Meet Frank Ma: Retired Restaurateur
Discover the life and legacy of Ma's chinese restaurant business in Atlanta
Southern Foodways Alliance
Southern Foodways Alliance
Frank Ma Oral History Highlights by Southern Foodways AllianceSouthern Foodways Alliance
The Southern Foodways Alliance oral history program documents life stories from the American South. Collecting these stories, we honor the people whose labor defines the region. Meet Frank Ma, who pioneered the Chinese restaurant business in Atlanta.
Frank Ma Chinese Restaurateur Retired by Southern Foodways AllianceSouthern Foodways Alliance
Originally enchanted with Georgia from an early read of Gone with the Wind, Frank Ma moved from his small village of Kailu in northeast China in 1972 to lay down roots in Atlanta.
Frank Ma Chinese Restaurateur Retired by Southern Foodways AllianceSouthern Foodways Alliance
"My name is Frank Ma. I came from Taipei, Taiwan, in 1972, and settled down in Atlanta, Georgia. The reason why I came here because 1970, 1971, I was on a business trip here. I fell in love, this is a relaxing place, so that’s the reason why I decided to immigrate here."
Frank Ma Chinese Restaurateur Retired by Southern Foodways AllianceSouthern Foodways Alliance
He quickly realized that his import/export business would not be the ticket to success in the United States. Instead, Frank decided to take the cooking skills that his mother had imparted and adapt them for an American palate (less spice, more sweet).
Frank Ma Chinese Restaurateur Retired by Southern Foodways AllianceSouthern Foodways Alliance
"Orange Peel Flavored Beef, I was the first one to put it on the market. That’s supposed to be very spicy and typical Sitchuan style, but we make it sweet taste because of the Americans…"
Frank Ma Chinese Restaurateur Retired by Southern Foodways AllianceSouthern Foodways Alliance
In 1975, he opened Atlanta’s first restaurant featuring the Peking-style cuisines of northern China. Frank named it Hunan Restaurant and found a home for it in the suburb of Sandy Springs.
Frank Ma Chinese Restaurateur Retired by Southern Foodways AllianceSouthern Foodways Alliance
Over the years, Frank has opened and closed a handful of Chinese restaurants in the Atlanta area.
Frank Ma Chinese Restaurateur Retired by Southern Foodways AllianceSouthern Foodways Alliance
Since leaving the kitchen for retirement, Frank has maintained an active role as a restaurant consultant, helping to usher in a younger generation of Chinese restaurateurs in Atlanta.
Frank Ma Chinese Restaurateur Retired by Southern Foodways AllianceSouthern Foodways Alliance
Frank Ma Chinese Restaurateur Retired by Southern Foodways AllianceSouthern Foodways Alliance
He has also embraced the food of his adopted homeland, making regular morning appearances at his neighborhood Waffle House.
