With Chinese New Year 2023 fast approaching we thought it would be a good time to celebrate China's rich cultural links with the city of Glasgow - and where better to start than with the many great Chinese restaurants that have operated in our city down the years.
This year is the year of the rabbit and on January 21 and 22, the festivities will begin as we warmly wish China a 'Kung Hei Fat Choy' (Happy New Year).
It's a message we've been extending to our Far East friends since the first Cantonese-speaking sailors came to Glasgow in the 17th century, but the city's first proper Chinese restaurant would not appear until 1948.
READ MORE: The story of Wah Yen - Glasgow's first ever Chinese restaurant
That accolade went to Wah Yen, which was run by Jimmy Yih on Govan Road, and since then dozens of Chinese eateries have opened in the city and introduced locals to exotic new dishes that are now widely enjoyed.
We take a look at a seven of Glasgow's lost Chinese restaurants and takeaways where we first experienced the delicious taste of egg fried rice, chicken chow mein and crispy aromatic duck.
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Wah Yen
As mentioned, Jimmy Yih's Wah Yen at 455 Govan Road, was Glasgow's first Chinese restaurant, having opened just after the Second World War.
Mr Yih was among the first wave of Chinese immigrants to the city who had their roots in Hong Kong, and who brought with them the Cantonese style of cooking that would soon become a staple part of the Glasgow diet.
Chongs
Subsequent to Wah Yeh, Mr Wong Chong from Hong Kong opened up a restaurant called Chongs on Sauchiehall Street in 1959 as Glaswegians’ appetite for Chinese dishes grew greater.
Peking
Peking was another of Glasgow's earliest Chinese restaurants. The legendary eatery opened in Sauchiehall Street and was a favourite late night staple throughout the 1970s.
Sun
Byres Road has long been famous for its diversity and vibrant cultural mix. In the 1980s the famous street was home to Sun Chinese restaurant, which was very popular and highly-rated back in the day despite the eatery itself being quite small.
Peking Inn
Not to be confused with the similarly-named eatery at Sauchiehall Street we mentioned earlier, the Peking Inn on Hope Street was for a long time one of Glasgow's top-rated Chinese restaurants. Some still say it served the best Chinese takeaway they ever had.
Hong Kong Express
Located at 437 Sauchiehall Street, Hong Kong Express was a firm favourite for a whole generation of Chinese food lovers - especially on a Friday or Saturday night. Sadly the business, which closed in 2015, has been just one of many to have bitten the dust along the famous thoroughfare in recent years. The premises are now home to a KFC, which is not quite the same...
Panda Chinese Cuisine
With tables overlooking the River Clyde, Panda at Springfield Quay boasted a delicious menu and views to match. The spacious and tastefully-decorated buffet restaurant closed three years ago and is much-missed.
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