Nam Fong, a popular Hong Kong-style meat shop in Honolulu’s Chinatown, is closing after 35 years. According to The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the store will officially close this Sunday, September 24.
Customers have been flocking to Nam Fong hoping to buy some char siu, roast duck or shoyu chicken before the store closes. Staff were rushing to keep up on Wednesday.
Nam Fong is located on Maunakea Street and is owned by Kim Chiu Tsun. According to Honolulu Magazine, Tsun moved to Hawai’i from Hong Kong in the 1980s. When he arrived, he couldn’t find an authentic char siu place so he opened Nam Fong in 1988.
On a typical day, Tsun told Honolulu Magazine he would wake up at 2:30 a.m. and arrive at his shop by 3 a.m. to begin roasting meat. Nam Fong used to be open from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
However, a recent downturn in business has forced the store to cut back its hours. Tsun says it is now time for him to retire.
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The store will be open Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. before it officially closes.
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