Long Island’s culinary history just lost one of its oldest and most cherished landmarks: Jade King, a beloved Chinese restaurant in Roslyn Heights, has officially shut its doors after serving the community for over five decades. The closure was confirmed by a note left on the door, which read, 'Jade King is now closed. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our customers for your many years of support. Thank you, management.' The restaurant’s phone line has been disconnected, leaving many longtime patrons and neighborhood residents reflecting on the end of an era.
Located on Willis Avenue, just south of the Northern State Parkway, Jade King first opened its doors in 1975. Back in 2007, a Newsday story detailed that the restaurant was originally operated by Joe Kwok, who previously owned Joy King in Brooklyn before taking over this corner spot—an area that previously housed a place called Slowboat to China. Over the years, ownership changed hands a few times, but attempts to reach the current owner have been unsuccessful, leaving some questions about the future of the restaurant’s legacy.
Jade King epitomized the classic, sit-down, white-tablecloth Chinese dining experience. It was the kind of place where you could enjoy traditional dishes like egg foo young, chow mein, wonton soup, and egg rolls, all served in a setting that felt nostalgic and comforting. You could also unwind with a Mai Tai or other cocktails—an authentic throwback to the old-school Americanized Cantonese cuisine that once dominated the American-Chinese dining scene. But here’s where it gets controversial: over recent decades, such establishments have been gradually replaced by trendy Asian fusion spots and regional Chinese restaurants, leaving these traditional, Americanized menus largely a thing of the past. Today, most of those nostalgic dishes are now mainly found in takeout boxes rather than full-service sit-down restaurants.
The closure of Jade King marks the end of an era, joining the ranks of other long-standing Long Island eateries that have shuttered over the years, including Sun Ming in Huntington (which operated from 1966 to 2009), Hoi Ming in Sayville (from around 1968 to 2020), and Hunam in Levittown (1978 to 2007). Yet, despite these closures, some classic dishes like chow mein still thrive at other historic spots such as Kwong Ming of Wantagh, Palace of Wong in Rockville Centre, and Hy Ting in Riverhead. These places serve as living remnants of a bygone culinary tradition that shaped the local food scene.
Erica Marcus, a dedicated food writer with a skeptical edge, has been covering Long Island’s dining landscape since 1998. Her insights help us understand how these changes reflect broader shifts in American tastes and dining habits. So, what do you think—will the charm and nostalgia of old-school Chinese restaurants like Jade King ever make a comeback, or are they destined to become cherished memories? Share your thoughts and opinions—this is a conversation worth having.
