By Charles Infosino
Contributing Writer
Friday, May 09, 2008
Ever since Chan's Asian Wok in Mason was named as one of the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the country last November, business has grown by at least 10 percent and is increasing.
"Business is improving a lot for take-out and dining-in compared to before winning," says Ricky Chan, chef and assistant manager. "We heard it from our customers and a church pastor. Church members are coming to try our food one by one."
The fourth annual Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in USA Awards Ceremony took place in New York City's Jacob Javits Convention Center on Nov. 11, 2007. Chef Martin Yan, author and former host of the national cooking show, "Yan Can Cook," and Chef Lee Anne Wong, former contestant on the Bravo series, "Top Chef," hosted the event. David Chan, manager and co-owner of the family-owned restaurant, was present to receive the trophy and certificate for his restaurant's achievement.
The winners were chosen from direct votes from diners, the public at large, and the AboutFace Mystery Diner program. AboutFace, a mystery shopping company, made anonymous visits and assessments of each candidate's restaurant.
The Chan Clan
David Chan was born to a Christian family in Fuzhou, China in 1947. The communist takeover in 1949 made life challenging for religious people. "When you went to school, they would ask you if you had any religion," David Chan said. "You had to say no."
Chan married in 1969. He and his wife, Yikchai, had three children: Kenny, Ivy, and Ricky. David moved to the United States in 1979 and his family followed him after he was financially settled.
The Chan family opened Chan's Asian Wok in June 2004. David is the restaurant co-owner and manager, his son Ricky is the head chef and assistant manager, and Ricky's wife, Linda, is a server. Yikchai takes care of Angela, Ricky and Linda's daughter.
Chan's Asian Wok
Chan's Asian Wok serves a variety of Chinese cuisine, as well as a few other Asian dishes. The house specialties are bourbon chicken, teriyaki chicken, and orange chicken — and good customer service.
"I talk to the customer and every time the customers sit down eating, I go to table and it check out," David Chan said. "We listen to the people."
The Chans are devout Christians, which reflects in their business practices. The restaurant's paper place mats have prayers printed on them. More significantly, Chan's Asian Wok donates food to local charitable organizations.
how to go
WHAT: Chan's Asian Wok
WHERE: 8221 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason
MORE INFO: (513) 770-6788, Fax (513) 770-6789, home.fuse.net/clymer/wb/chans
HOURS: Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m
