Chef Jae Lee is the founder and CEO of Nowon, the Korean-American restaurant brand reshaping contemporary New York dining through culture, discipline, and system-driven execution. Forged in the high-intensity kitchens of New York City and raised on the bold flavors of the Korean diaspora, Jae built Nowon through sweat equity and relentless reinvestment of profits. What began as a singular, underground-energy destination in the East Village has been scaled into a multi-unit brand, including a precedent-setting licensing partnership in Boston’s Seaport. As CEO, Jae has moved from the line to leadership. His focus is the Nowon Standard: building the systems, culture, and operators required to scale the brand across markets such as Las Vegas and Miami. Beyond the restaurant group, Jae is a devoted Catholic, husband, and father. Based in Long Island City, his leadership is grounded in a daily discipline of prayer and physical training. This framework for growth and accountability is shared with a global audience through his documentary series, The Jae Lee Show. Today, Jae’s mission is precise. He is building a legacy Korean-American restaurant brand rooted in authenticity, community, and the belief that disciplined execution is the highest form of creativity.