Jean Yu is the owner of Chopstick Express Szechuan restaurant located in downtown State College.
Jean Yu lives in State College with his husband for almost 21 years. She runs successfully a Chinese restaurant and she actively involves with local community activity. She is content with her life here in the States now.
Jean comes from Pixian in Sichuan Province, China. She came to United States in 1991 to reunite with her husband, who at the time, was pursuing his PHD degree in Arizona.
Chopstick Express is popular among Chinese international students because of its authentic Chinese cuisine. It opened in State College for nearly 21 years. Jean and her partner Mrs.Zhou were the two owners then. Mrs.Zhou left the business several months ago while Jean is still here, greeting customers with her genuine smile.
People love Chopstick Express not only because of its food but also because of Jean’s warm personalities. Jean bond with her customers in a lot of ways. She puts effort making conversations with everyone coming in. She cared for students’ well-beings and she offers concerns and parental advices. Many Chinese students sees her as a mother figure while they are here in the states.
It’s not easy to be this far away from one’s home country; but it’s nice that there is one place offering comfort both for your appetite and your heart.People at Chopstick Express.
Video: A stranger in a new land
“United States is new. United States is scary.” Jean described her first arrival at the states in 1991. As she is right now a popular hostess of a Chinese restaurant, it’s hard to imagine all the difficulties she went through at the beginning.
Video: People at Chopstick Express
Jean is one of the most compassionate people. Students talks to her about variety of things: academic life, leisure activities and also family.
“It’s not easy to be this sensitive like myself,” Jean weeped when telling a story about one of her closest customers.
Mr.Li lost his father before coming to the states, he worried about his mom every single day. Jean walks him through all these difficulties by listening to him and hugging him.
“He is such a strong individual,” Jean said with tears, “he said all he ever wanted is to make his mom the happiest.”
Mr.Li left Penn State after graduation, but he still talks to Jean about his life and Jean is so proud of him.
People at Chopstick Express talk about their feelings toward the restaurant and Jean.