Beloved 30-Year-Old China Bee To Close In San Mateo

SAN MATEO, CA — The smell of a beloved Taiwanese and Chinese street snack has wafted through the streets of downtown San Mateo for nearly 30 years. This month, the aroma will disappear with the permanent closure of China Bee.

"After 30 years of eating and laughing with you, we have decided to close our doors on December 18th," family members wrote on the restaurant's Facebook. "It has been our greatest honor to not only build our family business but to share with our community the recipes we've carried across generations."

Patrons mourned the news that the long-standing restaurant, with its iconic blue awning, would be closing forever.

"I am really shocked and sad. You are my favorite restaurant in the Bay Area. We would drive up from San Jose just for the Taiwanese breakfast. In my opinion your savory rice balls are better than the ones I’ve had in Taiwan. I will miss the food and your hospitality!" Michelle Tai wrote on Facebook.

Owners David and Ellen Bee, with the help of their daughter Nancy, first opened the eatery at 31 S B St. in 1992 and ran the place for three decades together, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

"Thank you for the love and support over the past thirty years and for sharing in the joy that can only come from discovering stinky tofu," the owners wrote.