History
About Nowon
Nowon, founded by Chef Jae Lee in 2019 and named after his hometown in Seoul, South Korea, is a vibrant Korean-American gastropub with two locations in New York City—the flagship in the East Village and a second outpost in Bushwick.
Nowon offers a dynamic and memorable dining experience that blends the bold flavors of Korean cuisine with the diverse culinary influences of New York City. Chef Jae is celebrated for his creative, crowd-pleasing dishes, such as the renowned ‘Legendary’ Cheeseburger and ‘Chopped Cheese’ Rice Cakes, which have earned widespread media attention. With a lively ambiance set to nostalgic 90s and early 2000s hip-hop music, Nowon delivers an unforgettable vibe to complement its exceptional food.
Building on the success of its East Village location, Nowon expanded to Bushwick, Brooklyn in July 2023, where Chef Jae introduced signature Korean-inspired wood-fired pizzas. Nowon’s momentum continues with the April 2025 opening of its Seaport, Boston location—marking the brand’s first venture outside of New York State.
Jae’s Story
At the age of eight, Chef Jae Lee immigrated to New York City from Seoul, South Korea with his family, arriving on a travel visa in pursuit of the American dream. They settled in Queens, where in 2007, at just 18 years old, Jae began his culinary journey at a ramen shop in the East Village. It was there that he fell in love with the high-energy, fast-paced world of professional kitchens.
Over the next decade, Chef Jae honed his craft in a range of esteemed restaurants, ultimately rising to the role of Executive Chef at Momosan Ramen & Sake, followed by Hotel 50 Bowery. At 30, encouraged by his then-girlfriend (now wife), he made the bold decision to leave his position and pursue a pop-up concept rooted in his Korean-American identity.
In early 2019, Chef Jae launched Him—a six-month pop-up series named after the Korean word for "strength." Hosted in the intimate setting of Black Emperor, a bar in the East Village, the pop-up quickly earned a loyal following. Gothamist went on to praise his burger as "one of the best burgers in NYC," propelling Jae to open his first brick-and-mortar restaurant, Nowon, in the East Village.
