Can anyone remember where the first Chinese restaurant was in the city. I think I remember in the fifties a place starting up on West street/Glossop Road calling itself the Rickshaw. It was so popular originally that there were regularly queues outside waiting to be let in. Orwas it the Zing Vaa on the Moor. I know that the Zing Vaa was, and is, a more pretentious place, and that official visitors from China ate there

Some more info here

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=935

Thanks for your help. I seem to remember trying to get in there after returning from Glossop Road baths, but there was always a long queue

I remember as a child in the 60's a chinese eating place in commercial street called the Gambit .You went down steps to it.It was somewhere under the Gas Showrooms I think

Originally posted by riddo7up
Can anyone remember where the first Chinese restaurant was in the city. I think I remember in the fifties a place starting up on West street/Glossop Road calling itself the Rickshaw. It was so popular originally that there were regularly queues outside waiting to be let in. Orwas it the Zing Vaa on the Moor. I know that the Zing Vaa was, and is, a more pretentious place, and that official visitors from China ate there

the rickshaw cafe was just off west street, at the junction of Eldon Street and Broomhall street, at the side of the old Royal Hospital (where the new Royal plaza and tesco is now)

You can still see the old Gas lamp which stood outside the building.

My father was brought up in a flat above the rickshaw cafe, for the first few years of his life, before moving back to the summer street/ fawcett street area (before the wholesale slum clearance)

PT

When I was the office junior 1959 ish we used to go to the Peacock in the Wicker for the "Businessmans" lunch, 3 courses for 3 and 6 pence, not sure what that is in todays money.

Originally posted by rainbow2411
we used to go to the Peacock in the Wicker for the "Businessmans" lunch, 3 courses for 3 and 6 pence, not sure what that is in todays money.

17.5p
Bargain

Decimal to old money converter (http://www.plymouthdata.info/Old%20English%20Money%20Converter.htm)

In the late 50s I was a copper and one night I had cause to enter the Rickshaw - the front door was open! The upper floor was used as accommodation by several of the waiters who became quite worried when I walked inti their room, after knocking mind.
I used the place regularly after that.

I think the first cninese was the WELCOME on West Bar

the rickshaw cafe was just off west street, at the junction of Eldon Street and Broomhall street, at the side of the old Royal Hospital (where the new Royal plaza and tesco is now)

You can still see the old Gas lamp which stood outside the building.

PT

Before the Rickshaw(s), there was The Oriental (also know affectionally as Sunburnt Harry's) on Langsett Road but I don't know whether you would call it a Chinese Restaurant. I used to eat there farely regularly.

The Rickshaw mentioned above by PT (lets call it Rickshaw 1) was certainly the first Chinese Restaurant in what might be called the centre of town (c1957). It was very popular because:

It was the only one. It was certainly one of the very few places around that offered something different to the traditional English (meat and two veg.) that we had all grown up on.

It was open seven days a week and in the evening (remember all the other restaurant in town in 1957 were locked-up tight by 6pm every night, particularly on Saturday night)

It offered good food at reasonable prices.

Rickshaw 2 (corner of Broomhall Street and Devonshire Street) opened a few years later but didn't last long.

The Zing Vaa opened soon after Rickshaw 1. It's big attraction, apart from the quality of the food and service, was that it was really in the middle of town and more up-market that the Rickshaw.

Places Like the Welcome on West Bar and the Peacock in the Wicker came shortly after the Rickshaw. The Businessman's lunches (Mon-Sat) were very popular. The Peacock used to be hopping at lunch time on Saturday.

I think that you can credit the Rickshaw, and the other Chinese restaurants that came later, with totally changing the eating habits of a generation of Sheffielders and everyone who came later. Before that, if you wanted Chinese
food, Indian or anything the least bit different, you had to go to Manchester, Birmingham or London.

Falls

I remember one of the first was in the Wicker but cannot think of the name this was before 1950.

When I was the office junior 1959 ish we used to go to the Peacock in the Wicker for the "Businessmans" lunch, 3 courses for 3 and 6 pence, not sure what that is in todays money.


In today's money it is seventeen and a half pence.

I remember one of the first was in the Wicker but cannot think of the name this was before 1950.


I lived in the Wicker district (1937-1960). The only eating places of any description that I remember in, say, 1950, were the Wilberforce cafe and tea room on the north side ( between Stanley Street and Andrews Street) and Balfour's works canteen opposite.

