About

Pekin Noodle Parlor (built 1909) is the oldest continuously operating family owned Chinese restaurant in the United States, located in Butte, Montana. The restaurant was founded in its current location in 1911 by Hum Yow and Tam Kwong Yee. Along with the Wah Chong Tai Company mercantile building (1891) and the Mai Wah Noodle Parlor (1909), the Pekin Noodle Parlor represents one of the last surviving properties from the original Chinatown neighborhood in the Butte–Anaconda Historic District.

In 2023, the restaurant was named an American Classic

by the James Beard Foundation.

OVERVIEW

Featured in some of the worlds largest publications & media outlets.

Below are just a few.

PRESENT

Today the Pekin continues to thrive with the support of the Butte community and fans around the country. Boasting the title of the oldest family run Chinese restaurant in the United States, the Pekin continues to serve as a treasured landmark + community staple.

AN AMERICAN CLASSIC

In 2023 the Pekin Noodle Parlor was honored to receive the 'America's Classics' award from the James Beard Foundation.

DANNY WONG DAY

July 20, 2021 the city of Butte officially declared the date "Danny Wong Day" to commemorate his hard work, dedication, and outstanding hospitality.

CONTINUING THE LEGACY

Danny + Sharon's son, Jerry Tam, returned home to Butte in 2009. He worked alongside his father at the Pekin until taking over the business in 2020 following Danny's passing.

Today Jerry continues on his father's legacy and has since helped bring international attention to the Pekin with features in the New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, and many more.

GENERATIONAL HOSPITALITY

Ding Kuen Tam, the grandson of Tam Kwong Lee, left China and came to the U.S. in 1947. He became known as Danny Wong and purchased the business from its founder, his great-uncle Hum Yow, when he retired.

Wong ran the establishment for more than six decades with his wife, Sharon Chu. Chu passed away in late 2014 and Wong passed away in late 2020.

Danny left behind a strong legacy of hospitality + friendliness that left a deep imprint on the Butte community.

THE FOUNDATION

In 1911 Hum Yow + Tam Kwong Yee opened the Pekin Noodle Parlor on the 2nd floor of the Main Street building, built in 1909.

When the restaurant first opened it catered to a diverse clientele of miners, theater-goers, and wealthy citizens. Then, as now, the menu featured Chinese American classics like chow mein, chop suey, and egg foo young.

The restaurant installed their first sign in 1916 and added neon some time later.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Tam Kwong Yee left his home in Guangzhou and immigrated to the United States via San Fransisco in the 1860s.

In 1909 Tam Kwong Yee moved to Butte, Montana with his business partner + family relative Hum Yow, and Yow's wife Bessie.

With a population of 100,000 many Chinese immigrants relocated to the bustling mining city of Butte where economic opportunities were flourishing. Here, the Chinese community created a lively 6 block Chinatown.