In China, there is a large lake that is notorious for its beauty when the sun sets behind it. As the sun falls below the horizon, the water turns a breathtaking golden color.
When Shui Guan Jin first stepped foot in Minnesota's lake country, his mind drifted back to his homeland with its impressive golden lake. Later, when Jin decided to move from his home in Florida and open a business in Perham, his former experience with the lakes area was called to mind.
His new restaurant, located near Highway 10 in Perham, has been given the name "Jin Hu"--Chinese for "Golden Lake." Owner Shui Guan Jin also gathers personal significance from the name because his last name is also "golden."
When Jin decided to open the restaurant in Perham, he brought with him three co-workers from the Chinese restaurant he had owned in Florida. Manager Grant Lee and chef Ken Chu are bringing their expertise to the Perham area. Lee is from Taiwan and Chu is from Hong Kong.
Jin and Chu are co-chefs at the restaurant, believing that "two make a stronger team." Daily specials are one of the features they have found to be very successful. Jin has over 15 years of experience with cooking Chinese food at restaurants.
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Coming to Perham took a step of faith for the trio, who had never actually visited the city before. "Before he [Jin] signed the contract, he had never seen this property before," said Lee.
They were initially a little daunted by the smaller population in Perham, but Lee says that those fears have since been absolved. With 30 years of experience in the Chinese restaurant business, Grant knows what it takes to keep a business open and successful.
One thing he's quick to mention about their experience in Perham is how pleasant the people are here. "The people were very, very patient here," Lee said of the first few weeks the restaurant opened, "and we really appreciate that about the local people." After traveling throughout the United States, Lee confidently believes that the citizens of Perham are the most patient group he's encountered yet.
When the restaurant first opened on March 6, the staff found themselves a little overwhelmed with the crowd that turned out to sample the Chinese cuisine. Lee said that there was occasionally a 45-minute wait to eat at the restaurant, and patrons were willing to wait it out.
Helping to bring the restaurant to Perham were the city's EDA director Chuck Johnson; Julia Bachelder, who helped make contact through friends in the Chinese food business; and Cal Dockter, a real estate agent with Re-Max, who arranged the sale. The building had formerly been a Hardee's restaurant, and was vacant for more than three years when Jin purchased the property.
"It's been a pleasure to help somebody get into an ownership situation...In China, most people really don't own anything," noted Dockter. So far, the restaurant is taking off well, with 10 employees.
"We wish to be here for a long time," said Lee. "We do our best to keep the people coming back."
Jin Hu is open seven days a week: Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.; and Sun. noon - 9 p.m.
