Shanghai Chinese Restaurant in Bristol, Virginia, will close after its final service Sunday, October 18, as Ying and Xian retire. The owners announced the farewell October 4 after more than 30 years of restaurant life shared with the Bristol community.
The family’s announcement thanks customers for making Shanghai, at 711 State Street, part of their lives.
From 25 seats to more than 100
Virginia Tourism’s historical profile identifies the owners as Xian Chen and his wife Ying and describes a restaurant that began with just 25 seats before expanding to accommodate more than 100. Lunch buffets and dinner buffets on selected days became part of that long run, alongside the wider menu.
The same profile records dishes including sweet-and-sour pork, Peking duck and fish prepared with ginger—a glimpse of the cooking behind those years on State Street.
Shanghai’s farewell announcement sets October 18 as the final day without specifying a special closing-week buffet schedule. The family invites customers to share favorite memories as Ying and Xian prepare to retire, giving longtime regulars another way to be part of the farewell.
