i'm opening a pop-up restaurant in LA (it SOLD OUT in 18min 😳)

it's episode 3 of the vlog, and it's packed with goodies (also i film all this sh*t in 4K so y'all better turn that upppp). i have dinner at one of my favorite sushi spots in LA, an impromptu conversation with Celebrity Chef Shota Nakajima, and 2 nights of service at Budonoki, named one of LA's "Most Fun Dinner Spots" by Infatuation (1/12/24).
in addition, i SOLD OUT my first pop-up of 2024! i'm doing a collaboartion pop-up dinner with Budonoki on Jan. 28 & 29th, and we sold out on reservations in 18 min 😵‍💫 🫶 Limited walk-ins for bar seating are available on both nights!
special thanks to the whole team at Budonoki, the whole Shoku LA team (i'll prob stage with them soon), and Chef Shota for making this episode a fun one :)
- h
Resy Link for my Budonoki Pop-Up | resy.com/cities/la/venues/bud...
Budonoki's IG | / budonokila
Shoku LA's IG | / shoku.la
Chef Shota's IG | / chefshota
________________________________________________
CHAPTERS
00:00 - 00:45 - intro to Budonoki
00:46 - 03:34 - recipe testing
03:35 - 06:19 - filming at Budonoki
06:20 - 10:30 - sushi with Shoku LA
10:31 - 11:16 - the wknd plans
11:17 - 17:22 - Chef Shota's TED Talk
17:23 - 23:09 - day 1 at Budonoki
23:10 - 26:56 - day 2 at Budonoki
26:57 - 29:51 - "otsukaresama desu"
29:52 - 32:56 - recap
________________________________________________
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Instagram | / hwoo.lee
TikTok | / hwoo.lee
Facebook | / hwoo.lee.fb
X | / hwoo_lee

[@patrickjames07]

As a chef I appreciate how you acknowledge and respect the people who work in the restaurant industry. There's a lot of food content creators that think they can handle working in a professional kitchen because they enjoy cooking. Good on you for paying your dues. I think you've found the perfect balance of expanding your knowledge through stages while still doing content creation to pay the bills. Keep it up.

[@SuperGGLOL]

Yeah H woo is a genuine dude. just loves cooking and isnt afraid to share his feelings about it to the world. Confident.

[@yourstrulymanuna]

Thats the first thing i noticed and i love watching his cooking show i learn a lot from him besides i learn from kitchen

[@hwoo.lee]

🫶 i appreciate this comment more than you know! one of my "side-goals" for this series is to hopefully encourage people to treat industry workers with a bit more respect and humanize them. gonna keep this series up and i'm honored by your comment 🙇🏻‍♂️

[@dabrabates]

Right! I do respect that as well as fellow Chef and appreciate it

[@netanelmorali4243]

Please put out the full Shota interview. That man is pure gold. Love these vlogs it really shows how humbling a restaurant kitchen can be and just how much dedication it takes.

[@theeditaesthetic]

for someone who never vlogs to go straight to posting 4k quality, well-edited ones is really impressive! super hyped that you've switched up the content, can't wait to see whats next :D

[@babyjki444]

fr hes a freaking unicorn

[@hwoo.lee]

🥹🖤 thank you so so much, can’t wait to show y’all what’s next

[@TierraD2021]

As someone who's been working in F&B/hospitality for the past decade, I appreciate the insight that Chef Shota provided so much. It's reassuring and heartwarming to know that there are people like him out there who is trying to influence the industry to be less exploitative and more sustainable for the people in it. I can't explain how lovely it was to hear that the joy he received from serving people is his motivation, and though you didn't say as much here, I subscribed because you've shown the same thing in your past videos. Love everything about this vlog. May all your future endeavors reflect your passion and values, as well as bring you fulfillment! On a linguistic side note, お疲れ様 (さま) is literally the word "疲れ" - tiredness, with the respectful prefix o- and suffix -sama, used to express appreciation for someone's effort like the Budōnoki's staff explained. To translate naturally, it's more likely similar to the Korean phrase 수고했어요, which in English would just be: "You've worked hard." The thanking and appreciation is culturally implied, but not explicitly verbalized. But you going 어떻게さま while trying to repeat them had me wheezing 😂😂😂

[@saudigold50]

Beautifully stated.

