10/02/2026
A bucket list mahjong moment ✨
For someone whose life has become so intertwined with American mahjong, learning to play Chinese mahjong (the game’s original form) was super special.
When visiting Greenville this past week, I found SUM BAR - dim sum restaurant and bar, where they host Chinese mahjong lessons and open play every Monday night.
Mahjong originated in China in the 19th century and has since traveled around the world, evolving into many different versions along the way. Chinese mahjong, American mahjong, Japanese riichi, Hong Kong mahjong and others all share the same roots, but each has developed its own rules, strategies and traditions.
As someone who teaches American mahjong, it was so fun (and humbling!) to sit on the other side of the table and be the student again. The game looked familiar in so many ways, but the differences made it feel like discovering mahjong all over again.
The experience at Sum Bar was incredible, too. The food was delicious, the staff was so welcoming, and they even offered the players homemade mooncakes while teaching us more about Chinese tradition and culture.
A little reminder that there is so much more to mahjong than the version we may know best. At its heart, it’s a game with deep cultural roots, a long history, and countless ways to bring people around a table.
Feeling very grateful to learn from the game’s roots and excited to keep learning more versions of the game!
