When Airdrie chip shop Off the Hook closed its doors in May, fans of the award-winning takeaway were devastated.

But North Lanarkshire's loss is Glasgow’s gain as owners Lee and Johnny Chung have opened a brand new business in the city.  

The husband-and-wife team launched Ho Lee Fook at the Barras two weeks ago bringing authentic Asian street food to the East End as they finally realise a dream they’ve had since they spent four months travelling around Southeast Asia when they first met.  

READ NEXT: Owners to close Airdrie chippy that got 'shout-out from Piers Morgan'

Glasgow Times:

After becoming parents to their two children, Lee, 36, says it "made sense" to close Off The Hook and open a street food location, although closing the doors after almost 10 years was "really sad".  

She said: "As much as we were excited to start a new venture. We spent 10 years building such a successful business, and in that time, we got married, three days before opening the chippy, and then had our honeymoon in the chippy, popped out two kids, got some awards and worked through the pandemic.

"We had great relationships with our team and customers, so it was really sad to leave.

"It really was our first baby."

Glasgow Times:

Explaining why they decided to close the business, which once got a shout-out from Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain for their deep-fried Crème Egg, she continued: "It was to spend more time with the kids because I was working every night and only closed on Monday.

"Obviously working with food you have to work the weekends, but at least at the Barras I know it’s the weekends and I get to see the kids during the week."

While Off The Hook served Asian food alongside fish and chips, the couple decided to focus on Asian cuisine with Ho Lee Fook so they could bring a 'bit of their own culture' to Glasgow.

Glasgow Times:

Both Lee and Johnny, 38, were born in Scotland to parents from Hong Kong and they grew up as "takeaway kids".

Lee says it feels "really good" to now have their own business.

"We basically always lived at the back of a takeaway and have always helped our mum and dads out ever since we were children," she explains.

"We’ve been born into this industry watching our parents cook and work so hard, and that’s obviously rubbed off on us as well.

"They’re really proud of us."

READ NEXT: Owners of former Airdrie chippy open new business in Glasgow

Glasgow Times: The couple, who previously lived in nearby Dennistoun, settled on the tongue-in-cheek name which translate as Good (Ho) Wealth (Lee) Luck (Fook) because of the meaning, but also because it sounds "great for the area".

The eatery opened on Friday, June 9, and already Lee and Johnny are feeling right at home and "proud" to be part of the iconic Barras.

Lee said: "The response has been really really good, nothing like what we thought it was going to be, it’s been absolutely incredible.

"Everybody’s been so kind, all the traders at the Barras, all the locals, everybody’s been so so nice.

"It’s been really busy to the point where we keep selling out".

Glasgow Times:

She added: "I’m so proud to be part of it [the Barras] now and me and Johnny both love it.

"It’s only been the weekend and we’ve both fallen in love with the place.

"It's got such a buzz about it.

"The food scene in Glasgow is just becoming better and better."

And for anyone struggling to choose what to have from the menu, Lee has one suggestion that stands out on the menu for her.

She said: "Johnny’s been doing the Japanese Tonkatsu Sando.

"It takes three days to prepare, he has to trim the fat, he has to brine it, it has to get braised and then it need to get panko’d and fried, and it’s just amazing.

"That’s been the standout dish."

Ho Lee Fook is located at 1/3 McFarlane Street and will be open Thursday to Sunday.