Minnesota restaurant closes after 40 years, and a customer who once said he ‘hated Chinese people’ admits he was wrong

A Chinese restaurant in Minnesota is closing after 40 years in business, with its final days drawing widespread attention after the owner’s daughter shared a TikTok reflecting on its legacy. The video, posted by Morgan Hoong, has racked up more than 1.6 million views as viewers responded to her stories about the restaurant’s impact on customers.

The attention brought a flood of last-minute orders, forcing the family to ask local residents not to overcrowd the restaurant during its final two days. The unexpected rush left the family struggling to keep up with demand, echoing the kind of overwhelming demand seen during a recent TikTok trend that swamped Waffle House employees.

Hoong described the restaurant’s impact through two stories she said had stayed with her over the years. “Somebody chose it to be the last meal that they wanted to eat before they died,” she said of one customer. She also recalled how a friend’s grandfather, who “always hated Chinese people” and “would never eat at a Chinese restaurant,” changed his opinion after reluctantly trying her family’s food. According to Hoong, he later admitted, “I don’t think Chinese people are so bad after all.”

Closing the doors after four decades

The creator also explained why she was reluctant to encourage a rush of last-minute customers despite tagging the restaurant’s location. “We’re closing in two days, and we actually don’t want anyone to come,” she said, explaining that the kitchen had “literally been that scene from The Bear” ever since the family announced the closure.

Hoong joked that the pressure had taken its toll on everyone working in the restaurant. “My dad is the bear, I’m the freaking bear,” she said, before adding with a laugh, “It’s not pretty.”

Followers and frequent patrons flooded the comment section of the video with tributes and personal memories of the establishment, tying it to moments seen in events that brought strangers together.

One commenter expressed readiness to fly across the country just to sample the dishes one last time, writing, “flying in from PA just to try it.” Another user praised the establishment as a “Goated restaurant” while wishing the owners well in retirement.

Several users pleaded for secret family recipes to be released before the doors closed permanently. Others expressed gratitude for the decades of service provided by the family. “I’m sure it will be sorely missed, but tell your parents I’m proud of them retiring and living their best lives,” wrote one supporter in the comments.

As the restaurant prepares to close its doors after four decades, commenters continue to thank the Hoong family for the memories they created and wish them a happy retirement.