How Korean Immigrants Built the Best Restaurant in America

Sep 10 At a moment when the country is fiercely debating who gets to come, stay, and belong, the rise of New York’s Atomix holds special resonance. Ellia and Junghyun “JP” Park came to New York from South Korea with an ambition: to put the food of their country on one of the world’s biggest culinary stages. In 2018, they opened Atomix. Seven years and two Michelin stars later, Atomix was named No. 1 on the inaugural North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list. (And by the time we spoke, the Parks had another new arrival to celebrate: their first child, just a few weeks old). There is something particularly resonant about that rise now—and about Atomix becoming Food Chain’s first stop in the United States. At a moment when the country is fiercely debating who gets to come, stay, and belong, one of its most celebrated restaurants is the work of two immigrants who built their success around the food of where they came from. “Of course, it means a great deal to us,” says Park. “Ellia and I came to New York from Korea, and when we started, we never imagined Atomix would receive this kind of recognition—especially when immigration is such an important and complicated conversation in America right now.” But Park doesn’t see it simply as an achievement for one restaurant. “I hope Atomix can be one small example of how a very specific cultural point of view can connect with people from completely different backgrounds.” Continue reading Access this and all our other premium articles by joining our membership program. Plans start at $6.50 per month and include twice-weekly digital features, access to in-person events, and more. Northern Italy CDMX Sri Lanka All Trips Up Next On Gran Canaria, a Winemaker Gets an Assist