In 2022, siblings Nellie Wong, William Gee Wong, and Flo Oy Wong came together to share their memories of growing up and working at their parents’ family business, Ai Joong Wah, the Great China restaurant at 723 Webster Street from 1943 to 1961. The restaurant was thriving during the war years, with a menu of both Cantonese and Chinese American food that served local Chinatown residents as well as nearby shipyard workers. In addition to their memories of growing up at the Great China and Oakland Chinatown, Nellie, William, and Flo share about how those early childhood years impact them to this day as writers, poets, and artists.

“At times, I felt like I was really not an American because of racism and sexism. Chinatown was the only world I knew, even though we were a part of Oakland. My heart is there.” 

– Nellie Wong, Poet & Author

“The Great China became our family’s universe. We ate there. We celebrated holidays and family birthdays there. We met friends there. Our collective identities were at the restaurant.” 

– William Gee Wong, Print Journalist & Author
 

“I worked every day after school at the Great China. It was where my childhood blossomed. I see the restaurant as my womb.” 

– Flo Oy Wong, Artist & Poet