Mee Sum Cafe

Walking into Mee Sum Cafe is like stepping back in time. Located on one of the oldest streets in Chinatown, it was first opened in 1967 by the Moy family. They left Guangzhou, China, and fled to Hong Kong in 1955 to escape persecution from the Communist Party. When the opportunity to pursue the American Dream arose, they immigrated to the United States in 1963.

The family worked in Chinatown’s three-pillar industries at the time—the garment, laundry, and restaurant sectors—saving for four years before opening Mee Sum Cafe. As the oldest of four children, Donald Moy arrived in the U.S. at 18 and never had the chance to receive a formal education. Instead, he worked alongside his father at the restaurant. In 2005, Donald took over Mee Sum from his aging father.

Today, Mee Sum Cafe remains hugely popular among Chinatown’s elderly community, drawn by its nostalgic atmosphere and remarkably low prices.

26 Pell Street, New York, NY 10013