Legendary Glasgow restaurant Ho Wong is reopening next week – and we've been given a first sneak peek inside.
Glaswegians were left heartbroken in June 2019 when the city centre institution was forced to closed it doors, paving the way for a multi-million pound office development on York Street, where the much-loved Chinese had stood since first opening way back in 1986.
But the team announced in June they'll be back better than ever in a new fitted restaurant only a stone's throw away from its former home.
Ho Wong, now on the corner of Waterloo and West Campbell Street, is set to welcome back customers from noon to 2:30pm on Monday (December 13) followed by a dragon parade at 5pm to celebrate its relaunch.
It might have a fresh new look, but rest assured – all the old favourites will be back on the Ho Wong menu according to the Chung family.
Co-owner Tony said: "The most popular dishes were fillet of beef Cantonese-style, anything salt and pepper, spicy squid, salt and pepper rib, chicken satay and crispy chicken with spicy honey sauce.
"In the Ho Wong we use the good quality ingredients, the best sauces, the most expensive ones. At Ho Wong we always use the proper stuff.
"Everything’s bought and cooked fresh."
Tony, who runs the restaurant with his brother Jaymes and business partner Jim Ridley, said he was "heartbroken" over their closure and recalls there were many diners "in tears" on closing day: "I was saying at the time that it’s finished. I’m not a young boy anymore, I’m coming up bloody 70!"
But the Ho Wong family have a very special place in loyal Glasgow diners' hearts; the restaurant boss received a standing ovation when he came in to say goodbye for the last time in June 2019.
Jim added: "Tony couldn’t face it. He didn’t come. Jaymes, his brother, phoned him and said ‘you’ve got to come in’.
"As he walked in, everyone just stood up and started clapping. He was in tears. That was a nice night."
Jaymes added: "On that last night, we were saying to customers walking out ‘do you want that?’ and they were just taking picture frames off the wall, menus, chopsticks."
Jim: "The Ho Wong just walked out the door – any champagne or wine that was left, Tony was just handing it out."
Ho Wong has built a star-studded clientele over the years, with Billy Connolly, Boyzone, Bob Geldof and a number of Rangers and Celtic players having been through the Ho Wong doors over the years.
The iconic eatery even caught the attention of a certain celebrity chef.. But it wasn't to be.
Jaymes added: "Once, Gordon Ramsay’s secretary phoned me and said: ‘Tony, congratulations! Gordon Ramsay wants you on the Channel 4 show, but I said ‘no thank you!’."
The Ho Wong bosses have been fielding calls from as far as Canada, America and Australia since news broke of its much-anticipated reopening.
Jim said: "There’s been people wanting to book tables for 10, tables for 30, tables for 40."
Jaymes added: "You never see another restaurant with so many regular customers. When someone comes to the Ho Wong, you’ll always see them again."
Bookings for Ho Wong open from tomorrow and can be made by calling 0141 465 5911. Keep an eye on Glasgow Live's Facebook page from 5pm for a look at the dragon parade.
