Mountain View's Hangen Szechuan to close after 25 years | Peninsula Foodist | Elena Kadvany | Mountain View Online |

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Mountain View's Hangen Szechuan to close after 25 years

Uploaded: Sep 24, 2018
After more than two decades in the restaurant business, the owner of Hangen Szechuan in downtown Mountain View has decided to retire.

Kent Yu will close his Chinese restaurant at 134 Castro St. this weekend. His older daughter, Erica, said he's been mulling retirement on and off for several years.

"It's a very tiring job. My mom's probably ready for him to hang out with her at home and travel together," she said.


The downstairs dining room at Hangen Szechuan Restaurant in downtown Mountain View. Photo courtesy Erica Yu.

Her parents, who live in Los Altos, came to California from southern China in the 1980s. They had both been chemists in China, but couldn't afford to attend graduate school in the United States so took other jobs, Erica said. Kent worked in insurance and other fields before opening Hangen Szechuan in 1993.

Erica grew up at the restaurant, doing homework after school, learning math by manning the cash register and helping to make fresh egg rolls, dumplings and potstickers. Though the menu has changed over the years, the tea-smoked duck remains one of her favorite dishes. She now lives in Hawaii and "never leave(s) home without some tea-smoked duck in my luggage."

Hangen Szechuan's last day of business will be Sunday, Sept. 30.
Community.
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Comments

Posted by resident, a resident of Old Mountain View,
on Sep 25, 2018 at 3:09 pm

Sorry to see them go, but glad they could retire on their own terms instead of being forced to loose their business by greedy landlords


Posted by DanWaylonis, a resident of Mountain View,
on Sep 27, 2018 at 4:37 pm

DanWaylonis is a registered user.

Lots of great food and memories there! I wish the owners happiness and good travels.


Posted by james.yogi, a resident of Leland Manor/Garland Drive,
on Sep 29, 2018 at 1:39 am

Lots of great food and memories there! I wish the owners happiness and good travels.


Posted by Kathie Dietz, a resident of Mountain View,
on Sep 29, 2018 at 9:52 am

My husband, Peter, and I wish you peace and joy in your retirement. You will be greatly missed by our family which has shared many a delightful meal of great Chinese food, caring service, and happy memories at your tables,


Posted by Unkown, a resident of Mountain View,
on Oct 22, 2018 at 5:34 pm

Although I am very happy for the Yu family, I am very sad to see this restaurant go. This has been my favorite place to eat for most of my life and I will miss it and it's food very much.


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