Episode 218: John Hong & Kat Hong (Yangban restaurant--Los Angeles, CA)

While in Los Angeles last month, Andrew had time for just one pod interview and tops on his list, based on an excellent dinner at their restaurant last fall, were John Hong & Kat Hong, chef-owners of Yangban (yes, they've dropped the "Society" from the name) in DTLA. In this comprehensive conversation, the couple discuss their respective biographies, how they met while working at Josiah Citrin's Mélisse restaurant, then moved to Christopher Kostow's The Restaurant at Meadowood in the Napa Valley, before returning to Los Angeles and opening their own singular place. On the margins of the discussion are thoughts on identity, categorizing cuisine, the perhaps surprising challenges of operating a more casual restaurant, and where this duo's dishes come from. Fascinating, thoughtful stuff here, and we hope you'll check it out.Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.We'd love if you followed us on Instagram. Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!