While in Los Angeles last month, Andrew had time for just one pod interview.
At the top of his list, based on an excellent dinner at their restaurant last fall, were John and 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 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.
This episode of Andrew Talks to Chefs, a fully independent podcast hosted by Andrew Friedman, was published with permission.
