Dong Hyun Kim (businessman)

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Dong Hyun Kim
Korean: 김동현, 金東炫
BornMay 1973
South Korea
Occupation(s)Businessman, restauranteer
Years active2003-present
Known forFounder of restaurant chains Wasabi, Kimchee, Kimchee To Go, Pelicana, Kineya
Board member ofWasabi

Dong Hyun Kim (Korean: 김동현, 金東炫; born September 1973)[1] is a South Korean businessman and fast food restaurateur based in Canada, who founded the East Asian-inspired restaurant chains Wasabi, Kimchee, and Kimchee To Go.[2][3][4]

Early life and career[edit]

Born in 1973,[1] Kim moved to the UK in 1999.[5] After market trading in Camden, London, he founded Wasabi in 2003, opening its first shop on London's Embankment.[3] Capdesia took a minority stake in Wasabi in May 2019, and with Henry Birts appointed CEO in November 2019, Kim stepped back from active management at the business. He afterwards started the business concepts Pelicana and Kineya in London.[6] After founding the company in 2003, he stepped away from the Wasabi business in 2021, stating he would be focusing on other business interests while remaining a minority shareholder and director.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "WASABI SUSHI BENTO LIMITED - Officers (free information from Companies House)". Beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  2. ^ Joe Lutrario (13 May 2013). "Business Profile: Kimchee". Bighospitality.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  3. ^ a b Martin, Ben (15 August 2015). "Wasabi returns to profit after US expansion". Telegraph. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  4. ^ "Wasabi to open 20 more sites after £25m funding deal". Thecaterer.com. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  5. ^ "Wasabi Heads to the Big Apple - Restaurant News - QSR magazine". 25 February 2014. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Wasabi founder to step away from business", The Caterer, 11 January 2021