A Chinese cafe that has been portion of the community eating landscape for decades as a result of distinctive incarnations may possibly be down to its final handful of days.
Jung’s Golden Dragon II, at 3009 Journal St., could near as early as future 7 days, claimed proprietor Jung Tan. The kitchen area is nonetheless pumping out orders of dumplings, shrimp toast and sesame beef, but Tan is now packing containers of mementos that when decorated the partitions.
“It is unfortunate for me, but immediately after all these years it is time for me to retire,” explained Tan, now 71.
Jung Tan demonstrates a peace indicator with her palms at her Journal Avenue restaurant Jung’s Golden Dragon II. (Workers picture by Ian McNulty, NOLA.com | The Instances-Picayune)
She stated doable new homeowners are considering obtaining the cafe, which could mean the name would keep on. Nevertheless these future consumers are taking into consideration a twin Chinese and Japanese menu with a sushi bar, which would mark a huge alter. The cafe is geared up with a sushi bar, a hold-above from an before enterprise below, but Tan by no means applied it for sushi.
Tan immigrated from China to the U.S. in the 1970s and came to New Orleans to study hospitality and tourism management at the University of New Orleans. A year soon after graduating, she opened Jung’s Golden Dragon with her dad and mom in 1977.
Jung Tan offers a menu of genuine Chinese dishes at Jung’s Golden Dragon.
For several decades the cafe was found in Metairie, in the vicinity of the Clearview Shopping mall, serving a menu of acquainted American Chinese restaurant dishes (lemon rooster, egg rolls, broccoli with beef) and additional traditional Chinese fare.
Sooner or later, Tan began introducing a lot more and extra of the classic dishes, quite a few dependent on the recipes her mom introduced from China. By the time she moved to Magazine Road in 2010, she experienced noticeably expanded the menu with a vast variety of largely Szechuan fashion dishes, for a restaurant she dubbed Jung’s Golden Dragon II, like a movie sequel.
The crispy fish in sauce is among the preferred Chinese and Korean dishes served at Jung’s Golden Dragon in Uptown.
The compact cafe together a extend of Journal Street crammed with retailers and other dining places created a normal community clientele.
Quite a few have been visiting Tan in new days asking her to stay open up. But soon after 45 several years in the company and by means of the troubles of the pandemic and ensuing increased expenses and staffing difficulties she stated she was ready to retire.
“I am happy of the popularity I built up more than the a long time,” she stated. “I released Chinese culture to my buyers through meals, that is what I’ll overlook. And I realized a ton also, from my consumers.”
3009 Journal St., (504) 891-8280
