K-Town brings traditional Korean BBQ flavor to Cincinnati, presented in a non-traditional setting.
The K-Town story starts with creator Rich Juzwick, a native of the West Side of Cincinnati. Every Summer as a child, Rich would travel to Pittsburgh to see his family and his Korean Grandmother, Susan (Shim). There, he would watch her cook authentic Korean dishes and prepare homemade sides. Rich reminisces, "Every Summer I'd sit and watch my Grandmother cook, filling the house with the scent of garlic, sesame oil and other Korean seasonings. Around dinner time, my Aunt and Uncles would come home from school and work. We'd sit around the table and devour the delicious food she'd make. My love for Korean food began at this time but wasn't fully realized until later in life, when I could fully appreciate all the flavors." After Shim's passing, Rich and his family would honor her memory and their Korean heritage by visiting local Korean BBQs in Pittsburgh like Young Bin Kwan, Jimmy Tsang's and Sushi Kim.
Years later, Rich moved to Los Angeles where his love and appreciation for Korean food grew. Frequenting many Korean BBQs and even living in Koreatown for many years, Rich became synonymous with Korean BBQ to his Los Angeles friends. He also became known for hosting large dinner parties at his homes in Hollywood and Sherman Oaks.
While in Los Angeles, Rich's career in music also grew. He started the band Gemini Syndrome, signed to Warner Bros. Records, completing multiple tours across the United States. Rich departed Gemini Syndrome a few years later and joined the band September Mourning, signed to Sumerian Records. With over a decade of touring under is belt, Rich was able to sample some of the best Korean BBQ and cuisine in the country.
In the recent years, Rich has made Cincinnati his home base again, contributing his time to the local community through efforts with Cheviot Historical Society and West Side Market. He also began focusing on his love for cooking by learning and developing his talents as a chef. Upon encouragement from his friends, Rich began to develop different ideas to utilize his love for food and cooking.
After many idea revisions, Rich realized that Korean BBQ was the answer and the idea of "K-Town" was born. Rich says, "I've always explained to friends that Cincinnati hasn't historically had a large Korean population so there's never been a Koreatown (aka K-Town) in the area. I also told them that some day an authentic Korean BBQ would open in Cincinnati and they would be able to taste and see the subtle differences between the Korean restaurants they've tried and Korean BBQ. Then it dawned on me, Cincinnati doesn't have a K-Town, so I should just bring K-Town to Cincinnati!"
And with that sentiment, "K-Town Cincy" was born.
COMING SOON
COMING SOON
