Viveca Chow wants you to use your voice and spread joy in the world.
If you’re on NYC TikTok, then you may have heard of Viveca Chow.
Viveca is a content creator focused on highlighting small businesses and events in New York City.
Her content career journey began after her first video on her$25 haircutin Chinatown went viral.
Your first video to go viral was the $25 haircut in NYC Chinatown.
How do you find these businesses to highlight?
@Madison25 h&n (420 Madison Avenue, Manhattan) This set was done by Ako.
Their salon uses Japanese gel.
I never knew this was here."
Viveca:Yes, and sometimes all it takes is a little bit of extra effort!
For me, sometimes I’m like, “Oh, I’m not doing anything today.
Youve been featured in various media outlets, fromNew York LivetoABCsLocalish, and more.
Viveca:I love sharing about my culture!
I’m Chinese and from Hong Kong.
I just wanted to break rules, and I always wanted to do things my own way.
And so when I went to an international school, I really adopted a very Western approach to education.
But then I think thatsomewhere along the way, I kind of lost my cultural identity.
I just wanted to fit in.
I want to assimilate.And that led to things that were said that I’m not proud of now.
BuzzFeed:You definitely should be proud!
Your story is very relatable.
I certainly can relate to wanting to fit in and losing a part of my culture through that.
Viveca:Thank you!
And again, it’s a learning process.
But being able to talk about Mid-Autumn Festival on TV that was crazy.
It just gives me a warm feeling.
Viveca:I’m speechless right now because it’s really, really difficult.
You know, I see the development for the jail, and that’s really heartbreaking to see.
It feels very powerless, to be honest.
BuzzFeed:Of course, it’s a rough situation that makes many people in the community feel powerless.
And it’s devastating.
Do you have a personal connection with Chinatown?
Can you share any favorite memories?
Viveca:Yeah, so for me, it’s language.
If you ask me, “What are the nine tones in Cantonese?”
I’d be like, “I’ve absolutely no idea.”
But I am a native speaker.
So, it’s something that is passed down.
Because my parents are in Hong Kong, I am here alone with my husband.
If I had to encapsulate Chinatown in one feeling, it would be that.
It takes a village to truly make things work.
Viveca:Yes, and it speaks so strongly to community as well.
We can’t function in this world without community or a good support system.
What does your Asian identity mean to you?
Lets chat about what brought you to NYC in the first place.
Youre the first Hong Kong-born-and-raised Broadway musical performer and have overcome adversities as a minority actor in the US.
What was your experience like, and how did it feel to reach that milestone?
That has been my dream ever since I was 9 years old, unwaveringly.
I achieved it a few years back, and I would love to do it again.
But I’m very proud that I hold that title.
I’m very grateful for it.
Honestly, it’s cool.
But it definitely was cool to experience that as an international actor.
Did your parents support your dreams?
What was your relationship with them like?
Viveca:Oh, I could talk about my parents for hours.
I’m truly so blessed.
My parents were so poor they grew up in poverty.
But we both knew what those tears meant.
Lets learn more about you!
What Asian dish do you think is S-tier?
Viveca:Steamed egg.
It was truly a declaration.
BuzzFeed:Wait, really?
Steamed egg with a drizzle of sweet soy sauce.
You cannot beat that mixed with rice and some scallions on top.
Literally, that’s comfort food for me.
I could have 10 steamed eggs a day because I love steamed eggs.
BuzzFeed:Do you make it at home, or do you have a spot that you go to?
I’m not an expert chef, but I am an expert eater.
BuzzFeed:Oh, I get that for sure.
What are your favorite Asian foods when you’re eating out in NYC?
Viveca:Yeah, wow, that’s a really hard question.
BuzzFeed:In general, what types of foods do you tend to crave?
Viveca:Okay, my top three are Japanese, Indian, and Chinese food.
BuzzFeed:Do you like specific dishes within those cuisines that you love and think are the best?
Viveca:You’re gonna laugh at me.
For Japanese cuisine, it’s also the Japanese-style steamed egg.
BuzzFeed: You’re consistent!
Viveca: I’m very consistent.
No, I also really like udon.
But I love udon that’s in a very light broth I personally prefer it over ramen.
It’s just so freaking good to me.
For Indian food, I love anything that is spicy off the charts.
I love vindaloo and the tomatoey, tangy taste that comes with the dish.
For Chinese food, I would say Cantonese food because that’s home for me.
So, clay pot rice is incredible, and steamed rice noodle rolls with shrimp.
You just mentioned Raku as a place to visit.
What other places in NYC do you suggest to try out?
It should be fun and free so you avoid burnout.
Then through that joy you get from creating, you’re able to bring other people joy.
I use joy as my example because I’m very joyful in everything I do.
Do you have a message to share with our readers?
Viveca:Oh, there are so many things I could say.
And sometimes that is enough.
BuzzFeed:Like we talked about earlier, it’s about the small things that turn into big things.
Oh, and also, laugh more.
Living in a crazy place like New York City, it can be miserable and tough.
Unfortunately, that can harden people, but I say don’t let life harden you.
Do the hard things, but don’t let it harden you.
Thank you Viveca for sitting down with us!
Be sure to check out Viveca onTikTokandInstagramto keep up with her journey and amazing NYC recommendations.
