Noodle Parlor Nostalgia: Remembering Ogden’s historic Chinese Restaurants
Photos courtesy of Special Collections and University Archives
I was a teenager in Ogden in the 1960s. “Chinese” restaurants were a favorite place to go eat for entertainment. Every restaurant at the time specialized in giant — I mean GIANT — battered shrimp served with a chili sauce and a schmear of wasabi. Grant and Kiesel, between 24th and 25th, and the south end of Washington Boulevard starting around 30th offered a variety of noodle parlors and Chinese restaurants. This is an alphabetized list my friends and I recalled. Let us know if you remember any we missed.
Bamboo Noodle Parlor was located at 2426 Grant Ave. next door to the original Utah Noodle Parlor location.
China Nite (1963-2005) Known for the arrow in the belly of the giant Hoi Toi statue, this iconic Ogden eatery was located at 2783 Washington Blvd. The family also owned China Temple.
China Temple, previously known as China Pagoda Cafe, was at 112 25th St., owned by the Hong family who also owned China Nite.
Eastern Winds located at 3740 Washington Blvd. this one is still operating.
Golden Dynasty opened in 1966 in the former home of Dee’s Family Restaurant at 3433 Washington Blvd., it closed in 2018.
Jade Terrace on 1805 W Riverdale Road in Roy opened in the late 60s (date unknown); closed down by a gambling ring scandal in 1991.
Kay’s Noodle Parlor opened in 1914 by Kenjiro and Tono Mukai. It was located at 2437 Kiesel Ave.
Maple Gardens operated for 30 years at 3700 Riverdale Rd., and now operates as Yu’s Maple Gardens.
Yu’s Maple Gardens opened as a cafe on Riverdale Rd. in the 1980s and now resides inside Ogden’s Union Station.
Lee’s Mongolian BBQ has been operating since 1978 at 2866 Washington Blvd.
Star Noodle opened in 1948 by the Ryujin family at 225 25th St. (inside the 1912 Rex Theater movie palace), home of the now-restored Neon Dragon. It closed with the aging of its owners in 2007.
Utah Noodle Parlor opened on Grant Ave. around the late 1940s, moved to 3018 Washington Blvd., and closed Sept. 29, 2012 after 60 years with the aging and death of its owners. Also known as Uncle Leo’s.
Windy’s Sukiyaki on Riverdale Rd. had the best calamari in town. After 50 years, the iconic Japanese restaurant closed in 2025. It is now a sports bar.