Chef Zhu

For Chef Zhu, success is not measured by money or fame. Instead, he defines success as having good health, a happy family, and a peaceful, tranquil life. Despite having dedicated over forty years to mastering Shanghainese cuisine and running a restaurant in San Diego for more than three decades, he still does not view himself as "successful." His journey has been one of hard work and sweat, shaped by unexpected life events that transformed his outlook on life.

From the Chinese Countryside to the "American Dream"

Chef Zhu’s story began in the countryside of Shanghai, China, where he learned the value of honesty and hard work. Before becoming a chef, he held various jobs working in farming, a cardboard box factory, and a bearing plant. Although these roles were short-lived, they led him to discover his passion for the culinary industry at the age of twenty. Four years later, he underwent formal culinary training, launching a career that would define the rest of his life.

Before coming to the United States, Chef Zhu worked as a chef in Germany for three years. While he enjoyed the environment there, Germany only permitted short-term stays on a work visa. Upon returning to China, he grew disillusioned with a social culture driven by vanity and one-upmanship. Seeking a fresh start, he immigrated to the U.S. and eventually settled in San Diego.

Building a Culinary Career on Self-Confidence

Opening a restaurant was never just about making money for him. Seeing friends around him start their own businesses, Chef Zhu believed he could do the same. He possessed great confidence in the culinary skills he had honed over decades. He openly acknowledges that self-confidence has been a key factor in his success.

Rather than blindly chasing trends, he focuses on authentic Shanghainese flavors. Dishes such as Braised Lion's Head Meatballs and Steamed Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Greens (Mei Cai Kou Rou) are beloved by customers and remain his signature offerings to this day.

Three Decades of Loyal Companionship

Chef Zhu has not relied on social media advertising to expand his business; instead, his restaurant has grown almost entirely through word of mouth. He focuses on serving high quality dishes and building trust with every customer. Those who first visited over thirty years ago still return today, bringing along friends, family, and even their own grandchildren. His business philosophy has always been simple: create authentic, delicious food that people love, and customers will naturally keep coming back.

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, his business continued to grow as many customers came for takeout. His challenge wasn't a lack of customers, but an inability to hire staff. Unable to find enough employees to maintain smooth daily operations, Chef Zhu eventually decided to transfer the restaurant, though he later opened a new one.

Although many view Chef Zhu as a successful businessman, his own perspective on life is quite different. In an interview, he candidly admitted that his greatest regret was not financial loss, but the time he missed spending with his family. After experiencing a marital breakdown, he deeply felt the heavy personal cost of the years he had poured into his business. For decades, Chef Zhu worked from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day, without taking holidays or breaks. When asked if all that hard work was worth it, he blurted out, "It wasn't." To Chef Zhu, professional success isn't everything; he believes true success also encompasses a happy family and a fulfilling life.

Advice for the Next Generation

As a chef and business owner with over forty years of experience, he encourages young people to make friends who are hardworking and positive, as the people around us subtly influence our choices.

He also believes there is no such thing as a perfect career. Whether one chooses to be a chef or follows another path, the most important thing is to believe in oneself and strive hard.

Even though technology has transformed the way business operates today, Chef Zhu still believes that hard work is the decisive factor. In his view, the more effort one puts in, the greater the reward.A Story of Candor Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the interview with Chef Zhu was not the restaurant he built from scratch or his career as a chef, but his complete sincerity and his longing for family. He did not shy away from the past, openly sharing the regrets, gains, and losses he had experienced along the way. His story reminds us all that the definition of success varies from person to person. To the outside world, he is an accomplished, veteran restaurateur; in his own heart, however, he is simply an ordinary person still striving to find the right balance between work, family, and happiness.

“ I feel that confidence is really important. If you don't have confidence, you won't do well. If you lack faith in yourself, you won’t be able to succeed. That's what I believe." 

Author：Yibin Cai