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Chinese Food Truck Satiates Famished Students

* Jack X. Yang serves harried and hungry passers-by

Some Cantabrigians are surprised to see Chinese food sold out of a truck on Oxford Street.

But Jack X. Yang, who owns and operates Chinese Kitchen, thinks it's only natural.

"There are many pizza trucks, sub trucks," he said. "And many people like Chinese cuisine."

Yang first put his meals on wheels five years ago, when he parked his truck near the Law School and sold his wares to hungry law students.

The truck moved to its current spot near 42 Oxford St. early this summer because of construction of the Maxwell-Dworkin building, according to officials at the University Parking Office.

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Yang said he feels a special tie to Harvard because of his largely University-affiliated clientele.

"We devoted ourselves to the Harvard community," he said. "We're here Friday, Saturday, even holidays. Some days we don't have transmission, so we tow it here and tow it back."

The truck's hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Many Law School and Divinity School students are daily customers of the truck, according to Yang.

"Even before they come we already have food prepared for them," Yang said.

Manoj S. Mate, a first-year law student, said he eats there "almost every day."

"I usually get tofu with fried rice or shrimp with fried rice," he said.

But Yang does not prepare Mate's dish in advance.

"He doesn't know my name yet," Mate said.

Ian Shapiro, a first-year law student, said he objects to one of Yang's mannerisms. "If he thinks you're interested in the Mideast truck he'll give you a dirty look," Shapiro said.

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