This is an interview series about friends of The Grocery. To revisit the last interview with Caroline Choe, click here.
I’m a lucky girl, surrounded by friends who nurture people through food, culture, and just a good time. BTW, Happy New Year everyone. Still celebrating? Doesn’t matter, head over to Orion Bar in Bushwick for Korean-American fare, SOJU, and said good time. Love you Irene.
Hello! I'm Irene, I'm the chef and co-owner at Orion Bar, a Korean and American drinking spot in Bushwick, as well as the creator behind Yooeating, where I develop recipes and make videos about Korean food, fermentation, drinking, travel, and more. You can find my work featured on Bon Appetit, Food52, and Food Network!
What's been your favorite purchase so far this year? Why?
Haha the thing that brings me the most joy on a regular basis is this teeny tiny box cutter I bought through Yuns Hardware, a fellow female Korean-owned business. I keep it on my work keychain and use it every day to open the many packages we receive at home and at the bar.
Cutting in here, I want everything at Yuns Hardware, look at these scissors 🥕
What do you like to wear? Why?
Being a former Cali girl, I love love jeans, but lately I've been also loving a lot more looser fit pants, especially these hanbok-style pants I got the last time I was in Korea. Comfort is key, and a good pair of pants is essential.
What is a current project you’re working on?
I'm working on finishing my cookbook, called Soju Party which is slated to be published in fall of 2025. We're in the design phase now so it's so exciting to see my words and recipes start to take shape!
What does your day look like?
My day usually starts by being woken up by our infant and trying to get him to sleep in as much as possible before I wake up to feed him or play with him. Since we work nights (my husband is also the co-owner of the bar), we're able to spend our days with our baby; sometimes we'll take him out for a late lunch.
Otherwise, if I'm working I'll get to the bar around 3 or 4pm to get ready for service and open, and will be there until about 9-11pm. I'll come home, put the baby to bed if he's still awake, and usually be up decompressing or doing some light work until about 1 or 2am when my husband comes home from the bar.
On days off, I'll try to meet up with my sister (Carolyn Yoo, @caromakes) who also lives in Brooklyn, hang out with some friends, connect with a colleague, or run errands!
What is the best thing about what you do?
I love having a permanent space where people can gather and enjoy Korean-style drinking and drinking food. It's so cool to reconnect with friends from my past who come to visit, or meet new people who are really excited about us opening in the neighborhood. I'm so grateful to have so many opportunities to share my personal Korean American culture and story.
Where can we find/follow you?
Find me on Instagram at @yooeating, or @orionbarbk, and on YouTube at @ka.ka.studio! And, come visit us at Orion Bar Wednesdays-Sundays!
All photos property of Irene Yoo unless otherwise credited.