Andrew Friedman with John Hong & Kat Hong

Andrew Friedman Talks to John & Kat Hong

Pictured left to right: Andrew Friedman, John Hong and Kat Hong of Yangban restaurant, located in Downtown Los Angeles.

While in Los Angeles last month, Andrew had time for just one pod interview.

Andrew Friedman has authored or coauthored more than 25 chef-focused books, including the forthcoming "The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food." He is also the host and producer of the popular podcast "Andrew Talks to Chefs." He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

June 23, 2023

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.