FOUNDER - JOHNNY HSU

In 1975, four years before I immigrated to the United States, I attended one of the top culinary schools in Hong Kong; soon after, I took an apprenticeship with some of the best chefs in the city. I came to Denver in 1979 and took a job as a line cook in the coffee shop of the Holiday Inn. Six months later, I joined my brother at the Little Shanghai in Evergreen, Colorado.

In 1980, partnered with my sisters to take over a failing restaurant in Littleton and established the Jade Garden Chinese on Arapahoe Road.  It took little time for the public to learn to enjoy the Chinese food that I introduced to them from Hong Kong.

In 1985, I founded the Imperial Chinese Seafood Restaurant, creating a menu with dishes that Denverites had never seen before; e.g. steamed whole fish with sauce with ginger sauce, sesame chicken, Hunan beef and stir-fried Dungeness crab with ginger and scallion, etc. It was a hit! The Imperial was voted the "Best of Denver" for 13 years.

In the process, we made a great impact in the Chinese restaurant industry in Denver, essentially setting the standard to follow. In fact, our signature dish, sesame chicken, is the single most popular dish in across Chinese Restaurants in Denver.

I understand changing is inevitable. Besides creating new dishes all the time, we always find ways to improve what we have. I can still proudly claim that my sesame chicken is still among the best. We will always use the highest quality meat and vegetables and we continually strive to way prepare the healthiest food.

I believe dining is a total experience. The food, of course, has to be delicious, the service has to be impeccable and the atmosphere has to be warm and cozy. We at the Imperial, strive to please every customer. In addition to serving the best Chinese food, our waiters and waitress can serve you with professionalism and a great knowledge of food. Come in and enjoy the best!"