Kowloon Restaurant Celebrates 75th Anniversary
Kowloon Restaurant Celebrates 75th Anniversary
The story of Kowloon begins during the turmoil of World War II. A young American-born student, William Wong, fled the Japanese invasion of China and found safety in Kowloon City, Hong Kong. When he returned to the United States in 1950, his parents had purchased a modest ice cream parlor and transformed it into a Chinese restaurant called the Mandarin House. By 1958, William renamed it “Kowloon” in honor of the city that had sheltered him during the war.
From that humble beginning, the Wong family grew Kowloon into the largest Chinese restaurant in America and a true Boston icon. Today, its massive Tiki-inspired entrance looms over Route 1 in Saugus, instantly recognizable to generations of New Englanders. For 75 years, Kowloon has been more than a restaurant—it’s been a gathering place, a landmark, and a living piece of Boston’s cultural history. Judging by the energy of this anniversary bash, the Wong family is just getting started.
To celebrate Kowloon’s 75th anniversary, the Wong family hosted a massive party filled with food, live entertainment, and fundraising for charity. Guests were treated to a generous buffet featuring comfort food favorites like fried rice, crab Rangoon, General Gau’s chicken, and scallion pancakes, alongside exclusives such as Kowloon fried rice and the restaurant’s legendary sweet-and-savory Saugus Wings. A dessert buffet rounded out the feast with cakes, cookies, and brownies made sure no one left hungry. After all, what’s a birthday without cake!
The celebration also came with fun keepsakes. Guests received gift bags with Kowloon swag, including water bottles and plush pandas, while a giant panda mascot posed for photos by the step-and-repeat. For sale were limited-edition Kowloon sneakers, embossed with fortune cookies and are sure to become collector’s items in the sneaker market. The bar served a special anniversary Mai Tai in a can, paired with a custom Kowloon 75th koozie, and guests could take home souvenir programs highlighting the night’s festivities.
The 75th anniversary wasn’t just a party—it was also a fundraiser for the Joey Fund, which supports people living with cystic fibrosis. Guests could bid in a silent auction that featured memorabilia from Boston sports legends, including signed posters from Tom Brady and David Ortiz, as well as a jersey autographed by Celtics star Jayson Tatum. Wrestling fans had plenty to cheer about too: a signed Hulk Hogan jersey was up for grabs, a bittersweet prize now that the “Hulkster” has recently passed away. Kowloon has long been a favorite hangout for professional wrestlers after Boston shows, as seen in the lobby’s collection of autographs. Fittingly, former WWE Champion John Cena sent in a special video message congratulating Kowloon on reaching this milestone. The night also featured a diamond-worthy raffle. In honor of the “diamond anniversary,” Kowloon gave guests the chance to win a $14,000 diamond ring—all proceeds going to charity.
Entertainment kept the celebration lively from start to finish. The evening kicked off with Scott Brown and the Diplomats. Many in Massachusetts know Scott Brown as a former U.S. Senator and diplomat, but on stage he showed off his musical chops with cover tunes ranging from Steppenwolf to Joan Jett. Attentive ears may have noticed the band even slipped in Social Distortion’s punk-rock version of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” – a treat for the hardcore ’90s punk fans in the crowd.
One of the most memorable highlights came from the Wah Lum Dragon Dance Troupe, who filled the air with the thunder of drums and clashing cymbals. Their colorful dragons weaved through the crowd, gathering children behind them in an impromptu parade. At the dance’s dramatic finale, banners unfurled with congratulations to Kowloon on 75 years of history, culture, and community.
Next up, the legendary funk and soul group Tavares brought the groove to Saugus. Known for their silky R&B harmonies and disco hits of the 1970s, the New England natives hail from both Massachusetts and Rhode Island and are no strangers to Kowloon’s stage. They had the crowd dancing with favorites like “More Than a Woman” and even surprised the audience with a rendition of “Heaven must be Missing an Angel.”
The night’s headliners were none other than Starship, true rock and roll royalty. While best known for their ’80s chart-toppers, the band’s history stretches all the way back to the psychedelic era of the 1960s. Fans were treated to classics from their Jefferson Airplane days, including “White Rabbit” and “Somebody to Love,” alongside ’80s staples like “Sara” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” Naturally, they closed their set with the anthem that defines their legacy “We Built This City” bringing the house down on a wave of rock and roll nostalgia.
In between the musical acts, the audience was treated to a short documentary on Kowloon’s remarkable journey. Current owners Bobby and Andy Wong shared their story, recalling how they both started as busboys and worked every job in the restaurant, from clearing tables to prepping food in the kitchen. From its humble beginnings as a 40-seat eatery called the Mandarin House, Kowloon has grown into a 1,200-seat landmark. Even during the pandemic shutdowns of 2020, the family kept the tradition alive by reopening with outdoor dining and live performances proving that Kowloon has always been more than a restaurant.
The documentary also revealed some fun facts about Kowloon’s scale and legacy. For example, the restaurant serves more than 70,000 pounds of fried rice each year, and over 20 employees have been with the restaurant for more than four decades—a testament to the loyalty and family atmosphere the Wongs have built.
When asked about persistent rumors that Kowloon might one day downsize or be redeveloped, co-owner Bobby Wong admitted the future is uncertain. What is certain, however, is the deep bond between Kowloon and its community. After a night like this, it’s clear that as long as the Wong family keeps the doors open, generations of guests will keep coming back.
Happy 75th to Kowloon Restaurant! Here’s to many more milestones ahead.
For more information, visit www.kowloonrestaurant.com.