In preparation for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, the city has intensified inspections on Chinatown restaurants, leading to temporary closures and concerns among the local community. The San Francisco Department of Public Health has been conducting routine inspections in recent weeks, enforcing health code regulations and causing panic in the neighborhood.

Sam Wo, a century-old restaurant, was among those briefly shut down due to health code violations. The owner, Steven Lee, acknowledged the protocol but expressed his belief that simply shutting down businesses and posting notices won't effectively address the issues. Lee even posted a "PASS" notice on Google reviews to mitigate any potential damage to Sam Wo's reputation.

Speculation has arisen that the increased enforcement is connected to the upcoming APEC summit, as the city aims to bolster its reputation for the international event. Lee urged the city to communicate any violations to restaurateurs first and to consider the challenges faced by small businesses in the community. He questioned the city's responsibility to maintain cleanliness on the streets.

Far East Cafe, another century-old restaurant located just a block away from Sam Wo, also underwent inspection. Owner Kathy Lee noted that her restaurant passed the inspection and understood the city's desire for stricter regulations, particularly after the reopening period, to prevent businesses from becoming complacent.

This clash between city inspectors and Chinatown restaurants is not new. The age of many Chinatown buildings makes renovations cost-prohibitive, which can lead to conditions like rodent and cockroach infestations causing health violations. Critics argue that the public health department may not fully understand Asian and Chinese cuisines and cooking cultures.

Little Paris, a Vietnamese and Chinese restaurant on Stockton Street, recently faced citations for food temperature issues. Owner Xiaolan Mei revealed that she had to discard food following inspector determinations that it was not hot or cold enough. Mei emphasized the struggles faced by many Chinatown establishments and expressed concerns that the rigorous operations may push more businesses to close.

The San Francisco Department of Public Health confirmed multiple inspections and temporary permit suspensions in Chinatown but denied any connection between the crackdown and the APEC summit. While the department acknowledged potential shifts in inspection schedules, it maintained that facilities were not receiving additional or different inspections compared to previous years.

As San Francisco strives to present its best image to the world, the anxiety surrounding APEC continues to grow for Steven Lee. He is part of an event planning committee entrusted with showcasing the highlights of Chinatown during the weeklong summit. Lee expressed a desire to dispel negative perceptions and demonstrate that Chinatown is not the "shithole" that some claim it to be.

In the midst of these developments, Chinatown's restaurants are navigating the challenges of increased scrutiny while endeavoring to maintain their reputation during the highly anticipated APEC summit.