Family Carries on Legacy of Fort Lauderdale Staple Wan's

Less than five months after a beloved Fort Lauderdale Chinese restaurant closed its doors after 28 years, the founder's great-grandson has revived it for a whole new generation.

After nearly three decades in Victoria Park, Christina Wan's unexpectedly bid farewell to longtime customers in November 2024. However, thanks to fourth-generation restaurateur Alex Kuk, the beloved Chinese restaurant is returning triumphantly under its original name — Wan's. But Kuk isn't just any South Florida restaurateur. His great-grandfather founded the original Wan's Mandarin House over 55 years ago, a beacon of the family's culinary heritage, and he is the nephew of the founder of Christina Wan's. Now, he is determined the restaurant, which he calls home, lives on. 

Wan's opens on Wednesday, March 19, in the same location it has called home for nearly 30 years. Kuk, who is the cofounder of the popular Asian spot Temple Street Eatery in Fort Lauderdale alongside chef Diego Ng, is spearheading Wan's revival with a renewed focus on tradition and quality. "It's a place where my grandfather's customers can still come for a great sit-down, homemade meal, but at the same time, our generation can enjoy a drink at the bar," Kuk says. "Drinks will be flowing, music will be popping, but it's still a family-run restaurant."

A New Era With a Focus on Tradition and Quality, But With a Modern Feel

The reopening marks not just a comeback for the restaurant but a continuation of a legacy that dates back to the 1960s, when the Wan family first introduced their Mandarin, Szechuan, and Cantonese specialties to South Florida diners. For Kuk, reopening Wan's wasn't just a business decision — but a deeply personal one.

"My great-grandfather came to the United States without speaking English and opened his first restaurant on Calle Ocho. My grandparents took over, and then my aunt. When she retired, I realized I couldn't let this family legacy disappear. It would be a part of me dying. So, while it wasn't part of the plan, it's something I just had to do."

Wan's will still serve the classic dishes longtime customers have cherished, especially its standout Peking duck and fall-off-the-bone ribs. "Rain or shine, here we come," Kuk says. "Friends and family have already told us the ribs taste better than ever, and the Peking duck is amazing."

That extra boost in flavor? Kuk credits it to a major equipment upgrade. "Chef and I searched all over Florida for a proper Chinese duck smoker. We finally found one in Orlando, rented a U-Haul, and hauled it back ourselves. The difference is incredible."

A Refreshed Atmosphere With An Upgraded Sound System

Beyond the menu, Wan's has been refreshed with a lively atmosphere, an upgraded sound system, and a fresh coat of paint. "It's still a mom-and-pop restaurant at heart," Kuk explains. "But now, it's a place where my great-grandfather's customers can enjoy a sit-down meal just as much as younger generations can grab a drink at the bar or order takeout."

That history is reflected in the restaurant's walls, which feature family photos that tell the story of Wan's journey through the decades. The Wan family's history in the South Florida dining scene spans nearly 60 years. Originally opened along Southwest Eighth Street in Little Havana, Miami, as Wan's Mandarin House in the late 1960s, the restaurant built a loyal following, eventually expanding to North Miami Beach, Hollywood, and Fort Lauderdale. The Fort Lauderdale location, which opened at 1201 N. Federal Hwy. in 1986 before moving to its current spot at 664 N. Federal Hwy. in 1996, became a local staple under Kuk's aunt, Christina Wan.

Over the years, the restaurant has won over generations of families with its expertly crafted Mandarin, Szechuan, and Cantonese specialties. From housemade dumplings and crispy egg rolls to Cantonese fried rice and sweet and sour chicken, the menu is a testament to classic Chinese flavors. In 2008, New Times Broward-Palm Beach recognized the restaurant as the Best Chinese Restaurant in Broward.

Honoring the Past and Embracing the Future

With the reopening, Kuk aims to balance preserving the past and embracing the future. His goal is to keep the menu as traditional as possible, as this is what diners have loved for decades. However, in doing so, he is also making the space more modern with small upgrades.

Nevertheless, at its core, Wan's remains a place for everyone. "Whether you want a home-cooked meal like my grandmother used to make, a great date spot, or just a casual place for takeout, Wan's is for everyone."

Just in time for spring, longtime patrons and newcomers alike can once again enjoy the comforting, authentic Chinese cuisine that made Wan's a household name in South Florida.

Wan's. 664 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; instagram.com/wans.fl.