Tiny Chef

Chuseok is a holiday where we honor our ancestors. Today I found out new information about my past. Omma told me that after I was born, my grandmother would take care of me while Omma would work. We had a strong bond and loved each other very much.

We woke up at 4am to drive a couple hours into Korea's countryside. Omma hadn't visited her own Omma in a long time. When we arrived we set up a Charye, which is an ancestral memorial ceremony, performed early in the morning on the main harvest day to honor family ancestors and express gratitude for the harvest. The new knowledge made me feel something I didn't realize I had; a remorse residing deep within my heart.

Omma looked into the distance and exclaimed, "Omma, our Hye Jin finally came back. I'm sorry it's been so long," and broke down which made me break down too. As I went to bow my head, I spoke to my grandmother for the first time. I said, "Halmony, I'm sorry it's been so long. Thank you for loving me. Please look after Omma and help her with her pain."

We also went to another place to honor Omma's father; my Haraboji. Omma's Aboji died very young, at the early age of 36. We set up the same ceremony and said our well wishes. I said the same thing to my Haraboji, asking him to look after Omma and help her with her pain.

I'm so happy to be back home with my family for Chuseok. Thanks to the amazing Tiny Crew and your support of my business, I wish to express my sincerest gratitude. I couldn't be here without y'all and I'm incredibly honored to have a place in STL.

My whole family also wishes to thank all of STL. They love y'all so much!

많은 감사의 말씀을 전합니다, 성 루이여, 사랑합니다. 소상공인을 계속 지원해 주세요. 건강하게 지내시고 잘 드세요!
(Many thank yous, I love you St Louis. Please keep supporting small businesses. Stay healthy and eat well!)

From our whole hearts,
우리 가족 (My whole family)

THIS WEEK'S SPECIALS at Tiny Chef:

KOREAN CHEESY CORN:
A side dish with a generous portion of delicious, cheesy, and mouth-watering corn makes a perfect accompaniment for your meals. This special is gluten-free and vegetarian friendly.

AND

Bulgogi Mushrooms:
A medley of Asian mushroom sautéed with Mirin and my housemade bulgogi sauce. These mushrooms are vegan friendly AND gluten-free. Add these babies to the Bibimbap, Korean Street Tacos, or get them as a side!

I'm open Thursday 5-9, Friday 5-10, Saturday 5-10, Sunday 5-9 and Monday 5-9.

So please come on in and let us cook for you this weekend. Let's all take care of one another. I love you.

❤️

This weekend's specials at Tiny Chef:

Musubi burritos are BACK!! Don't forget to add CHEESE!!!

Cheesy kimbap with spam is incredibly popular in Korea, and OMG does it taste AMAZING. It's the best with cheese!

The Musubi Burritos have your choice of fried spam or tofu, spinach, nanami togurashi, fried egg, your choice of spicy Dragon or sweet 'n savory Pixie sauce, and rice all wrapped in nori. I HIGHLY recommend adding the cheese for an upcharge to make take this burrito to a whole new level. I also have vegan cheese available. These are gluten-free and, without the egg, vegan friendly!

As usual, I have Bibimbap and Korean Street Tacos as well. So please come by and try one of everything!

My hours this week:
Thursday 5-9
Friday 5-10
Saturday 5-10
Sunday 5-9
Monday 5-9

See you soon, lovlies!

My Omma and little brother Hyunwook met me at the airport yesterday! We went home and all shared a meal. Today I got up and went to the hospital with my Omma and we both got shots. I got SO MANY shots in my wrists, arms and knees. She still doesn't know about the surprise, I'm waiting until the whole family is together so we can all surprise her!

I love you, STL. Please keep supporting my restaurant while I'm gone because I'm only here due to my amazing Tiny Crew and Tiny Chef customers. Please stay tuned for more updates on Korea and my weekly specials!

Love,
Hye Jin and Omma 💕

It's Sunday, 9/13, come by for Tiny Chef's Chili Crisp Noodles with Tteokbokki!!! Only 2 more nights for this special!!

A generous portion of Korean udon noodles and plump, chewy tteokbokki is tossed in this insanely delicious (and not too spicy!) chili crisp sauce. It gets topped with Pecorino Romano cheese (VEGAN cheese available, too), fresh chiffonade red spinach, scallions, toasted sesame seeds, and a light sprinkle of gochugaru pepper flakes.

In Korea, we love adding Kewpie mayo to our noodle dishes to take the flavors to another level of delight. Vegan mayo is also available! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND adding the above along with a beautiful sunny egg and a protein of your choice for an upcharge.

While the noodles are not gluten-free, an order of just the tteokbokki (ONLY for those who have a gluten intolerance) can be made. This way, no one has to miss out on this dish!!!

I'll also have my trusty Bibimbap and Korean Street Tacos available, so please come see us and order one of everything. We're open from 5-9pm!

See you soon, lovlies 😘

It's Friday, 9/11, and we are going Strong tonight with Tiny Chef's Chili Crisp Noodles with Tteokbokki!!!

A generous portion of Korean udon noodles and plump, chewy tteokbokki is tossed in this insanely delicious (and not too spicy!) chili crisp sauce. It gets topped with Pecorino Romano cheese (VEGAN cheese available, too), fresh chiffonade red spinach, scallions, toasted sesame seeds, and a light sprinkle of gochugaru pepper flakes.

In Korea, we love adding Kewpie mayo to our noodle dishes to take the flavors to another level of delight. Vegan mayo is also available! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND adding the above along with a beautiful sunny egg and a protein of your choice for an upcharge.

While the noodles are not gluten-free, an order of just the tteokbokki (ONLY for those who have a gluten intolerance) can be made. This way, no one has to miss out on this dish!!!

I'll also have my trusty Bibimbap and Korean Street Tacos available, so please come see us and order one of everything. We're open from 5-10pm!

See you soon, lovlies 😘

ATTN: TONIGHT IS THE LAST NIGHT FOR KOREAN CRUNCHWRAPS! DON'T MISS OUT! I also want to express my sincerest gratitude to everyone that came out last night. My Omma is going to be so surprised! My brothers and I are going to record a video of her getting the gift. I just want her to focus on her health and healing. I love you, STL 😘

Jjajjangmyeon inspired refried black beans, 3 cheese blend (vegan cheese also available), my sauteed vegan kimchi, Korean inspired pico, crispy tostada shell and more cheese! I highly recommend adding your favorite Tiny Chef protein.

This will come with a side of sour cream (housemade vegan crema also available) and your choice of my Spicy Dragon or Sweet Pixie Sauce.

I'll also have my trusty Bibimbap and Korean Street Tacos available!

It's Monday, which means FREE PINBALL TONIGHT at The Silver Ballroom! We can't WAIT to cook for you. Come early so you don't miss out!

We open at 5pm. See you soon, lovlies 😘

❤️