some people choose to open a food business in a Chinese mall because they want to target more Chinese clients with low cost to maintain. Do you know how much it cost to run a food business in Metrotown? That would 10 times the lease + maintenance fee.
Again you are generalized things that all people did not want to make more money just because they want to stay in Chinese Mall.
just for your information, I worked for an all white software engineer firms for few years so I am not afraid to talk to white people and they treat me nicely too (no racism issue too).
retail required you to buy inventory in and hopefully to sell them
food business required you to buy ingredient but however the cook combine the ingredients is up to the cook. In my opinion, food business is easier than retails since every one has to eat.