HISTORY OF
CHOLON MODERN ASIAN – CENTRAL PARK

ChoLon translates to “big market” in Vietnamese and is named after the largest Chinese-influenced market in Saigon. Fittingly, it also includes Chef Lon Symensma’s name, who opened ChoLon in Downtown Denver in 2010, following his extensive culinary travels throughout Asia.

Here’s how the story goes… Before moving to Denver, Chef Lon spent over a decade in New York City honing his culinary skills. For three years he worked under acclaimed Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten at his flagship restaurant. He traveled to China to participate in the opening of Jean-Georges Shanghai, then went back to New York City to open Jean-Georges’ revolutionary Southeast Asian restaurant, Spice Market. Implementing a variety of cooking techniques and ingredients from his travels around China and Southeast Asia, Lon spent five years as the Executive Chef of the iconic Buddakan in NYC. During that time, Buddakan became the fifth highest-grossing restaurant in the country and earned a coveted two stars from the New York Times.

Upon relocating to Denver, Lon opened ChoLon Downtown, with a menu featuring inspired interpretations of traditional dishes found across the exotic Far East. From dim sum or “small bites” to creative wok dishes, authentic flavors capture a unique twist for the modern palate.

After many years of evolution – including eight years on the 5280 Top 25 Restaurants List and being named a James Beard finalist for Best New Restaurant in America – Symensma and business partner Christopher Davis-Massey opened a second ChoLon location in Central Park.

Chef Michelle Xiao, who previously served as a dim sum chef at Buddakan during Lon’s tenure as Executive Chef, has joined our team. Xiao has over thirty years of dim sum experience and moved to Denver from New York City in 2019. At ChoLon, her expertise shines as she showcases her unique skills in the form of delicate dumplings.