Business Spotlight: Mee Sum Cafe

Hing Jea, manager of Mee Sum Cafe

Mee Sum Cafe
26 Pell Street

Since 1967, Mee Sum Cafe has been a go-to staple in Manhattan Chinatown. Located on 26 Pell Street, this small business has been serving traditional family style Chinese food and creating community for more than 5 decades.

Blog by Alice Yang, Photos by Donny Tsang

We spoke with Hing Jea, who has served as the manager of Mee Sum for 25 years – overseeing day-to-day operations. Many consider her the backbone of Mee Sum. We first connected with Hing Jea in 2020 through our Sik Faan Fund, and have continued working with her through the last few years.

Hing Jea was born in Taishan, China, and immigrated to the United States in 1997. Her first job was at Mee Sum, where Donald, the owner and her uncle, welcomed her in. Over time, Mee Sum became more than just a workplace—it grew into a family-run business and an important pillar in our community. 

Her day starts off bright and early at 6am. The first order of business is to get the coffee going and start the food prep. When I asked Hing Jea what her favorite part of running a business was, she said it was seeing the regulars and how everyone has grown to become one big family. Over the years, they’ve built deep connections – Hing Jea said she really appreciates the bonds they’ve formed.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Mee Sum took an economic hit and struggled to stay afloat. This was compounded by the rising trend of residents moving out of the neighborhood at the time. At the peak of the pandemic, Mee Sum Cafe was one of the businesses we partnered with to deliver meals to hospitals and food pantries across the city. 

Hing Jea also expressed how deeply grateful she is for Welcome to Chinatown and the Longevity Fund that helped them immensely during those times. She feels so thankful for Alan (who helped me translate this interview), and Grace Young for helping give Mee Sum a platform. Hing Jea said this was one of the best examples on how people in Chinatown support and show up for one another, stating that she “really feels the overwhelming love and support from everyone every single day.”  

Every single business in Chinatown makes an impact on residents, frequenters and visitors. I asked Hing Jea what her favorite meals she had at Mee Sum was and she stated that the “Salted Chicken and Fish, Beef Stew, and iconic Shrimp and Egg Rice” were some of her favorites.

If you’re on the lookout for traditional Cantonese comfort food, Mee Sum is just the spot. The dishes are served family-style, emulating the warmth and flavor of a home-cooked meal, just like what you’d enjoy at a relative’s house during a special occasion. For top recommendations, be sure to check out Grace Young's top picks!