I think chefs by nature are very instinctual and impulsive. We don’t necessarily think about the reasons why we do things. We just do them. I think any show like this makes you really take a moment, pause, and dig deep. I think for me, that was really revealing about myself. I always knew it, but what really came to floor is that I’m just fascinated by the narratives of every person that I come in contact with.
— Edward Lee in 2015, addressing his experience on the PBS series Mind of a Chef
Louisville foodie media folks are abuzz, and it’s not only because of their roast beast-driven holiday anticipation. Rather, as conveyed by Arianna Sergio at WHAS-11, renowned local chef Edward Lee is opening two new restaurants under the same roof.
Award-winning Chef Edward Lee announced that he will be opening a new restaurant in early 2023.
Nami will feature “classic Korean dishes alongside modern interpretations of the cuisine such as Korean BBQ, Bibimbap, Banchan, Mandu, and Pa Jun, as well as feature items like house-made Kimchi, and more.”
There’s more.
According to the news release, the restaurant will have two levels. The first floor will have the main dining room, bar and lounge and the upstairs level will have traditional Korean grill tables, a private dining room and a private karaoke room.
Besides Nami, officials say, the building will also have another Lee concept: Neighbor Noodles. The concept is a carry-out only noodle shop that will be operated by the same group of people.
The only disputed fact would seem to be whether the $40 million dollar mixed use development of which Lee’s kitchen(s) will be a part lies in Butchertown or NuLu. I’m voting Butchertown because it’s the north side of Main Street. But make no mistake; this is big news from one of our city’s heaviest culinary hitters.
Read more about Edward Lee at Food & Dining Magazine.
