A Cuban woman in Canada recounts her surprise at being served by Chinese staff at a Cuban food kiosk in Toronto. She enjoyed the menu but expected to find fellow countrymen behind the counter.

Cuban in CanadaPhoto © @azulina.diario / TikTok

A Cuban resident in Canada shared on TikTok the surprise she experienced when visiting a restaurant called La Cubana in Toronto. She expected to find fellow countrymen behind the counter, but she ended up being served by Chinese workers.

"I was stunned. For me, this is something unheard of. I came to this little Cuban kiosk called La Cubana, super excited, and it turns out it’s Chinese people selling Cuban food," commented the user azulina.diario in the video.

The young woman explained that upon entering the establishment, she was so excited to try the food that she didn’t even greet the saleswoman, but then she was taken by surprise: “They don’t even speak Spanish; they’re Chinese selling Cuban food. Do you all understand that?”

Despite the unexpectedness, the customer tried the menu consisting of tostones, avocado, shredded beef, and congrí rice. "The food is delicious, really delicious, but I was hoping they would be Cuban," she said with laughter and astonishment.

The video has gone viral on social media, where many users discuss the globalization of cuisine and how common it is to find restaurants from one country run by people from other cultures.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Globalization of Cuban Cuisine Abroad

Why was a Cuban woman surprised to be served by Chinese people at a Cuban food kiosk in Canada?

The Cuban woman expected to be served by fellow countrymen in a Cuban restaurant in Toronto. However, she was surprised to see that the staff was of Chinese origin, highlighting the globalization of cuisine, where people from diverse cultures manage kitchens of other countries.

What was the experience of the Cuban like when trying the food at the kiosk run by Chinese?

Despite the initial surprise, the Cuban enjoyed the menu, which included tostones, avocado, shredded meat, and congrí rice. She commented that the food was delicious, although she expected the place to be run by Cubans.

What does the Cuban reaction to changes in Cuban cuisine abroad reflect?

Reflects globalization and cultural blending observed in global gastronomy, where traditional cuisines are managed by people from different cultures, making typical Cuban dishes more accessible to international audiences.

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Yare Grau

Originally from Cuba, but living in Spain. I studied Social Communication at the University of Havana and later graduated in Audiovisual Communication from the University of Valencia. I am currently part of the CiberCuba team as an editor in the Entertainment section.