Chogajib Korean Restaurant

Digest Kitchen Insider

December 30, 2012

Story By: Dining Out Team | Photos by: Nathalie Walker

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Always wonder what goes on behind the scenes at your favorite restaurant? Well, much credit goes to the many chefs, owners and managers who work diligently day in and day out to make sure Hawaii’s diners have a top-notch dining experience.

This week, Dining Out gets the inside scoops from Chogajib Korean Restaurant owner Jeong Lim, who gives us a little taste of Chogajib and shares just what fuels his culinary drive.

Name: Jeon Lim
Title: Owner of Chogajib
Training/Education: 15 years in the restaurant industry

Who or what inspires you as a chef/manager/owner? When I see that my customers are happy with their food it always gives me a sense of accomplishment. Nothing makes me happier than seeing loyal customers come back and visit us regularly, because that means they enjoy what we are offering. When they write good reviews online that also is very fulfilling because it spreads the word to others that they enjoyed their experience here and would recommend it to others.

If you could serve food to a celebrity, who would it be and why? What dish would you serve? I would love to serve Hyun Bin, a famous Korean actor who is very popular and actually well known with locals here who like to watch K-dramas. I heard he is actually in Hawaii now! I would serve him our Eujungbu Budae Stew, a stew with all kinds of things in it — Spam, sausage, bacon, ramen, etc. I would also like to serve Daniel Dae Kim from Hawaii Five-0. He’s a very famous Korean-American actor, and I would love for him to try our authentic dishes. I would serve him our kalbi and naeng myun (cold noodle) set.

What is your favorite dish on the menu? Why? My favorite dish on the menu is Kimchi Jeongol-Pork or Kimchi Pot Stew. It’s a spicy stew with all kinds of things in it such as kimchi, pork, tofu, onion, chili pepper, etc. We bring it out on a burner and it cooks on the table in front of you!

Is there a dish that you create that’s not on your menu, but available upon request? A couple of specials we have right now that are not on our usual menu are Stewed Smothered Monkfish and Spicy Chopped Chicken Stew. If you ask for these we will be happy to serve it to you.