When it opened in 2012 in Los Angeles, chef and owner Yoonjin Hwang started with dessert and later expanded her menu.
It was spread that the food is really good. From coffee, to spicy beef japchae, which are fried sweet potato glass noodles, to a simple but extraordinary fried rice with kimchi and crispy waffles.
“I love kimchi,” Hwang said. “I think that’s why I make so many dishes with kimchi. Like, kimchi friend rice, kimchi pasta.”
Momofuku chef and founder David Chang called Spoon by H his “restaurant of the year” in 2018 and gave the small business a shout out on his huge Instagram page.
“That’s why we received so much love from our community,” Hwang said.
He received recognition from the Michelin guide. Despite the growing success, the scams forced the restaurant to announce that they would close temporarily, according to Hwang.
“There are so many charges challenged for delivery or pre-booking applications … from third parties,” he said.
In some cases, people stated that they never received orders. In another case, an order for more than $ 700 was disputed (the largest to date). Despite providing photographs of the order and receipt, the restaurant lost money. It became a daily problem, experienced by other restaurants.
“I felt incredibly helpless and frustrated, and the pandemic continued and got worse,” Hwang said.
Saturday is the last day customers can pick up orders. The slots filled quickly. A GoFundMe page started by a loyal customer has raised over $ 60,000. Therefore, Hwang does not close the door to a new beginning.
“I don’t know exactly when or how, but you know, I hope one day I can give back all the love to our community, to our loyal customers,” he said.
He urges people not to take advantage of small businesses and support them in a difficult time.
“We need your help,” he said. “More than ever.”
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