Zhen Wei Fang Gets Going at Former Congee Bowery Space
For the second time in as many years, the folks behind Congee Bowery are switching it up. Yet keeping it in the family.
You’ll recall that Congee Bowery transitioned to Hot Pot Village in the summer of 2017. Now, just over a year later, a grand opening celebration is underway for Zhen Wei Fang. The restaurant at 207 Bowery is parallel with its predecessor, and has been serving since last month.
Principals behind the concept – Ricky Liang and Wei Chen – purchased the assets from the prior owners, and obtained approval from Community Board 3 this month for a full liquor license. Liang operates the Allen Hotel (at Broome Street) and is the son of Congee Village owner Peter Liang.
The Congee Village one-two punch began in 1996 with the sprawling location at 100 Allen Street. Lou Holtzman’s Eastside Sound recording studio had operated for decades on what would later become the mezzanine level of the restaurant; Holtzman moved the business to Forsyth Street in 2000. The Bowery restaurant followed in 2005.
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