Panda Restaurant, located at 17189 New College Ave near Wildwood’s Community College (STLCC) and Community Gym (YMCA), serves authentic Chinese-American cuisine and is locally owned and operated by the Chen family, including brothers Edmond, 12, and Ethan, 11.
The establishment’s history began in the early 2000s, when owners Qun and Yijie Chen immigrated to the United States from China.
Upon their arrival, the couple married and spent several years immersing themselves in the domestic restaurant industry. During this period, they worked in various professional kitchens, perfecting their craft while simultaneously raising their two sons.
By 2011, after years of preparation and hard work, the family opened their own doors and created the now neighborhood staple, Panda Restaurant.
Since its founding over a decade ago, Panda Restaurant has remained locally owned and operated, serving as a testament to the Chens’ perseverance and their commitment to the Wildwood community. The Chens’ sons, Edmond and Ethan, now balance their academic responsibilities at Eureka High School (EHS) with their involvement in the family business.
Both brothers perform in the school’s Orchestra, and are key players in the Eureka Boys Volleyball program, Edmond at the Varsity level and Ethan on JV. However, once the school day ends, the brothers get started on their work at the restaurant.
Edmond views the hours spent behind the counter as a vital investment in his future. Ethan echoes this sentiment, noting how their upbringing has shaped their work ethic.
“We learned the value of money really early on because we were always seeing our parents manage expenses and rent and putting in the work,” Ethan said.
For the Chens, work is a visible, daily commitment that doesn’t come easy.
“I see them putting in the work; getting there early and staying late,” Edmond said. “It’s not like, ‘Oh, my parents leave the house and come back with money.’ We see them working hard every day.”
The brothers express a profound sense of gratitude for the sacrifices their parents made to be here. As Edmond prepares for his freshman year of college, he plans to major in engineering but remains undecided on which school to attend.
“Our parents came from China to give us better lives and I think that’s something that really motivates us to work harder,” Ethan said.