[@hwoo.lee]

🫶 i appreciate you! and i shared this comment with Shota and he loved it 🥹 i hope to find more industry leaders like Shota and bring them onto this vlog series. and i love that linguistics tip! 수고했어요 is more my speed haha, so that makes a lot of sense thank you! (i went home and practiced saying it too lmaooo)

[@tomasnguyen7209]

Shota was so natural on camera and I can see how Nahum can be good teacher - he seems so sweet! Keep training your heat resistance and soon you'll be invincible lol I absolutely love this style of content as It inspires me to become a better home-cook and absolutely makes we want to try your dishes... I hope I can eat at one of your future restaurants one day. Greetings from Germany!

[@hwoo.lee]

The burn calluses are coming 😤 but yes, every guest on this vlog episode is so special to me! so glad to hear you love this content, I love making this content and i'm humbled that it inspires you. hope that everyone who supports my channel gets to try my food one day 🫶

[@benjirosenblum7776]

Absolutely love the vlog right now! The interview with Shota was amazing, the footage from service was fantastic, and everything lends itself really well to what feels like a very full picture of the restaurant industry, or at least your experience with it right now.

[@hwoo.lee]

i’m so happy to read these comments! Thank you!

[@pablolopezsanchez5826]

The interviews are gold, its a good balance between how a professional kitchen works, how you are growing towards your goals and the human touch with the interviews and the recaps are great. It makes us know why it was fun but also what was the purpose of the vlog. So yeah, honestly, great balance, extremely enjoyable :)

[@hwoo.lee]

shall try my best to continue this 🖤

[@paul_g7932]

love the new long style of videos instead of shorts. you can tell you enjoy it a lot more as so could we. keep it up!!!

[@boxtopcreates]

I loved everything in the video. It was refreshing to see the restaurants you eat at, the interview with Shota, and the service at Budonoki. I hope to see more of all of them in the future

[@tashatoddman7492]

love love love these vlogs and how you film & edit them. they feel so chill, yet dynamic and are just so interesting to me

[@hwoo.lee]

in a way, i think the vlogs and how I edit them are a translation of how my brain works. i think with every vlog i feel a bit more "myself" in how i edit. anyway thank you so much for watching, supporting, commenting!!!! 🖤

[@peaduh]

My absolute fave youtube channel, this journey feels so genuine and im grateful youre sharing it with all of us.

[@RandomPerson1]

So proud of you and everything you're achieving! Appreciate you taking us along on this beautiful journey. Love the peoplw youre around; they all seem like great souls.

[@jessicad57]

the go pro footage was amazing, i love everything about your videos and the journey you're on and i can't wait to see more!

[@vidurchanna8144]

Your content is extremely inspirational and executed to such a high quality, it feels like you're going to be a mainstay in the scene for a long time to come and are going to do great things. Chef Shota's TED talk was also crazy insightful and deep!

[@hwoo.lee]

I’m incredibly honored 🥹 hopefully my content only gets better and better. Honestly, I’m looking to make “timeless” content as well. Like being able to watch this in 10 years and still be entertained to a degree

[@shutchison2000]

I loved it all and the varied content is awesome. The chefs table” interlude with dramatic strings was so relaxing and fun (and sensory)! I’m trying to imagine the editing hours 😵‍💫). Would love more Ted talks. And holy crap the go pro behind the scenes content sure gives perspective on the complexity of the workings of a kitchen!😮 Thank you for the awesome half hour

[@Sxvvyredd]

Proud of you , watching your journey through this vlog has inspired me to cook and I love watching the energy of the restaurants and your co-workers it’s just so uplifting I love it, thank you so much 🙏🏻

[@rhuspimentel]

So fun to watch! Waiting for the pop up video ❤

[@ck-bp9ny]

Chef Shota's description of the gap period was really helpful and relieving to hear in this part of my life. Thank you for making these vlogs! They are so fascinating and inspiring. Love the content you've put out!

[@adj2082]

keep doing it at all, these videos are incredibly informative! Your passion for food speaks volumes and inspires me immensely! Keep it up!

[@8282yeah]

love all these behind the scenes and real talks with real people. these videos must take a lot in addition to all the new endeavors. glad to see you're taking care of yourself and trying out all these new things!!

[@AznGurl87]

This was worth waiting for, to see your journey on learning different things in restaurants and getting as much knowledge from the other people in the kitchen is inspiring. Chef Shota is one of my favorite chefs I discovered (even before Top Chef) so that was awesome to see you both talk about both of your journeys and love when he said what is the "Why" to do something in what you want to do besides "just cooking". You're literally an inspiration and I want to say thank you for sharing your experiences with us all. I cannot wait to see what's the next experiences you'll share with us ❤

[@Twurtlez98]

these videos are special. love them so much, keep em coming !!

