About Us
Meet the Team
We have the best of the best on our team.
Learn a little bit more about the ones that make the magic happen.
bryan emperor
EXECUTIVE CHEF
Originally in the finance industry, Emperor fell in love with washoku during his undergraduate years, ultimately leading him to pursue his culinary passion. He honed his craft through intensive training in New York City, Beijing, and Tokyo, where he trained at esteemed Korean restaurant Bishamon. Bringing more than 25 years of culinary experience, Emperor has garnered countless accolades for perfecting his craft, including a third-place finish in the Eat-Japan Sushi Awards 2008, followed by an apprenticeship under Chef Yoshihiro Murata in Kyoto. In 2011, Emperor’s Charlotte restaurant KALU was honored by Esquire Magazine as one of the year’s “Best New Restaurants in America” and he was recognized by Food & Wine Magazine as the Southeastern “People’s Choice Best New Chef.”
Yeon-Hee Chung
CONSULTING CHEF
Yeon-Hee was originally born in South Korea and moved to Louisville in 1996. Previously, she ran Louisville’s beloved Korean restaurant, Charim, which earned rave reviews for her traditional cuisine. Her love and wisdom for the heritage of Korean fermentation techniques and jangs are seen on every aspect of the menu at Nami.
She is not an avid karaoke singer but she will sing one of her favorite songs, “Everyone” by Yoon Bok Hee.