After 39 years, the lights dimmed at Happy House Chinese Takeaway on Saturday 31 January. Rye feels saddened by the loss of such a warm and welcoming take-away with amazing food.
The Happy House was never just a counter and a menu. It was a small, steadfast welcoming beacon on wet evenings when comfort food was craved for. Generations learned to love it – always the nod of recognition, the smile that said “Usual?”, the wonderful cuisine pressed into waiting hands. Time passed, fashions changed, but the Happy House stayed – patient, dependable, part of the town’s heartbeat.
Many people have been customers since the beginning and on the last weekend, 30 and 31 January, people travelled from Canterbury, Maidstone and further afield to have their last takeaway and to wish Mr and Mrs Lam all the very best on their retirement. The family said they were overwhelmed by the generosity they received.
Chung Man Lam and Kim Ying met in Maidstone and married in 1985. They moved to Rye and set up their business, called Wing Wah, at 17 Landgate.
Kim was expecting her eldest son at the time and it was often quite a challenge. At first Chung Man was front of house but he soon began to learn the art of Chinese cuisine and excelled alongside his wife. Before long it became a family affair with many family members being trained in different jobs and adding to the popularity of the takeaway. They opened a restaurant on the High Street in the 90s but decided that running the takeaway was more suited to their family life and closed it. Family is so important to them and they made the decision to close every Sunday.
Sundays were devoted to family, and although they were meant for rest, education always remained a priority. For many years, the family travelled to Greenwich Chinese School, ensuring that the children received a strong foundation in their cultural heritage. As a result, the children became fluent in Cantonese, despite English being their primary language.
Aware that growing up in England could distance their children from Chinese culture in a predominantly Western society, their parents made a conscious effort to keep those roots alive. The family regularly visited Hong Kong, where Chung Man and Kim Ying were born, allowing the children to develop a deep connection to their heritage. Through these frequent visits, the children were able to proudly become Hong Kong citizens.
As the restaurant closed the couple passed on their thanks to their customers. “Running this takeaway has been more than a job – it’s been a huge part of our family’s life, and we’ve loved every moment serving you over the decades. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support, loyalty and kindness over the years. You’ve made this journey so special for our family. With love and thanks.”
The social media pages are full of heart-warming messages to the Lams saying how sorry people are to see them closing the doors and how much they will be missed.
Caillie Henderson said working at the restaurant had been a big part of her life in Rye. “Happy House and the Lam family became part of my life 13 years ago and I’ve truly loved every moment. Getting to work every day with a family you view as your own will forever occupy a huge place in my heart. To all our customers: thank you for the laughs, the wisdom, advice and love shared throughout the years! Mr and Mrs Lam – all the best for your retirement. You truly deserve this time now. Thank you for being the best employer anyone could wish for!”
The team from W Tollett Building Plumbing and Electrical wished Mr and Mrs Lam a happy retirement. “We’ve seen many businesses come and go but no one has lasted as long and been as consistent as The Happy House. You brought oriental food into Rye all those years ago. It must have been a risk but one that was worth taking, looking back now.”
Izzy Lavaggi also had many happy memories. “It will always be the Wing Wah to me! I used to come there loads with my parents when I was seven or eight years old. I always looked forward to a takeaway from there every Friday night. I started going again a few years ago and although the name had changed, it still felt the same place as always. The team were always happy to see you and on that final night, it was emotional but they were in high spirits. I so had to go there for one last time.”
David Gentry looked back on family meals. “Nooo. This is terrible! I was hoping to come and get one last Chinese. I remember as a kid jumping in the car with my mum to get a Chinese. I remember when my partner and I decided to move in together we would often get a Chinese and chill out. We had evenings with family and friends tucking into a Happy House Chinese. You didn’t just deliver on the best Chinese, you delivered memories. Thank you. We will miss you.”
The Lams worked with local suppliers where possible, especially with J and F Fruiterers. Mark and Sarah from the company sent this message. “Happy House has been a customer of ours for nearly 40 years, I remember Mr Lam from when I was a young lad when my father was running the business. He always has a smile on his face and we would share humour when he was in the office. It’s with great sadness that we won’t see them in the future but wish Mr and Mrs Lam and all their family the very best in the new adventures and a deserved retirement.”
Now the woks are cold but the friendship and memories remain warm. What will linger is not the absence, but the fullness of what was given: shared suppers, celebrations improvised, solace on ordinary nights.
Rye has always been a place that remembers, and it will remember you, too – the kindness, the constancy, the way a simple takeaway became so important to so many people. Thank you, Happy House, for feeding everyone more than food.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Hue-Ying Webster , Caillie's archives , Hue-Ying Webster .