After 3 years, a well-loved Korean restaurant will close in Kansas City
Chingu, a Westport restaurant that set out to “push the boundaries of what people know about Korean cuisine,” will close for good after service Saturday, May 24.
The decision was “one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make — but also one I know is necessary,” chef-owner KeeYoung Kim told The Star on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s no secret that the restaurant industry is incredibly tough, and we went in with eyes wide open and ready,” Kim said. “Certain things we could control, and we did so exceptionally as a team, but factors largely beyond our control from the start until now, we could not ignore.”
Kim is also the recent parent of a baby boy. “As a new father, I’ve learned the hard way the importance of prioritizing my mental and physical health and being present for my family. Stepping away from operating the restaurant will allow me the space to do that.”
Kim opened Chingu with business partner David Son in late 2022 at 4117 Pennsylvania Ave. The pair had previously run Sura Eats, a pop-up and later a food stall at Parlor food hall in the Crossroads.
Chingu, which means “friend” in Korean, was their first brick-and-mortar spot. It served a menu inspired by what Kim described as three Korean elements: street food, sit-down barbecue and mom’s home cooking. Dishes included pajeon (a savory pancake), mandu bokkem (pork dumplings with veggies and gochujang-garlic sauce), kimchi fries and Korean fried chicken.
Last year, Kim and Son also teamed up with Mean Mule Distilling Co. to create their own soju — a Korean spirit. That is still a going concern, as is Chingu Coffee Co., Chingu’s sister coffee shop at 1201 W. 47th St. in the West Plaza, where Kim said to expect “even more food offerings soon.”
“I’m proud that Chingu helped introduce Korean food and culture to more people across the city,” Kim said. “Whether through our dishes, drinks or the stories we shared around the table, it’s been an honor to be part of this growing food scene.”
