For most, food is just a meal, but for Ken Park, it’s a connection, a way to bring people together. Ken recently opened Bonchon in Santa Clarita, a city far from where his journey first began.
“I grew up in the Bay Area. I’m in a family of all entrepreneurs, so I always knew that I wanted to do my own thing,” said Park.
Ken’s childhood in San Francisco shaped his love for Korean Cuisine, but his journey to Santa Clarita wasn’t about food. It was about family.
“I always knew that I wanted to move out here to raise our two beautiful daughters,” said Park.
In Santa Clarita, where Korean food options are limited, Ken saw an opportunity to share his culture.
“It’s a way to introduce people to flavors and traditions from across the Pacific. The area does have a variety of different food options,” said Park.
For Samantha Byrd, a high school student who works at Bonchon, the restaurant isn’t just a job; it’s a connection to her heritage. As she’s had Korean, she says it helps her embrace her Korean roots in a way she hadn’t before.
“Someone that is half Korean and half white, I just think it’s really cool to be able to work here because I haven’t really gotten a lot of opportunities to connect with my Korean culture,” said Byrd.
While Ken is proud of Bonchon’s success, his biggest pride is seeing his children embrace their heritage.
“My daughters could be proud that their Korean heritage is represented,” said Park.
Ken’s story reminds us that food can be more than just nourishment. It can be a cultural exchange and a way to connect families.
