Heichinrou

Heichinrou was founded in 1884 by the Zhang family on the current Yokohama site. There were cigarette shops on the ground floor, and the restaurant was on the second floor. Zhang Mao Yuan (張茂源) managed the restaurant. In 1923, the building collapsed because of the Great Kantō earthquake. It was reconstructed by Bao Zhao Chuang (鮑荘昭) and Bao Jin Ju (鮑金鉅), father and son. They operated the restaurant until World War II. Heichinrou was a well-known restaurant right after Hui Fang Lou(会芳楼) and Yuan Fang Lou (遠芳樓). (Today at Hui Fang Lou’s (会芳楼) original Yamashita Park location, stands a monument called Hui Fang Tin (會芳亭 ). Both Hui Fang Lou(会芳楼) and Yuan Fang Lou (遠芳樓) are no longer in business.) Due to the Yokohama air raid in World War II, the Heichinrou building was destroyed once again. Bao Jin Ju was left feeling hopeless and lost his desire to rebuild the restaurant. Tatsuo Hayashi (林達雄, naturalized name in 1972, died in November, 1976), a friend of Bao Jin Ju could not bear to lose such an old establishment, so he stepped up to purchase the brand, building, and land in 1960. Tatsuo Hayashi (Chinese name Pang Zhu Chen “龐柱琛”) was born in Guangdong Gaoming Prefecture, now Gaoming District (中国廣東省高明県, 現佛山市高明区). Landed in Yokohama at the age of 19, he worked many difficult years and experienced a lot of hardship. When he was 30, he lost hope and returned to China. However, unwilling to give up, he re-pursued his dreams in Japan and trained to become a cook. Although Heichinrou was known as the famous Chinese restaurant at the time, due to years of war and instability, by the time Tatsuo Hayashi purchased the restaurant, it was only 45 square meters in size, selling only BBQ pork and sausages. In 1967, Heichinrou became a limited company, San Ma Min (生碼麺) was invented and a la carte dishes were also offered. In 1975, the business was inherited by his son, Yasuhiro Hayashi. By that time the restaurant had reached 80 square meters. In the coming years, Yasuhiro Hayashi successfully expanded the Heichinrou brand with branches across cities of Japan.

Tatsuo Hayashi (name before naturalization, Pang Zhu Chen, 龐柱琛), not only rebuilt Heichinrou but also was the founder of Manchinrou (萬珍楼). Furthermore, Tatsuo Hayashi was a respected leader playing a major role in the Yokohama Chinatown. He successfully built the 15 meter high “Chinatown” tower gate (Pai Lau 牌楼) with support of the Yokohama government and the people of Chinatown. It was a significant step towards the development of Yokohama Chinatown. Since then, the reputation of Yokohama’s Chinatown has grown throughout Japan and the world. Tatsuo Hayashi died in November 1976. During his lifetime, he was one of the most devoted and critical members of Chinatown, widely respected as an honorable leader of the Chinese immigrants in Japan.

The first branch opened in Kichijoji (opened in February 1978, closed May 2008), then Ikebukuro (opened October 2002), Hibiya (opened March 1980), Urawa (opened July 1981, closed June 1999), Shibuya (opened October 1982, closed June 1999), Minami-Azabu (opened June 1988, closed May 1992), Kichijoji (opened November 1988).

Heichinrou Hong Kong subsidiary was established in 1988. The first Chinese restaurant to open from Japan. Business faced difficulties, as it was not accepted by local customers for the first two years. However, after more than 20 years, Heichinrou Hong Kong has obtained a reputation as a high-class Chinese restaurant for its history, quality, and service. There was also a branch in Tsim Sha Tsui, but it was closed at the end of 2009.

Hong Kong Branches:

• Causeway Bay Times Square Heichinrou
• Kwun Tong Heichinrou
• Admiralty Metropol Restaurant
• Diamond Hill Heichinrou
• Central Heichinrou

In the 1990s, Japan Heichinrou actively opened shops in many famous department stores and established Kanamori factory to produce dim sum, meat buns, and holiday gifts. Later product lines were expanded to include almond bean curd, Chinese sauces, and varieties of seasoning. This has increased Heinchinrou’s visibility and brand recognition in major supermarkets. In 2000, established a distribution center in Yokohama to accommodate rising food business. In 2000, launched an e-commerce website, providing even more convenience for consumers to purchase restaurant’s various dimsum and food items. In 2006, entered the health supplements sector by selling “Bird’s Nest” supplement, originated from the idea that “food and medicine should be from the same source, natural and healthy.” In 2007, organized a 120th anniversary event.

In April 2008, collaborated with Dydo Drinks to launch bottled, 500ml Jasmine Tea under the HeichinSaryo brand and thus entered the soft drink market. Later a series of drinks such as the Phu Erh Tea, the Spring Blend Tea, and the Summer Blend Tea were added to the list. In November 2009, during the first China Canton Cuisine Summit, Yasuhiro Hayashi was awarded the “Promotion and Development of Cantonese Cuisine Contributor” by the China National Tourism Agency and the Guangdong Government. Yasuhiro Hayashi was recognized for his long-term devotion and success in promoting Cantonese cuisine overseas.