Shang-Chai, the 4 decades-old, famous, kosher Chinese restaurant on Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn, will be closing its door this week (1/1/13) due to “renovations” (according to thejfile.com). “A bank is likely to open in the location” in place of the restaurant according to the maître d’ of ShangChai.
Shang-Chai was one of those places that was consistent. The service wasn’t the best, but the food was always flavorful. No place in Brooklyn, especially the non-Chinese restaurants with Chinese menus (I’m looking at you Chap A Nosh, Kosher Delight, Essex on Coney, etc.) had better Chinese food.
It’s a place that many of us who grew up in Brooklyn remember for the birthday parties, Sheva Brachot, and family dinners.
There’s a sense of nostalgia from all corners of the Brooklyn Jewish community (whether you considered it kosher or not!) for Shang-Chai. It will sorely be missed.
H/T to TYW user ‘DaasYochid’ for “Shang-Meis”
[…] blog yeahthatskosher.com cutely dubbed the restaurant’s new name as Shang Meis (from Chai to […]
I’ve never been there but I can imagine how nostalgic a place like this can be. It’s a sad day!
So sad. I’ve never been there but it sounds like Shang hai in LA
I’ve never been there but fondly remember the one from my old neighborhood, also closed. Sadly the end of an era, like so many delis also.
When I first moved to NY from the Midwest, while I was in college, I remember visiting this restaurant with some friends. I loved this place. It was so neat to be able to go to a kosher chinese restaurant!
I’ve only been to a handful of Chinese places on the East Coast, Glatt Wok and the place in Boston are the most memorable.
I will now take the opportunity to share with the readers my favourite Jewish Chinese food joke:
A Jewish man mentioned to a Chinese fellow what a wise and venerable people the Chinese are.
“Yes,” replied the Chinese man, “Our culture is over 4,000 years old.”
The Jewish man replied, “We Jews are a very wise and ancient people, too. Our culture is over 5,000 years old.”
The Chinese man was incredulous, “That’s impossible, he replied. Where did your people eat for a thousand years?”
We will all miss you, Shang Chai (http://bit.ly/SEt1kC).