[@GabrielEvans]

These vlogs are getting better and better every time you post. Loved the interview with Shota and love that he respects you to such a high degree given his stature in the industry. keep up the amazing work man.

[@INFIDI22]

I’ve loved this series. Loved the interview with shota. Love prep and small explanations you do but I find I pause to read or have to rewind to catch some of it because I want to listen to kitchen talk or the chef’s explanation and you just go into more detail with your captions. Keep it up man! This is amazing. Love love love watching this.

[@Xenorous_]

This whole episode was so great! Amazing conversations, insights and immaculate vibes! The tip about what sort of knife to use with the butter was so simple but shows how much you can learn from people that can see you want to improve. Nahum was so lovely!

[@miloyoga]

Loved this blog sm! So interesting to see all the different stations and to hear your conversation with friends! Thank you for sharing

[@LEYOPOLD]

So great that you share this with us. It’s great insights and a joy to follow your journey.

[@Chef_Brown]

Bro. Thanks for posting that interview with Shota. He's been a chef that I've always respected and have followed for awhile. The conversation about "The Why?" And "The Gap" gave me a wake up call. Respect the content you create and the path you're following 👊

[@walkerl7485]

seriously loving these vlogs man these are so inspiring. I'm also a creative artist in my 20's trying to make it work and I've dabbled in short form stuff too. It really makes me excited to see you pushing, bettering yourself and learning. And to see what amazing teachers and experiences you have along the way. movin on up.

[@aggelw23]

You are doing so great, you as human being are very enjoyable and have something heart warming and inspiring ❤ The talk with Shota was great content and also the staging and the restaurant visit. Keep it up!

[@rhythmrecall]

Loved Chef Shota’s wisdom, loved the restaurant excursion, loved the GoPro - loved the video and your humility! Can’t wait to see more from you. You’re one of my favorite channels to watch nowadays!

[@Grampeh]

Loved it all! A full video of the talk with shoto would be great, very inspiring!

[@Shiimal.e]

Love this vlog and the interview it was sooo in spiring🎉 looking forward to see more content like this😊😊

[@tashatoddman7492]

congrats on this step of your journey and experience, will continue wishing you the utter best

[@lvl-lvl]

rooting for you! this content rocks, watching your journey is so inspiring.

[@doncartagena7]

Love these vlogs. Happy to watch you on your journey

[@patrick.lin.]

I'm in love with your videos! Keep it going as always, you deserve every bit of success!

[@johnkennes]

Great -- would love to see more of Chef Shota's TED Talk!

[@hwoo.lee]

i shall figure out an extended TED Talk with Shota for another episode 😤

[@johnkennes]

Wonderful!@@hwoo.lee

[@quincyhirt8491]

These keep getting better and better, love the vlogs and all the content in them

[@wanderlustgrace]

Been sharing your new series with all my friends - those who've been in the industry and those who just love interesting content. The longer episodes are very satisfying and enriching. Keep up trusting and enjoying the process of your unique journey.

[@cindywang2948]

I’ve been loving your long form content!

[@charlesm835]

Love these vlogs, so genuine 😆other then GoPro angle filming is on point.

[@auroranuridonbem2341]

thanks for sharing - love watching your journey - listening to Shota was interesting, nice vibe. Keeping it real without too much pretention, lovely to see - god those knives !!

[@user-kx7hh9bz9g]

I absolutely love the go-pro angle and then especially how you explained it and narrate it. It’s just a little window into a professional kitchen. Really Interesting.

[@DarkFalconTBA06]

I really like these videos, it gives me a newfound respect for chefs and insight into how restaurants really work.

[@hamthehottie]

these vlogs feel special to me, idk i can relate to going through a transitional period and just focusing on the grind. i can't wait to see more, u seem so focused on leveling up i love it

[@hwoo.lee]

in a beautiful way, I feel the loneliest I’ve ever been in my life right now… and this journey is both difficult and exciting. glad you relate to the grind 🫶

[@mushiterebi]

H, I'm sure creating your video shorts as well as these long-form vlog videos are painstakingly hard with so much of your time invested. The shorts are entertaining to watch, and at the same time, I'm so glad you're working on these vlog(s) outside of your busy schedule because they are not only insightful but truly honest. As a viewer, audience, and a fan - I'm very appreciative of what feels like your genuine self in these videos and I'm sure that is what myself and the rest of the audience feel and love about you and your videos! So happy to be following your journey, reminding us that we're always a student in life, and that finding our passions, joy, fulfillment comes from facing our fears, 'trying', experimenting, staying open, and learning from failures. Thanks

[@TheEricBach22]

Really cool series. I like living vicariously through you, you're on a path I'd always wished I'd explored! Love Go Pro service footage.

