For 40 years, Lake Highlands families have been trekking to Preston Hollow to enjoy delicious Chinese food at Howard Wang’s. Soon, Howard’s son Jarren will bring his family’s recipes and expertise to a new restaurant in Lakeridge Village — Pan Asian Kitchen and Noodle.

Jarren began working in the family’s constellation of restaurants when he turned 16, doing stints as chef, waiter, host and busboy. He says the Wangs always wanted to open a location in Lake Highlands.

“It’s within Dallas, but it’s a quiet and tucked away neighborhood with trees and hills surrounding it. We’re drawn by the charming neighborhood and the mix of old and new, similar to our history and current venture.”

After he learned the ropes on his own home turf, Jarren branched out to renowned dining hot spots across the country.

“I spent several years in New York City, where I honed my culinary craft in iconic restaurants such as Momofuku, Locanda Verde and Flora Bar,” he told me. “After New York, I landed in Austin at Suerte and Kemuri Tatsu-ya where I further explored Mexican and Japanese flavors and techniques.”

Jarren says the vibe at Pan Asian Kitchen and Noodle will be warm and relaxing — just right for couples enjoying a date night or families on the go.

“We are a casual neighborhood kitchen where all are welcome. While Howard Wang’s is rooted in American Chinese, Pan’s menu draws inspiration from several Northeast Asian regions, celebrating and uniting the unique cooking techniques and flavors of those regions.”

The menu will include Chinese ramen, Japanese cuisine, Hong Kong style pan fried noodles and Korean fried chicken.

“The most unique offerings are probably the ‘Korean Meals,’ which originate from the Chinese diaspora within Korea,” explained Jarren. “For example, Tangsuyuk (Korean sweet and sour pork) to pair with Jiajang Myeon (black bean noodles in meat and vegetable sauce). This dish is a comfort staple in South Korea and is informed by Howard’s childhood as his mother immigrated to Korea when he was a boy.”

Jarren believes his customers, like four decades of customers at Howard Wang’s, will become attached to the people and flavors at Pan Asian.

“Being a family owned and operated small business, we are very involved in the day to day and take a community-centered approach — we love seeing families return generation after generation. We are rooted in the community and serving the neighborhood and have witnessed generations growing with us — whether that’s dine-in or take out.”

Jarren expects to open by mid-December. Pan Asian Kitchen and Noodle will be located at 9660 Audelia #117 in the former Hei Hei spot next to Premier Martial Arts.

Chicken Ma-La Stir Fry at Howard Wang’s

Pepper Steak at Howard Wang’s

Pad Thai at Howard Wang’s

Pan Asian Kitchen and Noodle expects to open by mid-December.