Meet the kids who grew up in Chinese takeaways - BBC Stories

Growing up as children of Chinese immigrants in the UK often meant spending childhoods working in family-run takeaways, balancing schoolwork with tasks like peeling prawns and packing orders. These "takeaway kids" frequently faced social isolation, as their families often moved to new towns to avoid competition, leaving them as the only Chinese students in their schools. Beyond the physical labor and the constant smell of food, these children navigated the complexities of racism, ranging from prank calls to hostile customer encounters, often shielding their parents from the reality of these microaggressions. Despite the resentment of missing out on social events and the physical scars from kitchen accidents, there is a profound sense of gratitude for the sacrifices parents made. This labor provided the foundation for their children to pursue higher education and build lives beyond the takeaway counter.