Over the past ten years, restaurateurs Junghyun “JP” and Ellia Park have cemented themselves as central figures in the evolution of New York City’s dining scene. Through their umbrella group Na:Eun Hospitality, the couple has introduced diners to distinct facets of Korean culinary culture, ranging from casual neighborhood spots to globally recognized fine dining tasting counters.
In July, the Parks marked a major milestone by celebrating the tenth anniversary of Atoboy, the groundbreaking Korean restaurant they opened in 2016. The celebration brought together roughly 300 guests for an event at Radio Park featuring culinary collaborations with prominent international and local Korean chefs, including Dongsik Ok, Hoyoung Kim, Taesung Kim, and Yongwook Yoo. The evening also highlighted a partnership with Nongshim to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Shin Ramyun, which JP Park described as an iconic product that helped introduce Korean food culture to a global audience.
The hospitality group’s portfolio has grown substantially since Atoboy’s debut. In 2018, the Parks opened Atomix, a fine-dining tasting counter in NoMad that has earned two Michelin stars and three stars from . Atomix has also achieved notable international recognition, ranking No. 12 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and No. 7 on North America’s 50 Best. Beyond Atoboy and Atomix, the couple operates Naro in Rockefeller Center and oversees culinary direction in partnership with Hand Hospitality at Seoul Salon.
Most recently, the Parks teamed up with their longtime director of operations, Ahris Kim, to launch Somssi in June. Located at 79 MacDougal Street, the 50-seat bistro serves as Kim’s first restaurant as an owner and presents American food through a distinct Korean lens. Reflecting on the venture, JP Park noted that the team had witnessed Kim’s leadership and passion since the early days of Atoboy and welcomed the opportunity to support her transition to restaurant ownership.
In addition to their commercial ventures, the Parks launched Nanro USA this year as the American branch of the Nanro Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and expanding Korean food culture. The initiative brings U.S.-based chefs to South Korea to explore traditional markets, engage with local farmers and artisans, and experience renowned dining establishments firsthand. According to JP Park, the long-term vision of the program is to foster a deeper, authentic appreciation among chefs who may one day lead influential American kitchens, thereby broadening the understanding of Korean cuisine across the United States.
Reflecting on a decade of operating in New York, JP Park acknowledged that while flavors, interior designs, and pricing have shifted over the years, the core mission has remained unchanged: introducing Korean dining from fresh perspectives and creating memorable experiences for guests. At the same time, he pointed out that New York has become an increasingly challenging environment for culinary experimentation due to the high financial costs of running a restaurant, expressing hope that future conditions will allow younger chefs greater freedom to take risks and explore original ideas.
