DENVER — JW Lee is a food force with humble beginnings and big ambitions. With over 20 restaurant concepts under his Seoul Hospitality Group brand, he continues to bring Asian flavors to diners who are hungry for warm atmospheres and fantastic forkfuls (or chopsticks if you prefer!).
CO&CO: What continues to drive you to create new and exciting dining concepts?
JW: I was chef for 30 years in South Korea when I came to America with a dream to expand. We want to share great Korean food culture with our communities, and continually introduce different and exciting dining experiences.
CO&CO: So...fried chicken...this could start a lively debate! But do you think Korean style is the best?
JW: Korean fried chicken is based on flavor and light batter. Many recipes are out there; however, Korean style fried chicken is driven by the savory flavor of the sauce, marination, and finally a light crispy batter - that's the key fact.
CO&CO: How do your traditional family recipes show up on your menus today?
JW: I learned my cooking skill from my grandma and aunt. I infuse their recipes with American flavors to create new mixtures of taste. That's what makes me most excited- sharing new dishes and flavors with our communities.
COCO: If you could pick a restaurant as the “heart” of your company...what would it be?
JW: I would say " Seoul Korean BBQ" because of the unique dining experience it provides and its longevity - opened since 2007!
CO&CO: You’re host to Havana Street Night Markets, and your restaurant Leezakaya is such an important part of the events. What does it mean to you to be on Havana Street and rooted in Aurora?
JW: Havana Street was once known as "Korean town"- host to many different cultures. I am so happy to be a part of any opportunity to introduce unique food and culture to everyone who visits Aurora and Havana Street.
Learn more and plan your visit to Havana Street & Havana Night Markets. Stop by for some deliciousness at JW Lee's Leezakaya Restaurant while you're there!
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