Sampan House:Open 11am-9am daily. 60-64 St Andrew St, Dunedin. Call (03) 471-7016 for bookings. |
WELCOME to the new Sampan House, now open on St Andrew St for all your favourite satay, hot pot, Sichuan style dishes, and more.
Having been involved in the food and restaurant industry in Dunedin for almost three decades, owners Vandee and Lydia Ung are excited to introduce customers to their new place.
"It's a good place in a good position,'' Lydia says. "We want more people to know what we are doing here. Some of our old customers find us and are very excited, so we're pleased.''
There has been a great deal of planning and work involved in getting Sampan House at 60-64 St Andrew St up and running. The first half of the new premises, which features special hot pot tables, opened in January, while the other half only opened a month ago.
After a year away from the industry, strengthening work on the St Andrew St building began in July last year. When they couldn't find a suitable tenant to take on the lease, Vandee and Lydia began work on the new Sampan House in July last year, with the addition of a new commercial kitchen, and construction of the two restaurant spaces.
"We have to have somewhere to carry it on,'' Lydia says. "Because we have been doing our family business for a long time, we don't have any other option but to do it.''
With the construction work being the better part of a year to completion, and several years of decision making and planning before that, she says it has been a difficult time.
But with the doors now open, Vandee and Lydia now look forward to introducing the public to what they've been working towards.
During a holiday in China, Lydia decided it would be great idea to include traditional Chinese hot pot at the new restaurant. With a pot that is kept simmering at the customer's table, custom made tables were specially imported from China.
"Hot pot is actually very enjoyable for people, especially in the winter,'' Lydia says. "The way the family members sit together, and are talking and cooking and enjoying it.''
The hot pot has already proven popular, as are the bold Sichuan style dishes. Satay is still a firm favourite, and there are plenty of other options on the menu to be explored.
With hot pot available on one side of Sampan House, the other side is more ideal for larger groups and family functions including children. The restaurant offers specials on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
As well as thanking all those involved in the construction of Sampan House, Vandee and Lydia would like to thank loyal customers both old and new. Having been unable to tell customers of their previous business what their plans were, Lydia is excited to show them the new restaurant.
"The customers are very important and they mean a lot to us,'' she says. "My husband and I are very thankful.''
