One of San Francisco's most respected Cantonese-style duck and pork shops will be moving out of its longtime Chinatown district.
Hing Lung will sell its last fried birds at 1261 Stockton St. on Sunday, April 7, the owners told the Chronicle. Hing Lung's owners say rent for the 43-year-old company's premises is rising and that the building is in poor condition.
“We believe this step is necessary for the well-being of our team and our customers,” the owners’ message read in part.
Current plans call for the reopening of Hing Lung at 927 Post St., a handsome brick building in the Tenderloin that was formerly the site of the upscale Meraki Market, by the end of June.
Hing Lung's other project, a restaurant in Bernal Heights called Go Duck Yourself, is still in the works and will welcome guests by the end of April. While the closing announcement comes suddenly, Hing Lung's employees will be at the new restaurant at 439 Cortland Ave. work.
Brothers Eric and Simon Cheung, who were born in Hong Kong but grew up in the Sunset District, took over Hing Lung from their father Wing in the 1990s. “Eric and Simon are heartbroken about leaving Chinatown behind,” said Patricia Tien, Eric’s wife and a spokesperson for the restaurant. “The room holds precious memories and honors our late father’s legacy.”
Hing Lung is a staple on Chronicle's list of best Chinatown restaurants. “The shop’s crispy and juicy Peking duck and roast pork represent old-school Cantonese barbecue at its best,” wrote former Chronicle restaurant critic Soleil Ho.
