{"id":34260,"date":"2023-08-31T10:44:46","date_gmt":"2023-08-31T13:44:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chmafm.com\/welcome\/?p=34260"},"modified":"2023-08-31T10:51:01","modified_gmt":"2023-08-31T13:51:01","slug":"paul-an-brings-the-other-kfc-to-bridge-street-oh-chicken-set-to-open-in-september-in-former-mels-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chmafm.com\/welcome\/paul-an-brings-the-other-kfc-to-bridge-street-oh-chicken-set-to-open-in-september-in-former-mels-space\/","title":{"rendered":"Paul An brings ‘the other KFC’ to Bridge Street: Oh Chicken set to open in September, in former Mel’s space"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Paul An at the future bar of his new restaurant, Oh Chicken, on Bridge Street. Photo: Erica Butler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The trademark neon sign that marked the location of Mel\u2019s Tea Room for seven decades will remain on the building outside, but the space that once housed the beloved diner has been transformed into something completely new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mint green walls have been painted black on one side, and exposed to brick on another. Modern lighting hangs over a simple bar, where patrons will soon be able to order a beer and pay their bill. Underfoot is still the same black and white tile floor that was once part of the Mel\u2019s Tea Room aesthetic, the one crossover to the new restaurant opening soon in this space in the coming weeks: Oh Chicken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh Chicken is the creation of Paul An, owner and operator of Song\u2019s Chopsticks across the street. An says when he saw the Mel\u2019s space up for lease, he started imagining what else he could bring to the restaurant landscape of Sackville. A Korean favourite came to mind: Korean fried chicken, what is sometimes called \u201cthe other KFC\u201d<\/a>. Chicken pieces, either boneless or bone in, marinated, deep fried, and then glazed with a number of different sauces, the most popular being yangnyeom (pronounced yang-nyum).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt’s like a sweet chilli, but different,\u201d says An. \u201cI can’t really describe the sauce, you have to try it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An says he\u2019s been working on the recipe for the past two months. \u201cI had chicken almost every day,\u201d says the restaurateur. \u201cOur Asian tastes and the Western tastes are a little different. So we kind of changed it to fit more towards Western culture. So I hope people like it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An says he\u2019s heard from students who are familiar with the dish, which is growing in popularity in Canada. \u201cA lot of people know about it,\u201d says An. \u201cI\u2019m sure we’ll have people from Moncton coming in to try it\u2026 We\u2019re very excited. I want to open as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An has been working on transforming the Mel\u2019s space since early August, and he\u2019s near the finish line. He hopes to wind up construction this week, and start work on getting the correct permits the week after. If all goes well, Oh Chicken could be open in mid-September, or at the latest by the end of the month, he hopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides the new look, the first thing to notice about the restaurant space is that it\u2019s smaller. The back left hand portion of the restaurant has been walled off, and An says he\u2019s not aware of any plans for the space. \u201cHopefully, if we do really well, we have space to expand,\u201d says An. \u201cBut as of now, it will just be empty space.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Hopefully, they will accept something new.’<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An moved to Canada from Korea in 2015, and has been living in Moncton ever since, commuting to Song\u2019s, which he took over in 2019. \u201cWe’re happy we’re in Sackville\u2026 I think it’s a pretty nice small town where everyone knows each other,\u201d he says. One of the things An enjoys about small town restaurant life is having regulars. \u201cThey don’t even order,\u201d he says. \u201cI see them… okay, you’re getting the same things. I just make the food right away. I don’t think you see that a lot in bigger cities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His fondness for the town and his experience at Song\u2019s prompted him to take on the Oh Chicken project. \u201cIf there’s more opportunity, I’m looking to do more stuff in Sackville,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But opening in a space that was occupied by the same restaurant for over 70 years can be daunting. An says he knows there is a lot of nostalgia for Mel\u2019s Tea Room. \u201cPeople grew up here with Mel\u2019s together, so I do understand that,\u201d he says. \u201cThey’re very sad. Something new is coming in. It’s totally different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHopefully, they will accept something new,\u201d says An. Ultimately, he\u2019s hoping the fried chicken will win people over. \u201cIf they like the food, I think they will slowly be okay with it,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for the sign hanging over the sidewalk outside, An says he told his landlords John Ernst and Tyler Gay that he\u2019s fine with it. The Bridge Street fixture is technically owned by previous Mel\u2019s owners Dave and Wendy Epworth, and An says he doesn\u2019t expect any changes to its location anytime soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the opening of Oh Chicken coming in the next few weeks, An is understandably excited, but its not just for the new restaurant. After seeing Song\u2019s through the pandemic (\u201cI didn\u2019t really have much fun there,\u201d he says), he\u2019s looking forward to the year ahead for both Song\u2019s and his new venture. His brother, who has worked with him at Song\u2019s before, will take over there while he focusses on Oh Chicken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re excited for both,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd for Sackville, with other restaurants, everyone’s been through a long pandemic. So I think everyone is excited for this year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hear this story as reported on Tantramar Report:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Former Mel’s Tea Room begins transformation to something new<\/a><\/blockquote>