Asian Bite, a tiny but much-loved fixture on San Antonio’s Far Northside, has gone quiet for now after head chef and co-owner Gunawan suffered a stroke in late May. The family-run restaurant has temporarily closed while he undergoes treatment and his household faces a tangle of medical bills and around-the-clock caregiving. Loyal regulars and nearby residents have turned to social media to send well wishes as the family waits on an uncertain recovery timeline.
A fundraiser launched June 1 is seeking $30,000 to help cover medical expenses and replace lost income. So far it has pulled in $22,690 from roughly 285 donors, according to GoFundMe. Organizer Sylvia Prabudy created the campaign on behalf of beneficiary Apriyane Halim, noting that one of the couple’s sons has autism and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which already requires significant care and support at home.
As reported by MySA, the stroke occurred at the end of May, and an Instagram post shared by the restaurant showed Gunawan in a hospital setting with his two sons, indicating he was still hospitalized as of June 10. The outlet also reported that Asian Bite changed ownership in 2024 and that, according to fundraiser organizers, “Gunawan is the restaurant’s only cook,” a tough reality that made a temporary shutdown unavoidable.
Neighbors Rally And The Restaurant's Place In The Neighborhood
Tucked into Encino Commons on the Far Northside, the shop has built a steady local following for its home-style Asian dishes, according to the restaurant’s official site. Review pages and customer comments echo that reputation, with high ratings and repeated shout-outs for favorite dishes that help explain why neighbors have been so quick to donate and send messages of support. You can browse the menu on Asian Bite and check reader reviews on TripAdvisor.
MySA notes that the outlet attempted to contact the restaurant by direct message and had not received a response, and there is currently no public timeline for reopening. On the fundraiser page, the family has been using updates to thank everyone who has chipped in. In one message of gratitude, Apriyane Halim wrote, “We are overwhelmed by the love and support,” according to MySA.
How To Help
Those who want to lend a hand can donate to the family’s fundraiser or share the campaign to help it reach more people. The page includes contribution options and periodic updates on Gunawan’s condition and the restaurant’s situation. The campaign is hosted on GoFundMe, and supporters can also follow Asian Bite on social media for any future word on reopening.
