On June 22, 1980, at the age of 20, a young man who would be known by many as Chef Yong embarked on the life-altering journey from Guangdong, China to his new home in the United States. Leaving behind the familiar sights and sounds of his homeland, he and his family immigrated to California. This is the story of Chef Yong, or dad to me and my siblings, and his story of courage, perseverance and the tenacious spirit that would eventually lead to the opening of New Asia Restaurant in Germantown, Tennessee.

Upon arriving in Los Angeles, my dad’s culinary career began humbly and at the ground level. He was hired to work at his uncle’s restaurant in LA’s Chinatown and would wake up at 5 a.m. each morning to take the bus to work. From the very beginning, he understood the importance of mastering every aspect of this kitchen, which for him began with the role as a dishwasher.

Whenever he finished with the dishes, he would find tasks to help with in the kitchen. His strong work ethic and curiosity caught the attention of the three experienced chefs from Hong Kong and they began to teach him skills to add to his culinary toolbelt. From mastering dishwashing to soon being able to thinly slice and prepare vegetables, these three chefs saw the potential in him and continued to impart the secrets of their trade, teaching him traditional techniques, delicate flavors and the artistry of authentic Chinese cuisine over the next two years.

Through countless hours spent in the kitchen, my dad honed his skills and the experiences instilled in him a profound respect for the culinary traditions and recipes that had been passed down through generations.

In November of 1982, my dad made his way to Memphis, Tennessee for the first time to join Joy Young Restaurant on Union Avenue as chef. He worked here for several months before he was recruited to Houston, Texas for the next two years.

In September of 1984, he returned to Los Angeles and in late 1985, he was hired as a chef at the Lincoln Hotel in Los Angeles.

In 1987, after being in the United States for several years, my dad returned to China to marry my mom. They had been childhood classmates and friends, meeting when they were only six years old and attending school together. Somewhere along the way, they had ended up as a couple. Despite my dad being abroad and the various obstacles they faced in their long-distance, transpacific relationship, they remained together, writing letters to each other for several years – I like to call it their version of The Notebook.

They returned together to Los Angeles and within a year, the opportunity arose for them to move to Memphis, Tennessee. At the time, my mom was pregnant with my older sister, Gina, and while there was fear of the unknown, their move to Memphis would eventually make my dad’s dream of owning his own restaurant a reality, with my mom beside him every step of the way.

In Memphis, dad continued to work as a chef while mom worked as a waitress. They partnered with family to open Asian Palace in Eastgate and five years later, in 1993, relocated the restaurant to Covington Pike.

As dad’s authentic Chinese cooking became known throughout the city, mom continued to work as a waitress and began learning the ins and outs of the restaurant business. She built and developed relationships with customers who to this day can still recall memories of mom as a waitress, serving them even as she was pregnant with myself, and years later, my younger brother, Brenton.

In 2005, equipped with a shared dream and unwavering determination, my mom and dad embarked on a remarkable endeavor together: the opening of New Asia Restaurant. Using their shared skills and experiences, they began building the restaurant from the ground up. Mom was responsible for managing the business and staff, while dad focused his efforts on ensuring the consistency and quality of the ingredients and food served.

My siblings and I were too young to notice but it wasn’t an easy journey. In addition to the everyday hurdles of entrepreneurship, they faced the added obstacle of language barriers, as English was their second language and the resources for help and guidance were limited. Yet, their resilience and determination persisted, overcoming every challenge thrown their way.

My parents juggled the demands of the restaurant while raising three children, and they forged a path where family and business became inseparable. We were raised with a focus and emphasis on good food, learning at a young age how to pick the perfect fruits and vegetables and understanding the unique flavors and attributes of various foods.

Our time spent together as a family was centered on food, traveling to cities to explore other restaurants that would inspire dad to bring new dishes to life. Dad still spends his free time bettering himself – reading cookbooks, studying ingredients, experimenting and developing new recipes.

As my siblings and I grew up, we began to share the responsibilities of the restaurant, often working at the restaurant on weekends and holidays together. Our parents instilled in us the value of hard work, good food and kitchen skills such as washing dishes, prepping vegetables and working a deep fryer. Through the years, this nurtured a sense of togetherness as each family member contributed their unique strengths to the growth of New Asia.

Through sheer determination, they brought their dream to life and transformed the restaurant into a thriving and successful business, turning New Asia into a beloved establishment cherished by the community for the past 18 years.

With deep gratitude and heartfelt appreciation, we announce the bittersweet finale of our parents’ ownership journey at New Asia, as they embrace a well-deserved retirement.

New Asia has been a cornerstone of our family’s journey for many years. For every day of the past 18 years, New Asia and my parents have never closed their doors, serving customers 365 days each year, on holidays, through the challenges and obstacles of the pandemic or when streets were covered with snow or ice.

It is with immense pride that we reflect on their tireless dedication and the countless sacrifices they made to build this remarkable establishment. Their relentless pursuit of excellence, paired with the joy of serving their customers and the relationships built over these years has created cherished memories and lasting relationships.

As my parents embark on this next journey of their lives, we want to express our gratitude and thanks to our customers and the community who have patronized New Asia over the years. We thank you for having been a part of this journey with us, and for all the love and support that has been shared with us.