Influencer duo take over viral Edinburgh Chinese restaurant after social media appeal
Lisa He’s video, in which she asked for help for her mum’s struggling Chinese restaurant, went viral on social media in April
A family-run Chinese restaurant which went viral on social media has been given a helping hand after a one-night takeover by an influencer chef duo.
China Star, located on West Maitland Street in Edinburgh’s West End, went viral in April after Lisa He posted a video to social media asking for help to save her mum Sophie’s struggling business.
Sophie first opened the restaurant 30 years ago but found it on the brink of closure earlier this year.
In the video, posted in April, Lisa said: “My mum’s Chinese restaurant is dying and I have three months to save it.”
Asking for help, Lisa said that few customers were visiting due to an uninviting exterior and an “outdated” and huge menu, adding that her mum was working around-the-clock as she was unable to hire any new staff to help.
Lisa and her mum Sophie earned an outpouring of support in the aftermath of the video.
China Star has since gone viral on social media, with more than 16 million views on Lisa’s appeal video, and users lining up to document their trip to the restaurant since.
Following the viral appeal, noodle brand Lucky Boat and influencer chef mother-and-son duo Chin and Choo teamed up to host a one-night-only takeover of China Star on Monday evening (June 1).
Social media sensations themselves, Chin and Choo laid on a feast of their limited-edition Chow Mein dish as well as China Star favourites such as Salt & Chilli Chicken, Sweet & Sour Chicken, and Beef in Black Bean Sauce.
Customers queued out the door to grab a table for the big event, while takeaway orders were also being delivered to homes in the Capital.
The event raised more than £1,200 for the restaurant with every pound of profit made going back into the business and its fight to stay open.
Lisa said: “To see so many people come out to support my mum and our restaurant honestly meant the world to us.
“The response since the original video has been overwhelming, but seeing people physically turn up, queue outside and support us in real life was incredibly special. We’re so grateful to Lucky Boat, Chin and Choo, and everyone who came along.”
Chin added: “As soon as we heard China Star’s story, we knew we wanted to do something.
“The support on the night was unbelievable, the atmosphere, the energy, the community spirit, it was exactly what independent restaurants like this deserve.”
Lucky Boat said: “China Star represents everything we love about local Chinese restaurants, family, community and incredible food.
“We’re incredibly proud to have helped bring people together to support the business and celebrate what makes places like China Star so special.”