A Young Arab’s Dream: Prosperity in China

The Ward is one of the earliest Arabic restaurants in Yiwu.

Authentic Arabic Food

Diners are mainly Arabs, most of whom are familiar with Muhannad. He greets every guest at the door, occasionally chatting with them. The young Arab waiters bustle about, conversing in Arabic or limited Chinese. Their language advantage helps the Arabic lads do their job with ease. In contrast, the young Chinese waitresses seem quieter as they don’t speak Arabic.

The man sitting across from me is Asad, a businessman from Yemen and a regular diner. I talked with him in English and simple Arabic. He purchases cloth in Yiwu and sells it in the Middle East. “The soup is authentic, so is the bread,” he says, “and you can find all the Arabic food you want. The chefs come from Arab countries.”

In the restaurant, the Koran is played in a continuous loop, perfectly matching the Arabic-style decor: golden ceiling and chandelier decorated with golden flowers, giving the restaurant an appearance of grandeur. “Gold is a favorite color of Arabs,” Liu Fang said. “We call it ‘Flower’ restaurant, so a variety of flowers can be seen here. Our logo is a white flower, which Muhannad designed himself.”

Upon arrival in China, Muhannad only earned about US $300 a month. But now he and Liu Fang have their own restaurant and a foreign trade company. Muhannad’s life is busy but very happy. His two sons, eleven and nine years old, speak Chinese like natives. He said the children were born and brought up in China, so Chinese is their mother tongue. But he hopes the kids will learn Arabic language and culture in Yiwu.

Chinese City with Arabic Tastes

There are many Arabs running restaurants in Yiwu. Chen Lin works for a China-Arab trade company in Beijing. “I was almost shocked,” she said after a business trip to Yiwu, “The street near my hotel is lined with Arabic restaurants. I headed into one and, wow, found myself in an Arab country. I became a foreigner. Anyone travelling to Yiwu should try the Arabic food.”

The authentic Arabic restaurants are all run by Arabs. As more Arabs came to Yiwu and more restaurants opened, Muhannad felt growing competition. Many seasonings must be imported to ensure authentic flavors and attract customers. Within 100 meters of the Ward Restaurant, there are over 20 Arabic restaurants. A taxi driver told me this is just one of several blocks where Arabic restaurants congregate.

The Flower is more expensive than Chinese restaurants. I paid less than RMB 30 for a buffet in a popular chain restaurant. But that in the Flower cost me RMB 100. “But my food is worth it,” Muhannad said.

“For so many years, the biggest gain for me is Chinese and Arabic friends, and a happy life with my wife and kids,” Muhannad said. “Now, Yiwu is my second hometown. Actually, the Chinese Dream President Xi talked about is also my dream. I will do my best to run the restaurant, and hope one day to open branches in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing. I will also expand my trade company to sell Chinese products to Arabic countries. I want to be a messenger of friendship between China and the Arab world.”