[@JalapenoDNA]

I don’t normally enjoy vlogs all that much but yours are so much fun to watch.

[@hpongpong]

Your videos are so inspirational and this one is no exception. Pls keep it up.

[@fletchermilestone3]

Watching every video all the way from Australia. I dont watch any other youtube personalities so shows just how good your content is. Thanks for your hard work.

[@dougjones2065]

Love the kitchen footage. Behind the scenes is where it’s at, keep it up!

[@harrisonlucas3740]

The video was sick! Just getting into restaurants myself and it’s really valuable to see you working at such a high level. Super inspiring!

[@alexpaulk9386]

Enjoying the human elements of you and chef Shota is why a relationship to a restaurant is more than the plate. I will go to his spots because he is genuine. Such a great experience watching this.

[@saturnaut]

You are killing it man. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@zoedecantelo3013]

Love this new series- really love seeing what you learn- we dont all get to stage but seeing how it works and how valuable it is, is so interesting to me. In another life (maybe later on;)) i definitely would have been a chef

[@babyjki444]

i love the feedback they give you. its so real and actually constructive without being discouraging OR sugarcoating. love love it.

[@nikkojones1197]

We need more of everything H!!!!

[@deneet]

LOVING THE VIDEOS B) especially the povs in the kitchen!

[@danielj6387]

Loved everything in this vlog! Would also love seeing you plan/prep/cook for one of your dinner parties at home.

[@hwoo.lee]

i will definitely plan one of these "how-to" do a dinner party at home. when? idk tbh hahah 😅

[@zachstrub8467]

The insight from Chef Shota was great! Love the videos

[@sherwinmoodley7442]

Loving these vlogs...Never been so motivated so do my own popup! Hope the long form content keeps coming!

[@bingbong740]

this series is actually amazing to watch

[@brandoutmusic]

Honestly for feedback, I say keep doing what you're doing in terms of style of the vid! I love how unfiltered and troll, yet informative the vids and the editing is. Never been interested in following someone's journey like this til you started this series, so great job and keep it up man! 🤩🤩

[@prismosworld]

you’re talks with the chefs is the best shit to see. just watching what they say and the advice or knowledge they give is always inspiring. and seeing how the kitchens work and flow brings me joy. it’s the little details that make me feel like i’m there too and we just wanna see all the food!!!

[@hwoo.lee]

thank you!!!! And yes I totally realized that I don’t really showcase Budonoki’s food because I’m like in the kitchen haha.

[@smallMarsh]

I love the POV shots with the little text commentary about what your doing and whats going on. would love to see more POV stuff in future vlogs

[@chicagolifetv]

My favorite Asian KZbinr keep up the great work love your videos 💙

[@TheStick96]

Thank you for being tired. So humble but doing big things, great content mate!

[@OffTheWallJosh]

Seeing you grow is honestly eye opening, I personally am working hard myself to further my career and hope to eventually host my own pop ups.

[@mimeetube]

I resonated soooo deeply with your friend Shota’s take on “Gap Period”!! As a 22 y/o creative those were the perfect words I’ve been searching for to define this period of loneliness/alone time spent honing in on my creative pursuits as well as the new wave of personhood I’m carving - thank you for sharing his words on that!!!

[@shawnhampton8503]

I love it when you get philosophical and existential. Solitude is a key component to a well-lived life, imo. As Ru Paul says: "If you can't love yourself, how you ever gonna love anybody else." Love these vlogs so much. Shota is just light. Pure light.

[@FlaminBeast]

You're doing so well, and so much! Would love to see more of Shota too, but pace yourself how you need to. Blessings🌻

[@hwoo.lee]

thank you!!! i'll plan a visit to Shota's restaurants in Seattle and do a full vlog with him 🫡

[@leongyihaw5178]

It’s inspiring to see what happens inside a kitchen and how hard chefs work for us to enjoy our food. Thank you H

[@Dumpsterfirez]

love that your doing super long vids and vlogs. would love to see in depth techniques and recipes as well. honestly, i prefer a stationary camera style compared to the go pro. but whatever works for you man, ill keep watching regardless lol.

