As a child of the 80s (well, okay, also the 70s), I still remember the heyday of Chinese cuisine in Israel.
Long before we knew how to roll complex names in Thai or Japanese, we knew how to greedily devour sweet and sour chicken, chicken in lemon and also one in pineapple.
It was the farthest in the Far East that Israeli cuisine could reach, and it was a celebration!
As such, the Chinese restaurants in Tel Aviv were a stronghold for my family's family birthday parties.
"Ying and Yang", "Peking" and the Red Chinese were our favorites.
The more we grew up and matured, the more Chinese women disappeared from the urban landscape and one solid, strong and leading one remained - the "Peking" restaurant.
Nostalgia celebration.
"Pekin" restaurant, photo: Afik Gabai
It was opened in the Tzahala neighborhood in 1981 by Benny Kalter, and operated with genius and pride for many years.
It received a lot of refinement at a time when Chinese cuisine was coveted in our districts, and received a renewed refinement with the entry into the picture of the young and charismatic restaurateur Li Pen, about six years ago, from the members of the OTH group (Meli Melo, Chena, Kilometerz, Ruhan and more).
The veteran Chinese company managed to engrave 43 years of activity in a challenging and complex industry, and here it is closing at the end of August.
I set out to say goodbye to the Chinese dishes whose taste, the taste of my childhood, is accompanied by two of my children (and one who is almost mine).
I decided that it is appropriate that I part with the "Pekin" restaurant by closing my own circle and bring the younger generation together with my nostalgia.
The tasting test was a great success.
Egg roll at the "Pekin" restaurant, photo: Afik Gabai
The taste test was extremely successful, how could it not be?
The beef and eggplant dish was crowned as the main star.
The thin slices of beef blend harmoniously with the tender pieces of eggplant, and everything is wrapped in a sweet sauce with a good spicy tingle.
Just as I remembered and loved.
The children of 2022 also greatly enjoyed this generous and iconic dish.
Eggroll Eighties as usual also received compliments from the young audience, who loved the crispiness and the shiny red sauce, which has not changed and remains as addictive as it was.
If it had been cool outside, I would have surely devoured a velvety corn soup or a clear wonton soup.
And if I were a young woman who didn't fight for her mature figure, then there wouldn't be one ball of fried chicken in sweet and sour sauce left.
Already starting to miss you.
Beef dish with eggplants in "Pekin", photo: Afik Gabai
During the meal I had the opportunity to meet old and sad customers who came to say goodbye to the place.
It was evident that the announcement of the closure caught the regular audience completely by surprise.
Therefore, I will mention that "Peking" is open until the end of August, and this is a great opportunity to indulge in the flavors and dishes.
And what is expected of us instead?
Well, Lee Pan remains secretive, but replies with a dimpled smile: "This is a sad end, but also a new beginning and delving into my other businesses. After closing, renovations will begin in the space and a new restaurant will probably open there."
The kids also enjoyed it.
A chicken dish with lemon in "Peking", photo: Afik Gabai
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