A Legendary Chinese American Eatery Bids Sunset Strip Adieu
Prominent establishment known for popularizing the dish "Chinese chicken salad" announces its summer shutdown.
In late July, the beloved West Hollywood Chinese restaurant, Chin Chin, will shut its doors, marking the end of an era on the Sunset Strip. Established in 1983, Chin Chin has been a staple for many Angelenos, offering Chinese chicken salads, dumplings, and pan-fried noodles. After 42 years, the West Hollywood OG will be no more.
Joining a lineup of West Hollywood eateries biting the dust, Chin Chin follows the likes of Le Petit Four, another Sunset Plaza regular, and other prominent closures such as The Den on Sunset, Rock & Reilly’s, which bit the dust in 2025.
David Choi, a partner in the restaurant, shares that they were abruptly left in the lurch, with the building’s landlord shifting visions for the property. "At the last minute, I think the landlord had a change in vision for the place, and as much as we wanted to be part of that, Chin Chin just wasn't part of their vision,” explained Choi.
Sunset Plaza remained tight-lipped about the matter, stating, “Absolutely no comment.”
Notably, food enthusiasts now have the chance to pay homage to this cherished institution one last time before its permanent closure. The restaurant will officially close its Sunset Strip doors on July 27, but its remaining locations in Studio City, Brentwood, and Las Vegas will continue to offer their signature flavors.
The Rise of Chinese Chicken Salad
A significant piece of Chin Chin's fame can be attributed to the creation of the iconic Chinese chicken salad. Though many believe that Madame Sylvia Wu of Santa Monica's Madame Wu's Garden was the one to introduce this sweet-crunchy, crispy-wonton delight, Chin Chin helped catapult the dish's popularity across Los Angeles in the '80s and '90s.
Max Jacobson, former L.A. Times restaurant critic, praised the restaurant as the man responsible for making Chinese chicken salad a household name in Los Angeles County – elevating the art of Chinese grazing like never before[3].
Though Choi and his team have tapped fresh culinary talent to introduce new dishes and revamp a few older recipes, some timeless signature dishes remain unchanged[4]. The hospitality group plans to reassign some staff to its other locations, even as they brace for the July closure.
The Brentwood location has seen a dip in sales due to recent fires, while Studio City's Chin Chin has been feeling the effects of entertainment industry strikes and continued production downturn. The restaurant's reliance on delivery orders has also taken a toll, as third-party apps deduct commissions ranging from 20% to 30%. Ordering directly from the restaurant is said to help their survival.
Facing the challenges that come with operating a restaurant, Choi noted that investing capital in a new Chin Chin outpost might not be the wisest move unless they manage to find a favorable deal or an ideal location[4].
As loyal customers flood the restaurant to bid Chin Chin farewell and share their heartfelt stories, Choi expresses gratitude for their 42 years of unwavering support. "It's been a very pleasant surprise that we've had so many people that felt so strongly and had so many memories with us," he said[4].
Find them: Chin Chin, located at 8618 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Further reading:
- LA's dearly departed restaurants: A farewell tribute
- New CHAPTERS in the world of Chinese cuisine: A shifting landscape for iconic dishes
- Koreatown's Here's Looking at You announces upcoming closure
Chin Chin's closure comes unexpectedly, a victim of shifting visions and rising competition in the Sunset Strip dining scene. Its plans to find a new location are underway, but some staff are looking to the future with uncertainty.
- Despite Chin Chin's impending closure on the Sunset Strip, its locations in Studio City, Brentwood, and Las Vegas will continue to serve signature dishes.
- In the '80s and '90s, Chin Chin played a significant role in popularizing the Chinese chicken salad across Los Angeles, a dish that was initially introduced by Madame Sylvia Wu.
- As Chin Chin seeks a new location, the restaurant industry's challenges, including competition and third-party delivery app commissions, remain obstacles to consider.
