because I never cooked before. I was the baby of the
family and he did everything for me. He was like a
second father,” said Sandy. “About three years after
we left, he got sick and died. But his wife and three
children still live there.”
Ting Ting now lives in Seattle, Washington,
with her husband Anthony, and works in the
finance department at Wells Fargo. From time to
time, Ting Ting will have a customer who speaks
only Mandarin. If she can’t explain something in
Mandarin to her customer, she will call her mom.
Sandy smiled. “Ting Ting says, ‘Mom, can you
explain to this person what I’m trying to say?’”
Matthew graduated from VCHS in 2009, and
after four years at UGA was accepted into the Grad
school at VCOM-Carolinas - Edward Via College
of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, South
Carolina. He is now in his second year of residency at
Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia.
When Pei Pei finished college in 2003, she
came home with some new ideas for her
family's business. Even though the Peking
House was doing well, maintaining and managing
a restaurant with the buffet and the menu was no
small task. According to Pei Pei, American culture
as a whole was making a shift toward healthier
eating. “She said, ‘Mom, you should open a Japanese
restaurant,’” said Sandy.
Even though Japanese food was still Asian
cuisine, there were distinct differences between the
two. “Japanese food is cooked a lot on the grill. It’s
a lot of fish and seafood,” she explained. “And it’s
healthier,” she added with a smile. In 2005, Sandy
and Sze decided to test their daughter’s suggestion
with a Japanese restaurant in Swainsboro. They
named the restaurant Koiya Japanese Express. “Koi
is a fish,” said Sandy. The added “ya” means “and” in
Japanese.
In 2006, Sandy and Sze opened a second Koiya
Japanese Express in Vidalia. In 2007, they sold the
Peking House. The following year, they sold the
Koiya Japanese Express in Swainsboro to focus all
their attention on the restaurant in their hometown.
In its thirteenth year, Koiya continues to be a
favorite. The menu offers everything from Hibachi
Shrimp and Sweet and Sour Chicken to spring rolls
and miso soup. Pei Pei was right. Koiya Japanese
Express is not only a healthy alternative to fast food
fare, it’s also great food.
Every part of Sandy and Sze’s journey is now a
part of the history of our community. Our stories
are entwined in memories through the service they
continue to provide. And as their three children
continue the story of their own lives, their excellence
in what they do and the strong family relationships
are a testament to their parents and the community
they all call home.
Call for
Reservations:
(912) 537-2728
155 Mose Coleman Drive, Vidalia, Georgia
800-634-3444 • WYNDHAMHOTELS.COM/AMERICINN
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912.537.3623
912.537.3623
1303B E 1st St, Vidalia
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