Massachusetts Matriarch Has Been Working at the Kowloon for Over Half a Century

I love the Kowloon in Saugus, and I don't care who knows it!

It is so difficult to drive past it on Route 1 in Saugus and not stop in for an order of crab rangoons and a scorpion bowl every single time. Talk about exercising self-control.

The Kowloon is so much more than an iconic Chinese eatery. Over the past few decades, it has become a cornerstone of the Saugus experience.

The Kowloon was founded back in 1950. Back then she was just a modest Chinese restaurant with a simple mission: to bring authentic Asian cuisine to the North Shore.

Over the years, it has evolved into a bustling, and dare I say rowdy, hub of activity. It draws in locals and visitors alike with its unique blend of delectable food, live music, comedy shows, and nightlife scene.

The restaurant's extensive past and continued success are a reflection of its ability to adapt to the changing times while remaining true to who they were when they started.

Someone who has been there since almost the beginning is Lan Yee. This queen is the longest working Kowloon employee and she recently turned 83-years-old.

Lan, I speak for all the ladies, what is your skincare routine? Are we sipping on the fountain of youth? She looks UNBELIEVABLE!

According the restaurant's recent Instagram post, Lan started working at the Kowloon in 1968. She was born in 1941 in Kowloon/Hong Kong, Lan's mother died upon delivering her. Her father took her to America as a single father and he was penniless. Since he had no money, he began working in a laundry mat and lived in housing with many other single immigrant men.

When a social worker spotted Lan at the age of 5l living amongst them, she was taken away from her father. Lan was then put into a camp used primarily for people infected with T.B. (Tuberculosis). The camp was in Mattapan called the Prendergast Preventorium. She lived there for over 10 years.

Eventually she was able to leave on occasion to babysit for a family (Mrs. Moy) to earn spending money. It's during this time she met her future husband, Sonny Yee. When she married Sonny she was able to leave the Preventorium for good.

Sonny served in the US Army and was stationed in Korea. During this time Lan was a live in babysitter for a family for 6-7 years.

When Sonny was released from the Army, he took a job at the Kowloon as a waiter. Lan and her family moved to Saugus soon after. The family Lan was babysitting for gave Lan and Sonny money for a down payment and they purchased a home in Saugus. Lan still lives there and it's the home where she raised two children.

Lan first started as a waitress at the Kowloon and then she became the take out/catering manager.

Today she works in the morning, three days a week, doing pre-opening tasks and answering early phone calls.

Kowloon's success and longevity is the result of great employees that they have been fortunate to have such as Lan. Without her, they would not be what they are today.

Happy 83rd birthday, Lan! And congrats to the Kowloon for 75 years of serving our community.

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