Journey from Matsugin to Piora: Embracing Challenges and Pursuing Passion

Koreaworld is here! It’s a new cookbook from Deuki Hong and TASTE’s Matt Rodbard, and this week we are looking at the modern Korean food movement from all angles. Today on the show we have Simon Kim in the studio. Simon is the guy behind some of the buzziest restaurants in New York, including Cote Korean Steakhouse and the new fried chicken palace Coqodaq. Simon and Matt go way back, and this conversation covers Simon’s rise through the restaurant ranks, having worked for Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Thomas Keller before debuting with the stellar Piora in 2013. We talk about how he grew up on Long Island and helped his mom open the pioneer Tribeca Korean restaurant Kori, while finding out what the rise of Korean food in America has meant to him. 

MORE WITH SIMON KIM:

• Famed NYC Office Tower Lures Michelin-starred Chef [NY Post]
• Simon Kim Wants Coqodaq to Be the Champion of Fried Chicken [Observer]

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