San Francisco Chinatown’s vibrant and unique culinary traditions play for residents in their daily lives and on holidays and special occasions was highlighted in the Chinatown Sweets and Pastries 華埠甜蜜蜜exhibition at 41 Ross Alley gallery. Curated by Chinatown Community Development Center, this exhibit focuses on Chinatown’s bakeries AA Bakery,  Garden Bakery, and iCafe; dim sum restaurant New Asia; and stores Ming Ming and Dragon Papa. These places sell everything from dragon’s beard candy and egg tarts, to red bean buns, candied fruit, and sweet soup dumplings. The exhibit featured photographs and a film by Emma Marie Chiang with assistance from Martin Peter Bustamante, stories gathered by Vida K, and graphics and a lighted sign installation by Tiffany Hsieh and Brandon Ly. After the exhibit closed, the photographs were then installed in two of the stores, Dragon Papa and iCafe. The highlighted food traditions serve as more than just sustenance and a sugary indulgence for the soul – these foods help provide Chinese Americans with an identity and community built on shared meals and a little bit of sweetness.