I can’t tell what’s going on in Oakland Chinatown which I love because it’s compact, not touristy and easily accessible by bus from where I live a few miles away.
Chef Lau’s at Harrison and Eighth St., a favorite of Luke Tsai’s, was undergoing repairs to the foundation but has been empty for a few years now. Chilli Padi Malaysian has turned into another hot pot place. Pho Hoa Lao on 10th Street across from Shan Dong has been empty for a year or so. New Idea Restaurant with cheap dim sum on 9th Street across from the Pacific Renaissance Plaza has been empty for maybe 2 years. Fortune Restaurant at the southeast corner of Webster and 10th St is empty. I believe that Peony on the 2nd floor of the Pacific Renaissance Plaza changed hands but I haven’t looked into whether there are changes to the menu.
Luke wrote an article in the East Bay Express some time ago about the impending redevelopment of Oakland Chinatown but I just haven’t seen it so far.
Huangcheng Noodle House seems to be doing better than its predecessor, Nan Cafe, Chan’s Kitchen appears to be doing better than Shanghai Restaurant did for decades at that spot, and maybe Imperial Soup will catch on.
There’s a lot of potential in the area, I think.
