Mark Your Calendars: Shirley Chung’s Night Rooster Opens in Dallas January 31
“Top Chef” alum Shirley Chung has partnered with Hooper Hospitality Concepts to open a new Dallas restaurant, Night Rooster. The fine dining eatery will open Jan. 31.
Food Network star and “Top Chef” alum Shirley Chung, known affectionately as The Dumpling Queen of Los Angeles, is opening a brand new restaurant in Dallas on January 31. Night Rooster, located at 1000 N. Riverfront Boulevard, is billed as a modern Chinese fine dining establishment. Using ingredients grown in Texas, the menu will feature “a refined yet deeply personal expression of Chinese cuisine.” Chung, who partnered with Andy Hooper of Hooper Hospitality Concepts, spoke about the personal significance of the project.
“Night Rooster is a reflection of my life. It’s rooted in Chinese heritage, shaped by my journey in America as well as my recent health and personal challenges, and inspired by the incredible ingredients and spirit of Texas,” Chung said. The “Top Chef” star was diagnosed with stage IV cancer in 2024 and underwent intensive radiation and chemotherapy treatments. She’s now fully in remission and grateful for her health, along with the ability to focus on Night Rooster’s impending opening.
“After everything I’ve been through — I can’t begin to say enough about how happy I am to be cooking again, and I hope this restaurant will be filled with passion and joy, from our team and our guests alike,” she added to her statement. The opening of Night Rooster is special for another reason, as it also marks the second time Hooper and Chung have collaborated on a project. Hooper said in a statement, “Shirley and I have talked about building something together for over 20 years, and Night Rooster is the realization of that dream. Night Rooster tells a story—of friendship, perseverance, and starting fresh—and we’re incredibly proud to bring that story to life.”
The menu will feature an array of mouthwatering items and signature drinks. Let’s take a closer look at the offerings.
What’s on the menu?
Night Rooster will showcase items such as Lobster and Shrimp Eggrolls, Honey Walnut Prawns with plum sauce aioli, Sweet and Sour Branzino with pomegranate sauce, and Orange Texas Quail stuffed with house-made chicken sausage. Jumbo Wagyu Cheeseburger Potstickers will be served with tomato bacon jam, and duck fat spicy chicken wontons will be dressed in chili crisp vinaigrette. Jasmine tea smoked duck, Drunken Yellowtail marinated in tequila soy with bird’s eye chili and lime, and several noodle options will also be on the menu.
Many of Night Rooster’s dishes will be made with local ingredients, like mushrooms from Texas Fungus in Arlington and beef from Sulphur Springs’ Outpost 76 Ranch. Signature drinks include the Dove Dynasty—featuring Iichiko Saiten Shochu, lime, Aperol, Montelebos mezcal, togarashi, and Lady Bird ruby red grapefruit soda—and the East Meets West, made with High West bourbon, bitters, Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky, and black sugar.
The restaurant will only be open for dinner service. Night Rooster’s operating hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
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