Business Spotlight: Kwok’s Food King
Tell us who you are!
We’re the local takeout spot tucked under the Manhattan Bridge. Our parents, Henny and Lisa, opened Kwok’s Food King in 1975 after working several restaurant bar jobs in NYC like McAnn’s and Blarney Stone. It was through the restaurant that they were able to learn English, make friends, and find their place in their new community. Even after 45 years, the business is still family owned and operated.
Opening Day, 1975
So your business has been around for a long time — 45 years. What was the neighborhood like when Kwok’s Food King first opened? Is there anything that you think has remained the same?
We were definitely the new kids on the block at the time but the neighborhood was welcoming. Through the years, we grew up with generations of families in our neighborhood while serving the classic, comforting Chinese American food.
One of our favorite things that has remained the same is that we truly have the most caring customers. We were closed for a few months during covid but our customers still reached out to check when we would reopen and asked how our family was doing.
What’s a fun fact about Kwok’s Food King?
A lot of movies and tv shows are filmed in the area. As New Yorkers, you think we wouldn’t get starstruck but Chow Yun Fat, THE God of Gamblers, has dined with us!
What are some of your most popular dishes?
Crab Rangoons, BBQ Spare Ribs, House Special Lo-Mein, KFK’s Homemade Sweet Tea (brewed with oolong tea leaves) and our newest item to the menu “Create Your Own Stir Fry” has been a hit. It’s vegetarian and vegan friendly too.
What do you love most about Chinatown?
We absolutely love the familiar faces within our community and the variety of Asian cuisines. We grew up going to Chinatown restaurants for family dinners. Chinatown restaurants will always pull some magic to accommodate- whether finding a space for everyone during their busiest times, or more recently, creating outdoor dining areas that still feel intimate, even from 6 feet apart.
How can people continue to support your family’s business?
We’re open pretty late serving up the neighborhood. Swing by, give us a call or order on Seamless, we’re here for you. We’re also relatively new to social media, follow us on Instagram for fun food pics, menu updates and KFK nostalgic photos: @kwoksfoodking
