Business Spotlight: Hung Lee
Foon Lam, owner of Hung Lee, and her husband, Seng Tan
Blog by Cadence Tan, Photos by Shyanne Tan
Hung Lee
79 Bayard St
Hung Lee Co., a vibrant, fresh market, has been serving the community since 2005, right in the heart of Manhattan’s Chinatown. The store is known for its wide selection of fresh produce and Asian greens, making it a go-to destination for both everyday grocery shoppers and professional chefs.
Before we begin, I want to share that the owner of Hung Lee, Foon Lam, is my grandmother. The store first opened its doors in 2005, the same year I was born, so in a way, we’ve grown up together! Sharing the journey of my family and how my grandparents immigrated to the United States is both an honor and a deeply personal experience.
Meet the owner of Hung Lee, Foon Lam. She was born and raised in the region between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 25, often traveling back to visit family. She has called Manhattan’s Chinatown home ever since moving here. Before opening Hung Lee, she worked as a seamstress on Bowery and as a waitress on East Broadway (though both businesses are now closed).
Hung Lee began as Foon’s first step in building her own future. After returning from a long trip to Malaysia, she needed a job and decided to open her own shop. When a community member mentioned that a store on Bayard Street was for sale, she saw the opportunity and used the money she had been saving for years to start her business.
She chose Bayard Street for her shop because it was near bustling streets and local restaurants. Plus, her commute was only a couple of blocks! She didn’t have a specific interest in what the store would sell, but she chose vegetables because they could also provide for her family.
Her favorite part of running Hung Lee is the independence of owning her own business,and ability to financially support her family. She also enjoys working alongside her son (my dad!) and being an active part of the neighborhood – she has built friendships with customers and strong ties with other local business owners throughout the years.
Hung Lee sources its produce from wholesale markets in Brooklyn. Many of its customers are restaurant owners, predominantly Thai and Vietnamese restaurants in uptown Manhattan. These clients often request Hung Lee to deliver vegetables directly to their businesses.
Running a vegetable shop is a family effort at Hung Lee. My grandma works in the store every day from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Meanwhile, my dad works 6 days a week, starting early at 6 a.m., loading the truck and delivering fresh produce until 1 p.m. Both my grandparents take turns managing the shop alongside a longtime employee. Most of their profits come from these deliveries, while the storefront mainly serves as a place to store vegetables and sell to the local community. Hung Lee is open every day of the year, with shorter hours on holidays, and closes only on the Lunar New Year.
When Hung Lee first opened, finding customers and competing with other vegetable shops was a challenge. Moving heavy deliveries with little help was difficult, and hiring workers remains a challenge due to the physical demands of the job. Over time, they built a loyal client base, and now many people in the community regularly shop at the store. With a small, dedicated team of five, they have managed to keep operations running smoothly for many years.
When asked about her favorite Chinatown food spots, my grandma mentions West New Malaysia, Cha Kee, and Curry House, all spots where she has become friendly with the owners, making each visit even more special.
Over the years, Hung Lee has become a beloved part of the neighborhood, known for both its fresh produce and longtime service to both the residential and culinary community. My grandma hopes to continue serving Chinatown with the same dedication that has defined Hung Lee for nearly two decades.ces. I learn something new every day simply because of how supportive people are of one another.”
Visit Hung Lee today and discover fresh, high-quality produce at affordable prices! Whether you’re shopping for your home-cooked meals or your restaurant’s top dishes, you’ll find everything you need. Stop by and see why so many in the community rely on Hung Lee for their daily ingredients.