When it opened in Los Angeles in 2012, chef and owner Yoonjin Hwang started out with desserts and later expanded her menu.
The news spread that the food is all really good. From the coffee to spiced beef japchae – which are stir-fried sweet potato glass noodles – to a simple yet extraordinary kimchi fried rice and crunchy waffles.
“I like kimchi,” said Hwang. ‘I think that’s why I make so many dishes with kimchi. Like kimchi friend rice, kimchi pasta. ‘
Momofuku chef and founder David Chang named Spoon by H his “restaurant of the year” in 2018, and gave the small business a shout on his massive Instagram page.
“That’s why we got so much love from our community,” says Hwang.
It received recognition from the Michelin Guide. Despite its growing success, the scam forced the restaurant to announce that they will be temporarily closed, Hwang said.
“So many disputed costs of delivery apps or pre-order… third parties,” she said.
In some cases, people claimed they never received orders that were picked up. In another case, an order over $ 700 – their largest to date – was contested. Despite providing photos of the order and receipt, the restaurant lost the money. It became a daily problem – one that other restaurants experience.
“I just felt incredibly helpless and frustrated, and the pandemic went on and it just got worse,” said Hwang.
Saturday is the last day that customers can collect orders. Slots were all filled up quickly. A GoFundMe page started by a loyal customer has now raised more than $ 60,000. So Hwang does not close the door to a new beginning.
“I don’t know exactly when and how, but you know, I really hope that one day I can give all the love back to our community, to our loyal customers,” she said.
She urges people not to take advantage of small businesses and support them in a difficult time.
“We need your help,” she said. “More than ever.”
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