Restaurant that closed has now transformed into a new Korean spot in Toronto

A restaurant that closed after nearly a decade in business has now been transformed into a brand new Korean concept run by the same mother and daughter duo behind the shuttered spot.

Te once served contemporary Korean fusion cuisine in a bustling neighbourhood of Toronto, but the restaurant has long lain dormant as the future was uncertain for the concept and the doors remained closed.

“Te is contemporary Korean fusion at its best. Chef-owned and operated, Te specializes in modern interpretations of traditional Korean cuisine. With respect to chef’s Korean heritage and Canadian upbringing, the menu incorporates authentic Korean home-cooking with other well known comfort food staples,” reads the Te website.

“Every aspect of every dish is prepared by hand with care and cooked for you by chef and her mom (yes, just the two of them) at every service, no exceptions.”

Te served a wide variety of Korean-Canadian sharing plates as well as cocktails. Dishes on the menu included honey butter fries, dark-spiced chicken bites, bulgogi sliders, braised pork crostini, curry tteokbokki and even Korean-inspired hot pockets.

The restaurant had closed due to a fire and remained closed for over a year, and attempted to reopen as Te during the summer months.

“Pulling back the curtain…after 15 long and arduous months, recovering from a fire, Te is reopening on Friday, July 4th,” read a social media post from Te. “It was far too long and we missed you. Feeling extremely grateful, happy and hopeful, we look forward to welcoming you back!”

However, by October, Te started hinting at changes on their social media.

“Something new is coming… but that means having to say a hard goodbye to all the favourites that we served at Te over the past nine years,” reads a post. “Last chance until October 25th!”

Now, the mother and daughter team behind Te, You Kyung and Grace Cho, are forging ahead with a new chapter at the same address where their old restaurant once operated.

“Thank you for your support over the past nine years!” reads the official website for Te. “The same mother & daughter duo would like to introduce you to Nabe Hana — quality Korean home cooking using time-honoured family recipes.”

The new restaurant appears to focus mainly on homestyle Korean comfort food served in traditional black pots.

“One pot, endless comfort,” reads the website for the new restaurant Nabe Hana. “Quality Korean home cooking by mother and daughter chef team, You Kyung and Grace Cho, using their time-honoured family recipes.”

Nabe Hana is now open at 70 Ossington Ave.