NAMU (est. 2006)
Namu Stonepot: 553 Divisadero Street, SF
Namu Street Food: 499 Dolores Street, SF
Namu Farm: Sunol, CA
David Lee, Co-Founder & General Manager
What made you decide to open a Korean restaurant? How did you get started?
I opened up my restaurant with my two brothers (Dennis and Daniel Lee) in 2006. We consider our food “CaliKorean.” My brother and I grew up in the restaurant business, as our mother has a restaurant in Natick, MA.
What was your biggest challenge in opening your restaurant?
One of the biggest challenges I would say was finding and deciding on the location and then having to negotiate the purchase/lease.
Were there any memorable moments in running your restaurant that you’d like to share?
Every day is a memorable day in the restaurant business. Interacting with people from all walks of life is a blessing.
Tell us about your menu and whether you have any specialty items.
NAMU Stonepot focuses on the magic of the stonepot as a vessel to elevate flavors of different dishes.. The main feature is our world famous name stonepot which is our version of dolsot bibimbap which my family has been serving for over 30 years across all their restaurants.
What motivated you to participate in the Senior Meal Delivery Program?
During this unfortunate time, we decided to reach out and help as many people that need meal assistance as possible. We were able to connect with the senior meal program through an organization called “SF New Deal.”
How have you adjusted to the challenges of running a restaurant during these difficult Coronavirus times and what are your plans for the future?
We are adjusting daily and paying close attention to the news and the ever-changing city regulations and guidelines. For now, we are focusing on keeping our team and community happy, healthy, and supported.