The Cheungs arrived in Australia in 1988 and after running another business, took over the Kooringal Chinese Restaurant in 1995. 

“It was so different when we moved here, first couple of months I thought it was so quiet,” Mr Cheung said. 

“In Hong Kong you can get food 24/7, no problem, no drama, but here after 8pm most of the shops are closed.”

“Most immigrants are like us because when you do something for life, you work so hard with your love,” Mrs Cheung said. 

Engaging with the customers have been the favourite part of the job for Mrs Cheung. 

“I will miss them,” she said. 

“I’d like to say a big thank you to my customers, they have supported me for so many years and I was very lucky to have all the good customers.”

Mrs Cheung is also known for her knack for remembering customer’s orders, right down to the level of spice. 

“I have a good memory and all my customers are so nice, I was trying to do the best for the community,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter what age, or how much you want to spend here, I just want to see their happy face when they walk out the door.”

Mr Cheung said they had to adapt their recipes to suit the community and it involved a lot of discussions. 

“We created meals, then asked the customers what do they think, ‘is it too hot, or more sauce?’,” he said. 

“Every time we tried to improve it a bit. 

“In Hong Kong you take the meat and all the bones and the whole fish is teamed, but here people prefer no bones and more deep-fried things, but in our country it’s not that popular, they prefer steamed.” 

The couple said they will miss working terribly, but are confident in their employee Steven Zhang’s ability to take over the shop.

“We will probably check on him,” Mrs Cheung joked. 

“He has been working with us for more than 20 years and manages the kitchen,” Mr Cheung said. 

Mr Zhang said he was a little bit nervous about filling the Cheung’s shoes, but he was excited for the next chapter after working in the restaurant for so long. 

Greg Jerrick, a loyal customer, said he and his wife will miss the owners terribly. 

“It was a wonderful success story of immigrants to Australia who have adapted to a new country and bought so many people beautiful food and friendly service,” he said.

“They have given locals the opportunity to work in the hospitality industry here in Wagga both at the front of house and as chefs.”

The Cheungs will finish up at the restaurant this Saturday and emphasised they will miss all their customers.