There was a tea room down on the other side, towards the arches, next to the gate into Balfour's. ( I think it was called the Cosy Cafe). They sold sandwiches but not sure about hot meals; chinese or otherwise.

The Peacock Restaurant was the only Chinese that I know of along there. That came along in 1959-1960.

Regards

I remember my parents used to go to one in the early 60s and it was in Fitzalan Square I think.

fallsmy mum used to live in the wicker in the thirties she lived on johnstone st then later on andrew st .snow and co was built on thesite of one of there old houses.going back to the tpoic there usedto be a chinese restaurant on thecorner of surrey st and norfolk st opposite the town hall it wascalledthe chop suey its now the halifax building society

If you want to actually trace the first chinese restaurant in Sheffield it was opened by Man Gee Wong whose parents had a Chinese Laundry in Ecclesall Road, just past the block of shops that used to house a snooker hall on the first floor, and just before you get to Hickmott Road.

Man Gee now lives in Harrogate.

There was a Chinese restaurant called the Canary, I think it was on Charles Street. I remember my dad taking me for the "businessman's lunch" at 3/6 in the early sixties.

If you want to actually trace the first chinese restaurant in Sheffield it was opened by Man Gee Wong whose parents had a Chinese Laundry in Ecclesall Road, just past the block of shops that used to house a snooker hall on the first floor, and just before you get to Hickmott Road.

Man Gee now lives in Harrogate.

Where was it and what was it called ?

I think The Rickshaw was the first. Don't forget Lin Hong at Highfields. Its now got another name but it was definitely open in 1957. That's the year I started work. We used to get a lunch for half a crown.

Yeah, the Rickshaw,THATS where they had the egg boxes, painted blue, on the ceiling! Man, some wierd stuff kicking around in my head.

There was a Chinese restaurant called the Canary, I think it was on Charles Street. I remember my dad taking me for the "businessman's lunch" at 3/6 in the early sixties.
There's still a chinese restaurant in Charles Street call Mei's.

This is going back in time. I didn't know that a lot of the chinese restaurants in Sheffield are still in their original buldings. I've only ever heard my parents talk about Zing Vaa sometimes, but my family aren't from Sheffield originally, but I here my aunties talk of it a lot more. Apparently Zing Vaa used to be *the* place to work for. I think I know the first owner's daughter. (I think that is right. She still lives in Sheffield.) Zing Vaa has changed many owners since then.

It's funny, I recall serving a customer a long time ago in my brother's place somewhere else, and she was telling me how chinese restaurants used to be. I couldn't believe her when she told me that Zing Vaa had such a long standing history. She was also telling me about these lunch vouchers which her company gave her as well.

If you want to actually trace the first chinese restaurant in Sheffield it was opened by Man Gee Wong whose parents had a Chinese Laundry in Ecclesall Road, just past the block of shops that used to house a snooker hall on the first floor, and just before you get to Hickmott Road.

Man Gee now lives in Harrogate.
:)

Hey, I never did ask my granma or my aunties who'd lived in Sheffield for a long time about the laundry place.

Glad you found the guy. I recall your thread asking about him. I'm curious about the history now.

Where was it and what was it called ?

I think The Rickshaw was the first. Don't forget Lin Hong at Highfields. Its now got another name but it was definitely open in 1957. That's the year I started work. We used to get a lunch for half a crown.

was the lin hong the restaurant beside the Highfield Library, in Highfield? it was the Golden Dragon or something similar, when I was a kid, it's got another name, these days, which I can't remember.

My first "chinese" meal was in what is now a take away on Barnsley rd at the lights just before the hospital next to a kitchen centre. We had to go upstairs and when I think back it was like being at a kitchen table.
I had no idea what to pick and ende up with an omelette.

was the lin hong the restaurant beside the Highfield Library, in Highfield? it was the Golden Dragon or something similar, when I was a kid, it's got another name, these days, which I can't remember.
It used to be Golden Dragon, and then I think it's changed to something like Man Lee ?... I can't remember the recent name now though. My friend who I met at chinese school used to own that place, but they're sold on now. It didn't have customers there at all. The decorations are still very 80s.

