Fan Tang opens new Northeast Heights location

Innovative Chinese dishes are joining the Northeast Heights with the opening of Fan Tang’s new location.

After opening Fan Tang in Nob Hill 13 years ago, owner Jason Zeng decided he wanted to expand.

“The people in the community love it,” said Zeng. “They’ve been waiting for me to come here.”

The new location, which had a soft opening on May 31 and fully opened a week later, is bustling with activity.

“So far, it’s been more busy than I thought it would be,” he said.

Zeng always intended to expand Fan Tang, but faced setbacks along the way.

“What stopped me was, my street was shut down for about a year, which set me back. After I recovered from that, I planned again, but that set me back for years,” he said.

Now, Zen is excited to bring his restaurant to a new community.

The menu, which is the same at both locations, features unique dishes like tea-smoked beef and coffee chicken.

“The coffee chicken is our No. 1 selling dish, and it won a Hot Plate Award for the best chicken dish in Albuquerque,” said Zeng. “It’s fresh ground coffee rubbed on organic chicken breast, fried with a sweet, spicy, smoky flavor sauce.”

Another standout dish is the tea-smoked beef.

“I take Applewood smoked tea, organic or emerald syrup to cope with it. Both of them are from me, and I put them with Chipotle garlic and sea salt rub,” Zeng said. “We’re really, really different. Something you won’t find anywhere else.”

Situated at 9004 Montgomery NE, Zeng says the restaurant has already attracted a loyal following, including teachers and students at nearby Albuquerque Academy and other schools.