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Neighbor Spotlight: Lee How Fook is Chinatown’s Second Home

11/19/2019

Craving authentic, mouth-watering Chinese cuisine? Luckily for Crane Chinatown residents, Lee How Fook is just a four-minute walk away from our apartment community in the heart of Philadelphia’s Chinatown neighborhood. With an extensive, 10-page menu filled with delicious appetizers, entrees, and bubble teas, everyone is sure to find something to satisfy their cravings. 

We had the pleasure of sitting down and speaking with Emily Huang, owner of Lee How Fook. Members of Huang’s family opened the restaurant in 1983, and she purchased it to call her own about a year and a half ago. Lee How Fook has been in the same building for the past 30 years, making it a staple in the culturally rich neighborhood. 

Owner Emily Huang pictured with the signature salt-baked squid. Yum!

Huang and her parents moved to Philadelphia from China 10 years ago. When asked what she loves most about Chinatown she says, “It’s like a home away from China—it feels like a second home to me.” She calls the restaurant her baby, and she hopes to make some changes to attract younger audiences and return to an old, classic-style restaurant. They also have a private room available to rent out for large parties.

The most popular item on the menu is the salt-baked squid, which consists of fresh-cut calamari lightly breaded and fried to perfection. “Everyone who comes here wants the salt-baked squid,” Huang says. “It might be the best in town or in America.” Is it the best in the nation? There’s only one way to find out! 

Lee How Fook’s rich history is on display all over the restaurant.

When asked about her favorite item on the menu, Huang promptly answered dim sum because of its meaning to her. The original restaurant made dim sum, and now she’s hoping to bring back traditions by adding more dumpling options to the menu—all made from scratch herself. From fresh shrimp dumplings to all-new pork soup dumplings, no dish is complete without adding a dash of Lee How Fook’s sweet and tangy signature sauce!

Lee How Fook is a perfect example of what makes our Chinatown neighborhood so special. As Huang says, it’s a home away from home. Stop by for a bite to eat after you tour Crane Chinatown—you definitely won’t regret it!