Korean food Nak Won closes, the owner of the first Japanese ramen shop in the United States passes away｜Goodbye, LA late night cafeteria disappeared with the epidemic

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Nak Won House is permanently closed

For many tourists who study and travel in Los Angeles, Nak Won House is the first impression many people have of Korean cuisine.This 24-hour Korean restaurant on Vermont Street has been in business for 34 years.However, due to the financial crisis affected by the epidemic, Nak Won last weekIt was announced on various social networking sites that it would be permanently closed on September 9.


As a 24-hour Korean food, Nak Won is well-known in the Korean community in Los Angeles. It not only serves classic dishes such as bibimbap, water hyacinth and barbecue, but also the well-lit and simple interior decoration represents pragmatism.Snacks and homemade food, Is the representative of Bunsik (or low-priced restaurant) in South Korea.Koreans compare this place to Denny's in Korea.For office workers who need a bowl of soup in the morning, and night owls who want to drink hot and spicy, Nak Won is undoubtedlyBest value-for-money restaurant in Koreatown.

Source: Yelp


When the neighboring restaurant Hodori opened in 1991 with the same 24-hour system, both offering classic Korean cuisine, the two companies started fierce competition.

In the past few decades, both Nah Won and Hodori next door have provided 24-hour open service. After the 1992 uprising, it has experienced the new crown epidemic for more than half a year. It is trying to adapt to the take-out and take-out system. But this is far from enough. Now Nah Won has given up struggling.Some people are curious about how difficult it is to open a 15-hour restaurant with the minimum wage of $24/hour in Los Angeles and rising food costs and rents.Now, Nak Won is gone forever, and one of the landmarks of the Koreantown restaurant in Los Angeles is gone.But so far, Hodori next door is still open.

Image source: Eater LA


Since the beginning of the epidemic, many iconic restaurants in Koreatown have closed down, from the Beverly Soon Tofu store across the street from Neh Won to the popular Jun Won and Dong Il Jang.At the same time, other surviving restaurants also tried to start outdoor dinning services.

The situation of Koreatown restaurants here is getting worse, and the catering industry in Little Tokyo on the other side is not optimistic.

The owner of Kouraku, the first ramen shop in the U.S., dies

Owner of Kouraku Japanese Ramen Shop in Little Tokyo, Los AngelesHiroshi YamauchiHe died of cancer recently at the age of 67.His wife Mihoko Yamauchi announced the news on social media last weekend.

Image source: Eater LA

Little TokyoKourakuOriginally opened in 1976, it was the first ramen restaurant in the history of the United States.Known for serving ramen and other Japanese home-cooked dishes, it is usually open until 3 am, Deeply loved by nearby residents and tourists.Although the store was temporarily closed in the first few months after the outbreak, Kouraku reopened in early June and provided take-out services and outdoor dining.

Image source: Eater LA

Kouraku initially catered to the needs of Japanese diners, then gradually became popular with Koreans and Chinese, and finally won the love of mainstream Americans.Accepted before deathIn an interview with the newspaper Rafu Shimpo, Yamauchi said,Kouraku's food is inspired by popular Japanese dishes after World War II.At that time, the Japanese labor force was busy with heavy work such as reconstruction. Foods such as ramen and curry rice were not only reasonably priced, but also easy to eat and satisfying. Kouraku offers many types of noodles, fried rice, and even Chinese food such as mapo tofu, providing a good place for night owls in Los Angeles.

LA Times also specially interviewed Yamauchi at the beginning of the epidemic, and he realized then,The restaurant business must combine social media and online payments to stay open.After opening the Facebook page, many old diners expressed support and encouragement.Yamauchi is very encouraged.On Facebook, Yamauchi is known for his love of emoji, which has won the participation of diners.

Yamauchi said in his first post on Facebook: "During the dark days of Little Tokyo, young people came to me and said:'We are all here to support you. Let us work together.'.Thanks for their help on Facebook and UberEats, and for Kouraku arranged all the new promotional photos...I encourage everyone to support Little Tokyo.Not only for Kouraku now, but also for the future of these young people."

Yamauchi's determination also makes him an ideal supporter of fellow diners, especially those with limited English skills.Whenever he sees that may have a negative impact or unfair treatment on small businesses in Little TokyoAt that time, he would not hesitate to ask the city government to take action.He fought for everyone, not just himself.

At present, due to the news of Yamauchi's death, there are many diners coming to mourn the Facebook page.


A diner named Willa Lim wrote:"Thank you for everything. I will always remember your cheerful and happy smiling face every time I enter the store. I will miss you very much."

Since the epidemic, the founder of BCD tofu pot has passed away, and now the owner of the first ramen shop in the United States has also passed away.The number of closed restaurants is even more numerous.Hope all this gets better soon 🙏


Author and editor｜GuoGui

References:
https://la.eater.com/2020/10/1/21497393/nak-won-restaurant-closing-koreatown-los-angeles
https://www.rafu.com/2020/09/kourakus-hiroshi-yamauchi-67-passes-away/?fbclid=IwAR2ixTAu1I2VYdZTJk-TNgAwM4PIsXvBp6C5zQPAy3LumXYoAXdawvl3Hag
https://la.eater.com/2020/9/28/21472097/kouraku-restaurant-hiroshi-yamauchi-little-tokyo-first-ramen-los-angeles
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