New Cathay
新東方
New Cathay was cherished for its long history of serving
the community with warmth and hospitality.
Of all the four corner lots at SE Division and SE 82nd, the northeast corner has seen the most cycles of Chinese restaurants. It began in 1949 when Bob Louie purchased a small commercial building and opened New Cathay, an American Chinese dining spot that thrived for 38 years.
After Bob retired in 1987, the location changed hands, hosting two iterations of Hong 88 from 2001 to 2005. Then, in 2005, the iconic Hung Far Low relocated from Portland’s Old Town/Chinatown to this corner, serving the community until 2012. Today, this corner stands as a testament to the area’s rich culinary history.
Bob Louie’s story is one of tenacious entrepreneurship and inspiring immigrant spirit. He embodied the American dream by building a legacy of success and community impact. When Bob passed away at the age of 95, he left behind a rich history of a long, active life deeply intertwined with the Chinese community he so passionately supported.
Although New Cathay is long gone, many patrons and families still recall the endearing memories of the popular Chinese American restaurant that operated from 1949 to 1987. Bob and his wife Lani Louie devoted themselves to making New Cathay a success while also ensuring their children had access to quality education and opportunities beyond the demanding world of family restaurants. Family members such as Janet Lee and Robert Louie Jr. fondly reminisce about their childhood experiences at their favorite restaurant—a place that helped shape both their lives and the community it served.
About Bob and Lani
Bob arrived in America as a teenager with hopes of a better life and a commitment to supporting his family. He attended Atkinson School in Portland and began his restaurant career as a waiter at Huber’s. During World War II, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in the North Pacific. After the war, he resumed his career in the restaurant industry, partnering in ventures such as Canton Grill, New Cathay, Lani Louies, Bill’s Gold Coin, Fong Chong, and House of Louie. A dedicated and active member of the Portland Chinese community, Bob served as president of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, sat on the Board of the Chinese Language School, and was president of the Soo Yuen Association (Louie Family Association).
Lani was one of seven children born to immigrant parents in Portland and grew up in NW Portland during the Depression alongside her brothers and sisters. She attended Couch School and Lincoln High School before marrying Robert Louie in 1954. In 1956, she became Oregon’s first woman stockbroker, enjoying a remarkable 43-year career, while also working evenings at the family business—Lani Louie’s restaurant in Milwaukie—which opened in 1962 and prospered for over 30 years.
Video summary:
Janet Lee, the niece of Bob Louie, shares a cherished childhood memory of visiting the restaurant every Sunday night with her family. She fondly recalls enjoying American food together as a family tradition at her uncle’s and aunt Lani’s restaurant, highlighting the special role New Cathay played in their lives.
Video summary:
Robert Louie Jr., the son of Bob Louie, shares early childhood memories of the restaurant, which sparked his father’s culinary ventures that later included Lani Louies Restaurant, Bill’s Golden Coin, and Fong Chong.
New Cathay, lives on in the cherished memories of patrons and families. Bob and his wife Lani Louie devoted themselves not only to its success but also to ensuring their children had access to quality education and opportunities beyond the demanding world of family restaurants. Family members like Janet Lee and Robert Louie Jr. fondly reminisce about their childhood experiences at their favorite restaurant—a place that profoundly shaped both their lives and the community it served.
American-Chinese restaurants typically tailored their menus to appeal to local tastes with a hint of Chinese flavor, offering Chinese families a familiar setting to enjoy “American food.” Meanwhile, after closing, staff prepared home-cooked dishes not found on the official menus, meals many assumed wouldn’t interest white diners. Creations like Chop Suey, neither entirely Chinese nor American, emerged as symbols of the cultural fusion and adaptation that defined these unique dining experiences.
Video summary:
Janet Lee recalls how Sunday dinners at New Cathay became a cherished tradition, where American treats like fried chicken were enjoyed after a week of Chinese meals, while Robert Louie Jr. shares his early memories of eating soup at the counter, though he was too young to recall family meals.
Family-oriented restaurants like New Cathay thrived on an “all hands on deck” model. Parents worked hard to create a welcoming family dining experience while ensuring their children had opportunities to pursue careers beyond the demanding restaurant industry. As a result, passing the business on to the next generation was not the primary goal. According to Robert Louie Jr., his parents, Bob and Lani, never pressured him into any specific career. Instead of joining the family restaurant business, Robert enjoyed a 42-year career as a pharmacist.
Video summary:
Janet Lee fondly recalls childhood memories at New Cathay, from choosing candy at the treat bar after dinner to celebrating holidays and potlucks that brought families together, while Robert Louie Jr. reflects on the challenges of visiting as a child, the long hours his parents dedicated to the restaurant, and the hard work that kept the family close-knit.
Portland has grown increasingly diverse, particularly in the culinary world where food enthusiasts now embrace a wide range of culturally rich and sophisticated flavors. Traditional Chop Suey houses have gradually given way to distinct regional styles of Chinese cuisine. As customers began seeking broader culinary choices, longstanding establishments like New Cathay faced more competition even within their own neighborhoods.
Video summary:
Janet Lee and Robert Louie Jr. reflect on the transformation of 82nd Avenue and the Jade District—from a vibrant hub of Chinese restaurants that later became dominated by used car lots and then residential spaces, to a diverse and flourishing neighborhood where foundational spots like New Cathay paved the way for a broader, more authentic culinary scene that now caters to refined and varied tastes.
A Community-minded entrepreneur
Bob and Lani Louie lived the American-Chinese immigrant dream as successful, hard-working restaurateurs of several iconic restaurants in the Portland area. Bob was a devoted volunteer who believed in investing in youth education, and together with his wife, they generously served the Chinese community.
New Cathay stands as a testament to the tenacity of early immigrant ambition, an investment in multiple restaurants aimed at giving back and building a better future for generations to come.
Robert Louie Obituary (2005) - Portland, OR - The Oregonian
Lani Lee Louie became the first woman stock broker in Oregon in 1956 - Obituaries today - Oregonlive.com
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