A beloved Oriental restaurant in Columbus is closing for good, but not before they give their supporters one last week to enjoy the food they’ve served for decades.
Ok Sun Ferrell moved to Columbus from Tacoma, Washington, in the 1970s, a move that would eventually lead to the opening of Ok Sun Oriental Restaurant.
After marrying her husband, Harris, the couple enjoyed eating out. Asian cuisine, milkshakes and other sweets were Harris’ favorite foods during these dates, Ferrell’s niece, Victoria Chong, told the Ledger-Enquirer translating for Ferrell.
Harris and entrepreneur Buddy Nelms worked as business partners back then while running the Colony Inn on Victory Drive. Ferrell worked with her husband there, but her love for hosting dinner for family and friends led her to another venture.
With Harris’ support, Ferrell opened Ok Sun Oriental Restaurant in 1985 on Victory Circle. Her menu was developed from creating “Americanized” recipes for Harris’ favorite Asian cuisine items. In homage to their love of milkshakes, the restaurant also originally had a milkshake machine.