A Bay Area chef is set to flip a familiar downtown San Jose hangout, turning longtime music venue Mama Kin into a new Vietnamese restaurant called Mr. Gao on South First Street.
According to the Silicon Valley Business Journal, Mr. Gao is planning for 374 S. First St., the address where Mama Kin recently announced it would shut down. The outlet identified the new concept as "Mr. Gao" and reported that the change follows Mama Kin's closure notice.
From Music Venue To Vietnamese Kitchen
For years, Mama Kin has been part of the South First Street fabric, hosting jazz nights, open-mic events and touring acts while keeping the lights on late for food and drinks. Local coverage and event listings have consistently placed 374 S. First St. on downtown's nightlife map. Metro Silicon Valley highlights the venue's place in the post-pandemic rebound of Silicon Valley nightlife.
What’s Known About Mr. Gao
So far, details on the chef behind Mr. Gao, the planned menu and when the doors will actually open are still under wraps. The Silicon Valley Business Journal report did not include a construction schedule or target opening date, and it noted only that Mama Kin had announced its closure of the space.
Next Steps For The Site
For regulars who counted on Mama Kin as a reliable live music stop, the switch to Mr. Gao means the building's after-dark role is about to change. Neither the outgoing operators nor the incoming team have shared menu previews or a firm timeline for the debut. This story will be updated as owners or city records reveal more about what is next for 374 S. First St.
