This story has been updated.

Greater Decatur, GA — Long-standing Chinese restaurant, Pyng Ho, on Clairmont Road closed its doors on Jan. 1 after about 45 years in business, according to a reader and a sign posted on the restaurant’s door signed from the Pyng Ho owner and staff.

“I know this may come as a surprise to many of you, but we are excited to move on to the next phase of our lives. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to share a small part of my culture with all of you over the years and I intend to continue that in my next venture,” the note says. “I want you to know that I consider many of you as good friends, and I thank everyone for making Pyng Ho part of the community for over 45 years.”

Owner Steve Jou told Decaturish in an email that there are no current plans to reopen or relocate the restaurant.

“For the past several years after my father’s passing, I have given a lot of thought to the future of Pyng Ho,” Jou said. “After much discussion with my family, we have decided to close Pyng Ho and I will focus on transitioning to being a private chef.”

Here is the full statement about the closing that was posted on the restaurant’s door:

Photo by Dan Whisenhunt.

Pyng Ho opened in Greater Decatur in 1979. The restaurant first opened in 1934 in South Korea.

“In 1979, several of the same members of the Jou family who had worked at Pyng Ho in South Korea opened up the second iteration of Pyng Ho here in Decatur, Georgia,” the restaurant’s website says.

At the time, the owner, Steve, reunited with his grandfather, Jou Ming Chang, who taught him how to cook.

“Jou Ming Chang continued to teach Steve all he knew about traditional Chinese dishes that he loved as a child, while simultaneously encouraging him to not be afraid to explore new cooking methods,” the website says.

After over 40 years in business in Decatur, the restaurant had remained under the ownership of the Jou family.

“Pyng Ho catered mostly Chinese, but also had many Korean and well known Americanized dishes as well,” Jou said.

To learn more about the restaurant’s history, click here.

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