[@noachung2873]

Since last June till now I have been working at a restaurant. I care deeply about what I do and how I do it but the learning never stops. The forgetting and fuck ups also never stop. Many areas in the job are still yet to be experienced but I am worrying and wondering all the time. I thank you for discussing topics that give me at least a sense of ease that change can be made. I am 23 and constantly feel self doubt with what people put in my head, or imposter syndrome but seeing you learn rekindles the flame to keep going and do better. I am also inspired to not just be a follower of food but to break down and relearn strong foundation so that I can create something that speaks to who I am. Maybe one day I could stand out amongst such amazing chefs. Thankyou h woo.

[@bernatfortet5604]

Man... hearing about otsukaresama desu made me teary eye. I really appreciate seeing all the hard work and love that goes into great food. Such an inspiration. otsukaresama desu!

[@breeze247]

Food and ambiance was amazing!!! Service was exceptional too! You were so busy, chef!!

[@hwoo.lee]

Thank you so much for coming!!!!!

[@livmuirwilson8674]

I've been following you for 3 years and sooo gutted I'm UK-based. Coming on my honeymoon to LA in August so can't wait to see if you've got any pop-ups going then!

[@Nahkiri]

please release the full shota interview because the small amount of insight into that beautiful man's brain is truly enlightening

[@akmedia7036]

One of my favorite videos to date

[@amandalane8055]

Soo good again! Love it all ❤

[@soysaucelowsalt6953]

Amazing video as always ❤

[@Prince_T3S]

Thank you for the Shota TED talk, truly what I needed today.

[@Prince_T3S]

I'm gonna need the other 80% of the footage with him in it

[@stevenkim5160]

im a college student who enjoys cooking. i self taught myself to the point where my friends say i should go to culinary school. i still have a lot to learn, but cooking is therapeutic and seeing ur videos is a true inspiration for me. the true joy seeing you cook and serve people is the same way i feel when i am cooking. im so excited for the pop up and hopefully i get to see you.

[@hwoo.lee]

love love love to hear this!

[@andrewfisher3138]

please never stop these

[@MrWhatev4r]

another great vlog!! love watching this kind of content where it has a bit of everything in it but I can imagine the time it takes to edit something like this must be a lot so thank you for that! If I had to make a suggestion, it would be to invest in a mic for yourself and also for one on one interviews. Regardless, great content as always.

[@vienrosburg2049]

Hey bro I just wanted to say congrats on the journey. I worked in the kitchens for the majority of my young adult life and now I'm in school for nursing but watching you cook makes me want to go Stage right now!! Inspirational bro keep it up!

[@sydneyallgeier8958]

I think everyone will agree that we love seeing it all!! Keep up the incredible work!

[@lifeofdrew3182]

Loving the ted talk! In the same phase were I’m I’m just focusing on my peace, comfort and goals definitely gets a lil lonely nut it’ll be worth it😌

[@natephan27]

looking forward to Sunday! I was lucky enough to get one of the last reservations before selling out😮‍💨

[@m_sr406]

more to everything in this vlog!!

[@penelopepalm]

I would definitely be there if I was in the area. So happy for your success.

[@thanh-hiennguyen3270]

amazing content dude, very inspiring. keep it up

[@ommban]

the qual on this vid is crazy. congrats bro you are fuckin killin the YT game!! keep these long form vids coming

[@BobbySee2]

Love your content. Keep it up!

[@Charlie_8rown]

Keep it up bro, you are far from an imposter. Love watching you in these restaurant's kitchens doing you thing. If you ever come to SF and do something I would totally come.

[@jasondai]

. I like every part of your vlogs (except for the chef's table edit; I can't stand the music 😵‍💫). Really enjoyed the interview with Chef Shota as well as you showing the BTS of staging at Shota. Please continue to document your journey H Woo 🖤

[@ThatApronGuy1]

So intimidating being dropped into the deep end of a high level restaurant. Hard to not be in the way and continue being a helpful member of the team. Plus it take so much concentration running even one konro box, let alone multiple with different heat levels to maintain. Great mentors and looking forward to a cute chef Shots collab. I want to see more!

[@gabriel_stewart]

I’ve been enjoying your content for a few months now. I look to different KZbinrs to cover different styles of cooking and cuisines and you are my go to for fine dining and Asian cuisine. I much prefer long form videos over shorts as we can see things in much greater detail. One thing I would say is your captions move too quickly. I often have to rewind to digest a shot and read the subtitles, but otherwise a very good watch as always.

The pov part during the service is great to see how a top notch kit jen works. ✌🏼🔥