Our History
A local family restaurant in Nowra since 1967
After a short hiatus, Warren and Susan Ng are proud to return to Nowra’s vibrant hospitality scene with a fresh new venture – Mr Ng’s Cantonese Restaurant, formerly known as Leong’s Chinese Restaurant. While the name has changed, our deep connection to and love for the Nowra community remain as strong as ever.
Ken (Kenny) Fung - The Pioneer
Leong’s was a long-standing establishment and the first Chinese restaurant in the Shoalhaven district.
It all began in 1957, when Leung Ming opened a Chinese restaurant on North Street, Nowra, in a building originally constructed in 1892 for local saddler James Armstrong.
A decade later, in 1967, Susan’s late father, Kenny, purchased Leong's from the original owners, the Ming brothers.
Born in China in 1931, Kenny left his homeland in search of his father, who had left home during the war years. The two were reunited in Melbourne in 1966. Not long after, Kenny travelled to New South Wales in pursuit of new opportunities.
That journey led him to Nowra, where he bought Leong’s, put down roots, and later brought his wife, Dawn, and their children, Susan and Steven, to join him in Australia.
Dawn arrived in a new country without knowing a word of English—but quickly made her mark. She became known in the family for crafting the most perfect spring rolls—each one identical in shape and folded with care.
Kenny in the 1960s
Kenny loved a good time with his customers
Kenny and Susan with staff at Leong's
Chinese New Year celebrations at Leong's
Passing of the baton
When Warren and Susan married in 1984, Warren made the move from Hong Kong to Australia. His first job in his new country was at Leong’s—washing dishes in the family restaurant.
Under the mentorship of his father-in-law, Kenny, Warren mastered the art of wok cooking. Later, he and Susan stepped away from the kitchen to run a corner shop in North Nowra while their children attended Illaroo Road Public School.
In 1986, Kenny retired and passed the reins of Leong’s to his son, Steven. When Steven moved to Sydney, Susan and Warren returned to take over the family legacy.
Disaster struck in 2004 when a fire nearly destroyed the restaurant. But through resilience and hard work, Warren and Susan rebuilt—and in 2006, Leong’s proudly reopened its doors.
In 2012, Warren sold Leong’s to focus on their growing Sydney-based restaurant. After decades of serving the Nowra community, Leong’s closed its doors for good last year—marking the end of one chapter, and the beginning of another.
Interior of the old Leong's
Young Warren and Steven
Staff in the kitchen of Leong's
Kenny always enjoyed a good time with his patrons
A fresh chapter, rooted in tradition
After selling the business a decade ago, Warren and Susan are delighted to return to Nowra with a new venture: Mr Ng’s Cantonese Restaurant. Though reimagined under a new name and brand, their passion for sharing authentic Cantonese cuisine remains unchanged.
Following six months of careful renovations and hard work, Mr NG’s Cantonese Restaurant officially opened its doors on 15 May 2025. While the restaurant has a fresh look and a new name, Warren is quick to reassure guests: this is still the same warm, welcoming family restaurant that generations of locals came to know and love—whether for a weekend dinner or a special birthday celebration.
Now based in Sydney, Warren and Susan’s grown children continue to play a part in the business. From helping choose paint colours to designing the menu and wine list, they remain closely connected—and still pop in to lend a hand on weekends.
Warren has brought back his much-loved Peking Duck, and introduced a yum cha–inspired dim sum menu, served all day, every day—for both lunch and dinner.
He proudly roasts his Roast Duck and Char Siu BBQ Pork in-house, and many of the beloved original recipes live on—especially classics like the Spring Rolls and Ham & Chicken Roll, made just as he learned to prepare them decades ago.
Earlier this year, the family bid farewell to Kenny, who passed away at the age of 94. This restaurant is more than just a business—it’s a tribute to him, and a space where both the Fung and Ng families continue to share their legacy with the Nowra community. Warren and Susan hope to create new friendships, cherished traditions, and lasting memories in his honour.
Mr Ng’s Cantonese Restaurant is located at 83 North Street, Nowra, and is open Tuesday to Sunday for dine-in and takeaway.
Kenny, Dawn and Susan welcome friends from Sydney
Reopening of Leong's in 2006, Nowra News
Opening of Mr NG's in 2025, South Coast Register
