Wendy Leon Instagram Location: Los Angeles Wendy Leon is the matriarch behind Chifa, a Chinese Peruvian eatery in Los Angeles. Opened in 2020 by her son Humberto, the restaurant is the second incarnation of the original Chifa she founded in Lima, Peru, in 1975. Most of the menu items are based on Leon's extensive repertoire of recipes and reinterpretations of her Lima restaurant's beloved classics. Experience Wendy Leon met her Chinese Peruvian husband Ricardo Jose Leon in Hong Kong. After the couple emigrated with their young family to Lima, Peru, she decided to start a restaurant by introducing her style of Cantonese cuisine to Peruvian customers. Although the concept of Chinese-Peruvian food was nothing new in Peru at the time, Wendy's food stood out among the competition primarily because she was the only one in the area who could make proper crispy wonton skins. Customers loved the spare ribs, steamed pork, Si Yao Chicken, and other original recipes from Leon's native Tongshan County. Wendy closed her restaurant when she and her family emigrated to the U.S. Intent on reviving their mother's restaurant dreams, Leon's son, daughter, and son-in-law collaborated with Wendy to reimagine a new modern, stylish Chifa 45 years later. About Food & Wine Food & Wine, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is an award-winning online resource for anyone passionate about the culinary world. With rigorously tested recipes and the most trusted restaurant, drinks, culinary travel and home coverage, we inspire and empower people everywhere to discover, create, and devour the best in food and wine. Learn more about us and our editorial process.