A Koreatown restaurant, Hong Yeon is moving into the former location of The Dragon Restaurant (Yong Gung), a Korean Chinese restaurant that has been lost to the memories of Korean Americans in Los Angeles.
Hong Yeon opened its doors in Rotex Hotel in 2021 and has become a well-known Korean Chinese restaurant in Koreatown since then.
“We will start operating at the old Yong Gung location from November 22,” said the owner of Hong Yeon, Peter Lim, in an interview with the Korea Daily.
“We decided to relocate because the existing location lacks space for expansion,” Lim said. “The relocation will allow us to not only expand the restaurant but also reduce the waiting time for customers.”
Hong Yeon’s decision to relocate also presents new challenges for the restaurant. “When we were preparing for the move, we were kind of worried about the symbolism of Yong Gung,” Lim said.
“But we believe that the move will expand the customer pool and become another iconic Korean Chinese restaurant in Koreatown,” he said.
As for plans, Lee said, “We will make it a busy but relaxed restaurant,” adding, “We will showcase the flavor and cleanliness of the food, as well as prompt and friendly service.”
Former Yong Gung’s CEO Deokjung Wang also expressed his excitement about Hong Yeon’s move. Known as the “Father of Yonggung,” he opened the restaurant in 1980. He ran the restaurant for 35 years until 2015. Since then, he handed over the management of the restaurant to others while keeping the building himself.
Wang explained that he finalized a lease agreement with Hong Yeon. “I’m glad to see a Korean Chinese restaurant like Hong Yeon operating in Yong Gung’s place,” he said, ”and I’m glad that the building will continue to serve the food to customers instead of just disappearing.”
Korean-American customers are also excited about the news. “I’m glad that a Chinese restaurant as skillful as Hong Yeon will continue to operate in the old Yong Gung location,” said Kang Geon Lee.
“Yong Gung is a place where I used to meet with friends since I was a kid,” he said, ”and I’m glad to be able to go back.”
Previously, the restaurant’s space was contracted to be converted into apartments after it closed in January, but the plan fell through. Wang and Jamison Properties partnered for development, but the project was dropped due to the weak commercial real estate market.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM, HOONSIK WOO [woo.hoonsik@koreadaily.com]
