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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Jenny's Kuali - Allentown's Loss is Bethlehem's Gain

Jenny Lim and her sister, Nancy Chen
After 35 years, Allentown's House of Chen closed its doors in late July. After all, there's money to be made along Hamilton Street with office buildings, hotels and hockey arenas. So NIZ developer J.B. Reilly bought the place. Good for him.

Jenny (Chen) Lim and Roy, her husband, decided to do what they do best - keep on cooking. Except they're doing it in Christmas City. Instead of traditional Chinese fare, they're offering up more healthy Malaysian dishes at Jenny's Kuali, located at 102 E. 4th Street in Bethlehem.

I dropped in to see Jenny on Friday, and she loves her new location.

I tried the Singapore rice noodles, which are both lighter and have more zing than the usual lo mein.

Prices are great. It's only $6 for the lunch special, pretty cool for something you'll find nowhere else in the Lehigh Valley. It's open from 11 AM to 9 PM daily.

The real test will come when I take my grandson, who is a very finicky eater. But he loved the House of Chen.
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14 comments:

  1. monkey mommaSeptember 25, 2012 at 7:30 AM

    So what we're seeing is the EXACT OPPOSITE of what the hockey planners promised. The arena project is driving successful, long standing PRIVATE business out of Allentown and into neighboring communities.

    Way to go, Pawlowski and Friends!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 25, 2012 at 7:56 AM

    bethlum officals think palolousy is the best salesman they have

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 25, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    I remember a few years ago there was some kind of artsy movement like Chen Arts trying to save those businesses. I guess Peter Lewness and that group didn't do too well. I wonder where they stand now that the mom and pop businesses are moving out of town and into other communities?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bernie O'HareSeptember 25, 2012 at 8:59 AM

    Chen Arts never tried to save those businesses. They just met at House of Chen, where they all talked about how to promote the arts in Allentown. ... and themselves. Some of its members would be perfectly happy to see those businesses shoved aside ... if an art exhibition can be arranged.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousSeptember 25, 2012 at 1:03 PM

    This is IRONY at its' best... SMH


    Alfonso Todd

    www.alfonsotodd.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. drugs and sexSeptember 25, 2012 at 7:13 PM

    heard this place is just a front as are other "south side joints"

    decent citizens might want to stay away

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousSeptember 25, 2012 at 8:03 PM

    Bernie,

    Just to remind everyone, the school district is also a big loser, roughly $300,000.00 annually until this thing gets up and is running a profit.

    Scott Armstrong

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bernie O'HareSeptember 25, 2012 at 8:19 PM

    7:13, Take your drug cocktail and let the grown-ups talk.

    ReplyDelete
  9. petelewnesSeptember 25, 2012 at 11:50 PM

    I love jenny and loved the house of chen - tried to get her to stay in allentown (even on 7th street) but ultimately they found the south side a better fit. Now it's about supporting a friend that serves great Malaysian food. Chen Arts also was about giving business to a local downtown Allentown mom and pop shop and promoting downtown Allentown locations for art. I never heard anyone from Chen Arts discuss moving a business aside for an arts exhibition at least when I was associated with the group.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Bernie O'HareSeptember 26, 2012 at 2:35 AM

    Peter,

    I attended the first two of their meetings, which were at the House of Chen. I don't think my comment is entirely accurate, in hindsight. They certainly never advocated any displacement. But they were primarily interested in promoting themselves and really had no interest in the plight of the downtown merchant. That's my take.

    ReplyDelete
  11. blakeSeptember 26, 2012 at 4:00 PM

    It's great to see you promoting such wonderful people.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2012 at 4:55 PM

    Wouldn't it be a better frigin world if Jennings retired,
    ( oh, what a fabulous party would be held for this wonderful,indeed saintly man) and Peter tool over CACLV?

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2012 at 4:57 PM

    Took over CAVLV. Took over .....
    Not tool....

    Sorry.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2012 at 4:57 PM

    Took over CAVLV. Took over .....
    Not tool....

    Sorry.

    ReplyDelete

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