Jason, Thank you for those photos. I grew up in that area in the 70s and remember King Yum. I miss New York-style Chinese-American food. Your photos brought back so many memories and I thank you for that. Having been born in Manhattan, raised in Queens and of Asian descent, you could have gotten authentic Asian cooking from King Yum even. You just didn't know what to order or ask for. Downtown Flushing is flooded with VERY authentic Asian cuisine and has been for quite sometime now. One good take out kitchen opened up in the early 80s on the Turnpike. It's still there too on the south side of the Turnpike between 186th and 185th Streets. It's called Chu Jaing Chinese Kitchen (185-24 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366, 718-454-7333). Chu Jaing made better authentic Asian food versus King Yum. King Yum was always so busy churning out the Chinese-American Cooley slop that when asked to make some authentic food by request, their focus was lost. Chu Jaing wasn't like that. There was even a better King Yum-type restaurant on the north side of the Turnpike between 167th and 168th Streets. It was called Seven Seas. They made a steak dish there called Mongolian Steak Flambie. It was about as authentic Asian as John Gotti. However, the marinade was an excellent fusion of polynesian and pac rim flavors. The cut of beef was usually London Broil and they would set it aflame before serving it at your table. Well done of this dish was tender as rare. It's also interesting to note that New York initated the "No MSG" trend in the early 80s. Authentic Asian cooking, such as found in a household Asian kitchen, does not even use MSG. Oh well.....thank you once again for the pictures. Kaspar