There was a Chinese restaurant called the Canary, I think it was on Charles Street. I remember my dad taking me for the "businessman's lunch" at 3/6 in the early sixties.
I remember the Zing Vaa but the best one was the Golden Dragon :thumbsup:

I think i heard of a place in Attercliffe. My dad used to tell me all the time that he was going out to attercliffe to drink the "cream of sumyung guy".

Don't know where the restaurant was - but it must have liked it - he was always going out!

does anyone know the name of the place with this speciality??

Hi.I always thought the chinese restaurant on London Rd. at Highfield opposite the junction with Abbeydale Rd. was the first one in Sheff,only trouble is I can't remember the name.I think it was the Silver something or other.I can remember visiting it in the late fifties,perhaps around 1958 or 59ish when I was an apprentice with Sheffield Transport Dept.(S.T.D.)

late 50's there was the welcome chinese restaurant.. at the bottom of snig hill.. sheff. turn left where new court houses are now.. there was the gun smiths.. called turners.. then there was this restuarant... so my father in law says.. lol hes now.. 75

My inlaws always visited linongs excuse the spelling of it.I think she went in about 45 years ago

The Rickshaw Chinese Restaurant was on the corner of Broomhall St and Devonshire Street, I used to go there quite often. Ron Delta the Comedian was a regular diner--- but to when it first opened I dont know.

I will put in my little bit LIN HONG was definetly open in 1959 so can anybody find one open before that

I will put in my little bit LIN HONG was definetly open in 1959 so can anybody find one open before that

Where was the Lin Hong? I'm sure I've been there.

I think it was on london road I may be wrong but they that end of town on langdon street opposite joe scarborough

it was next to highfield library

I will put in my little bit LIN HONG was definetly open in 1959 so can anybody find one open before that

my grandparents married in 1938. the restaurant they lived above was/ became the rickshaw.

Where was it and what was it called ?

I think The Rickshaw was the first. Don't forget Lin Hong at Highfields. Its now got another name but it was definitely open in 1957. That's the year I started work. We used to get a lunch for half a crown.

I remember lin hongs as I lived opposite it on ward place and had many a meal in the 50`s

I can remember going in the Rickshaw around 1958, but I can only recall drinking their Russian tea, I remember it as more of a sort of cafe.
The first meal I ever ate in a chinese resteraunt was in Lin Hongs, app 1960, and as so many people have mentioned it, I reckon it must be the first or perhaps the first of the new wave of them. Used to go there odd times with the kids in the seventies ( change of name ), and actually went a few months ago for old times sake - big mistake.
Funny, I can even recall what I ate on my first ever visit - chicken breast and chips - not very adventurous was I.

Whoever said that these places started the habit of eating-out, is I think correct. There were very few affordable places before the chinese resteraunts.

I remember going in "Lin Hongs" on London Road, We went upstairs to eat ( I think there were tables downstairs too. This was in the 60's

I can remember going in the Rickshaw around 1958, but I can only recall drinking their Russian tea, I remember it as more of a sort of cafe.
The first meal I ever ate in a chinese resteraunt was in Lin Hongs, app 1960, and as so many people have mentioned it, I reckon it must be the first or perhaps the first of the new wave of them. Used to go there odd times with the kids in the seventies ( change of name ), and actually went a few months ago for old times sake - big mistake.
Funny, I can even recall what I ate on my first ever visit - chicken breast and chips - not very adventurous was I.

Whoever said that these places started the habit of eating-out, is I think correct. There were very few affordable places before the chinese resteraunts.O.K. here we go! The Rickshaw on Devonshire Street and Lin Hongs London Road, were probably the first in Sheffield. The Rickshaw had a cocktail bar on the first floor called the blue Lagoon bar, where all the Sheffield scrap dealers ,car dealers and other sensitive characters, used to meet up and their "molls" used to dance to a swing/jazz trio.Around that time the Zing Vaa on the Moor opened, but I and the rest of the musical fraternity always prefered the food and the vibes of the Rickshaw.The Welcome on West Bar ,the Canary on Charles Street and the Bluebird at Hillsboro came later.( the Oriental on Infimary Road was something else!, an oasis for returning gigging bands of the 60s, but awful really)The best and classiest Chinese restuarant ever to open its doors in Sheffield was the "Kwok Man" on Charles street, nr Pollards Coffee Shop (first floor)superb cantonese style food of a higher order! worthy of 2 Michelin stars! eventually moved back to Manchester,as people would not pay the higher prices than the rest of the chinese restuarants of the day! their Loss!

