In West Philadelphia, culinary innovator Kurt Evans has launched a groundbreaking restaurant that merges Chinese-American cuisine with Black culinary traditions. Black Dragon, which opened in 2024, occupies the space of a former Chinese takeout establishment that Evans deliberately preserved to maintain its authentic aesthetic.
The 40-year-old chef, who grew up in the neighborhood, has developed what he terms “Black American Chinese food” – a fusion that reflects the historical connection between Chinese restaurants and Black communities. The establishment features classic Chinese takeout decor with backlit menu boards, traditional prosperity messages in Chinese characters, and the signature black dragon sculpture that gives the restaurant its name.
Evans’ menu presents creative cross-cultural combinations: egg rolls stuffed with collard greens, Philly cheesesteak, or jerk chicken; lo mein incorporating oxtail or gumbo; alongside traditional Chinese-American staples like chicken broccoli and fried rice. The dessert menu ventures into innovative territory with peach cobbler wontons and sweet potato donuts.
The concept stems from Evans’ personal history and observations about the historical relationship between Chinese immigrants and Black neighborhoods. He explains that discriminatory policies like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and various alien land laws historically limited where Chinese immigrants could establish businesses, often leading them to open restaurants in Black communities where rents were more affordable and exclusion less rigid.
“Food is our common ground,” says Evans, emphasizing how culinary spaces can bring diverse communities together. This philosophy is embodied in both his menu and his hiring practices – Evans provides employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals and local youth as part of his commitment to community development.
The restaurant’s unique concept has attracted attention far beyond West Philadelphia, drawing visitors from Brooklyn, Atlanta, and other cities. Evans’ reputation reached national prominence when he catered an event for former Vice President Kamala Harris during her Philadelphia campaign stop.
Evans is now expanding his impact through a forthcoming book that blends memoir with food writing, featuring recipes from Black Dragon alongside previously unpublished creations. The project represents the culmination of nearly nine years of development for his innovative culinary vision.