Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Chau.
Hi Jason , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a Vietnam refugee, as a young child spent some time in a refugee camp here in America. My mother had a successful business in Vietnam, due to the war, that was all taken away, we escaped to the U.S. I am of Chinese and Vietnamese descent. I have been told that we have had a history of Chefs in our family, runs in the blood. I was raised in Los Angeles, California. I have had many different careers, computer tech, data analyst, plumbing and I went to Sushi school, I have a criminal law degree, became an RN, (side note ) that is how a met my wife Vee, who is a Social Worker. In California my sister owns two successful Chinese restaurants, I helped manage and cook for a couple of years. My wife’s sister moved to Knoxville, TN, she was hired at the University of Tennessee. She told us to give Knoxville a chance, she knows I am passionate about cooking. We found a place in South Knoxville, we started off as primarily a boba tea shop, with a couple of dumplings(chicken and pork) and a traditional Taiwanese Noodle soup (Grandpas noodle). We would have specials, and kept adding to the menu due to the popularity of our dishes. Our dumplings have 15 ingredients, and are hand wrapped on a daily basis. Everything we do we have love and passion for it. We love the support from our community, we have made many friends here, many customers we know by name. We have been open for almost 2 years, June 18, 2025 will be 2 years for us. We are a small, family business, we have our children working and nieces, with a limited staff. We recently participated in The Vegan Challenge, with a very successful dish,(Crispy spicy vegan chicken) we hope to keep for our customers. Also, we are testing some new menu items. We hope to be around for a long time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In California we are used to having supplies easily accessible, we have had to travel to New York, Virginia, Atlanta for supplies. This year I have had some products shipped over from Los Angeles. Finding certain ingredients for certain dishes can be difficult here in Tennessee. Pricing for products in Tennessee compared to California is very different, we have had to adjust without hurting our business.
Staffing has been difficult, we have struggled with finding good, trust worthy staff. We strive for quality, and we want to invest in our staff for the long haul, if they care about this place as much as we do. My wife and I work 14 to 16 hour days, even if we are closed one day, we still work. We want to be able to hand this place over to our daughter Lanaya one day.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My name is Jason Chau- business owner. We specialize in hand crafted dumplings, we wrap them on a daily basis, they are not small, we try to give customers their money’s worth. We have non spicy dumplings, and we have angry dumplings, very popular if you like spice. We have popular soup dishes, Grandpas noodles, Wonton soup. We have other menu items to to have a variety for all that come here. We are an Asian fusion very small restaurant. limited seating, we offer online ordering for takeout, just started with grubhub and soon door dash, Uber eats.
Our business is family owned, you will most likely see, my wife Vee, daughter Lanaya, and myself here. I will always try and get to know you not just as a customer, but to make friend’s. If there is ever a problem or situation I am here to listen. I care a lot about customer service. We care about this place, we sold our house in California and used that money into Angry dumplings. Anyone that has met me, knows I am very passionate. I will continue to strive to do my best.
How do you define success?
If you complete the task that you do. It is not the value of money, it is the value of acceptance and understanding gratitude. My success is feeding people, if they are happy and keep coming back, I know I have done my job in life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: dumplingsteaknoxville