Where was it and what was it called ?

I think The Rickshaw was the first. Don't forget Lin Hong at Highfields. Its now got another name but it was definitely open in 1957. That's the year I started work. We used to get a lunch for half a crown.

Minor point - According to the 1963 Kelly's it was called Ling Hong. But that was probably a mistake if plenty are remembering as Lin Hong.

O.K. here we go! The Rickshaw on Devonshire Street and Lin Hongs London Road, were probably the first in Sheffield. The Rickshaw had a cocktail bar on the first floor called the blue Lagoon bar, where all the Sheffield scrap dealers ,car dealers and other sensitive characters, used to meet up and their "molls" used to dance to a swing/jazz trio.Around that time the Zing Vaa on the Moor opened, but I and the rest of the musical fraternity always prefered the food and the vibes of the Rickshaw.The Welcome on West Bar ,the Canary on Charles Street and the Bluebird at Hillsboro came later.( the Oriental on Infimary Road was something else!, an oasis for returning gigging bands of the 60s, but awful really)The best and classiest Chinese restuarant ever to open its doors in Sheffield was the "Kwok Man" on Charles street, nr Pollards Coffee Shop (first floor)superb cantonese style food of a higher order! worthy of 2 Michelin stars! eventually moved back to Manchester,as people would not pay the higher prices than the rest of the chinese restuarants of the day! their Loss!
My father was the main contractor who converted the Kwok Man restaurant to Faces nightclub. I remember him bringing goldfish home from the tank that was in the restaurant and some carpet which I had in my bedroom. I used to go to school smelling of chow mein!! Happy days

fallsmy mum used to live in the wicker in the thirties she lived on johnstone st then later on andrew st .snow and co was built on thesite of one of there old houses.going back to the tpoic there usedto be a chinese restaurant on thecorner of surrey st and norfolk st opposite the town hall it wascalledthe chop suey its now the halifax building society

106 Norfolk Street, according to Kelly's. In 1939 it was Hudson's cornerhouse cafe. At some time before 1963, it had become The Chop Suey.

Still according to my friend Mr Kelly, the Halifax BS was around the corner, with a Surrey Street address. In both 1939 and 1963 it was called the Halifax Building.

Physically the same building, presumably, but with entrances on both Surrey Street and Norfolk Street.

The first Lin Hongs was on Pittsmoor Rd ,just below the Pittsmoor club.This would be '55/'56 approx.It was just a ''back to back'' converted.

Hi.I always thought the chinese restaurant on London Rd. at Highfield opposite the junction with Abbeydale Rd. was the first one in Sheff,only trouble is I can't remember the name.I think it was the Silver something or other.I can remember visiting it in the late fifties,perhaps around 1958 or 59ish when I was an apprentice with Sheffield Transport Dept.(S.T.D.)
It is still there and has had a number of names over the years, In the early 70's it was the Golden Tiger
It is now the Golden Lee

They still do a lunchtime special for half-a-crown


Just kidding...

The original Kwok Man I think was on West Bar, I remember going there in the early 70`s, before the Zing Vaa

The 1973 Kelly's directory (compiled in 1972) doesn't mention the Kwok Man, but the Welcome was at 39/41 West Bar at that time. Restaurants are not all classified as to their cuisine in the directory, but other identifiable Chinese restaurants seem to be:

...Butterfly, 27 Staniforth Road
...Choi Kee, 834 Ecclesall Road
...Concord, 106 Norfolk Street
...Gambit, Commercial Street
...Golden Dragon, 6/8 Matilda Street
...Golden Tiger, 281 London Road
...Hanwu 196 London Road
...Low & Wong, 211 Duke Street
...Mandarin, 4 Effingham Square
...Mei Hong, 459 Firth Park Road
...Oriental, 288 Langsett Road
...Peacock, 37 The Wicker
...Silver Dragon, 7 Holme Lane
...Silver Star, 8 Charles Street
...Silver Palace, 27 London Road
...Sun, 607 London Road
...Zing Vaa, 55 The Moor

How many blokes remember Anna who worked in the rickshaw? we used to make our spanish ommlette and rice last ages just to look at her.she was the image of Patsy in absolutely fabulous. Never dared ask her for a date though!