A family from China with a successful restaurant on Watt Avenue is opening a new Chinese eatery at Fifth Street and Broadway later this month.

Tan’s China Bistro will open once inspections are completed in the 2,400-square-foot space formerly occupied by Hong Kong Cafe at 501 Broadway, said Andy Tan, whose family owns the new business.

“The concept is really modern,” he said Wednesday. “All the food is prepared freshly – our goal is freshness”

Originally from Taishan, China, Tan, 25, came over with his parents, brother and sister about 14 years ago.

His parents owned a restaurant in Taishan and opened Wong’s Canton Chinese Restaurant at 5811 Watt Ave. about a decade ago, he said. Opening their second restaurant in the Broadway area made sense not just because of the number of cars on the thoroughfare, but also because it was the area the family moved to when it immigrated.

“We know what’s around us, there’s lots of freeway entrances and exits, and it’s a really good area for restaurants,” Tan said.

The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner, with prices ranging from $6 - $10 per plate.

“We know the economy is bad, so people need to be able to go out and get a quality meal for a reasonable price,” Tan said.

He added that some of the traditional Chinese dishes on the menu will be served in hot iron plates and pots, which will allow the food to sizzle.

Some of the items served in the ironware include a braised cod filet in an iron pot, sizzled fish filet and prawn, and beef short rib with spicy black pepper sauce.

An assortment of teriyaki and Sichuan dishes are also on the menu, with meat options including chicken, pork and beef. Tofu is also available.

Beer and wine will be served, with a rotating selection of local wines, Tan added.

In addition to Andy Tan, 55-year-old Goulin Tan, 48-year-old Yongci Wong, 29-year-old Hong Tan and 20-year-old Janet Tan will run the restaurant.

Greater Broadway Partnership Executive Director Teresa Rocha said she has been watching the site with interest.

“We were very sorry to lose the Hong Kong Cafe,” she said Wednesday. “It had been there many years and held a significance in our district – many people had gone there with their families over the years.”

She added that seeing a new business move in so quickly – Hong Kong Cafe closed last June – is a good sign, and its Chinese cuisine will provide a similar flavor for the area.

“That end of Broadway is not served by as many restaurants as the Tower (Theatre) district, so we are delighted that there will be another restaurant in there,” she said.

The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.