How Many Restaurants Does Jae Lee Have?

Jae Lee Restaurants: Key Takeaways

Jae Lee owns and operates a modest portfolio of 3 restaurants all located in the United States.
The entire restaurant group consists of Nowon, a Korean-American gastropub brand with 3 casual dining locations.
Jae Lee’s restaurants do not currently hold any Michelin stars but have a strong local following due to their vibrant atmosphere and music-themed identity.
Recent expansion includes the opening of a new Nowon location in Boston in 2025, marking growth beyond New York City and Bushwick.

Chef Jae Lee is a notable figure in the contemporary Korean-American dining scene, having built a small but focused restaurant collection centered on his signature concept, Nowon.

This article explores how many restaurants Jae Lee owns, where they are located, and what defines his culinary footprint – from casual gastropubs to his recent market expansion efforts.

Jae Lee Restaurants: Global Presence and Restaurant Count

Jae Lee currently owns and operates 3 restaurants, all based in the United States. His restaurant presence is focused entirely on the East Coast with locations in New York City, Bushwick (New York), and Boston (Massachusetts).

The restaurants operate under Jae Lee’s flagship concept, Nowon, which fits into the casual dining category as Korean-American gastropubs. These venues combine vibrant music atmospheres with approachable Korean-influenced menus.

Below is a regional summary of Jae Lee’s restaurant locations:

Region	Approx. Number of Restaurants	Notable Examples
United States	3	Nowon – New York City, Bushwick, Boston
Total (Global)	3	All venues located in the United States

Note: The entire restaurant portfolio is currently licensed and owned by Jae Lee himself, with no franchises.

If you are managing a restaurant or considering expanding your hospitality team, understanding how to effectively hire restaurant staff can be crucial for maintaining high service standards and a vibrant atmosphere. Our guide on restaurant staff hiring offers practical insights that may benefit your operations.

Michelin-Starred Flagship Restaurants

As of 2025, Jae Lee’s restaurant portfolio does not include any Michelin-starred establishments.

His focus remains on providing high-quality casual dining experiences rather than pursuing Michelin recognition at this stage.

Currently, no Michelin stars have been awarded to any Jae Lee restaurants. Nevertheless, his Nowon brand enjoys a loyal following thanks to its flavorful fusion cuisine and cultural ambiance.

For those interested in the broader context of Michelin-starred venues and their statistics, our post on restaurant Michelin stars statistics provides an excellent overview.

Notable Jae Lee Restaurant Concepts and Locations

Jae Lee’s entire restaurant portfolio centers around his breakthrough concept, Nowon. This Korean-American gastropub brand emphasizes casual dining with a distinctive music and cultural vibe.

Nowon Restaurants

Nowon restaurants are casual dining establishments with a trendy vibe inspired by 1990s and early 2000s hip-hop music. The brand aims to blend Korean flavors with an upbeat social atmosphere.

There are currently three Nowon locations:

New York City, New York – This flagship location helped establish the brand’s reputation for high-quality Korean-American fusion fare paired with vibrant energy.
Bushwick, New York – A neighborhood-focused venue continuing Jae Lee’s culinary and cultural theme with local appeal.
Boston, Massachusetts – Opened in 2025 as part of recent expansion, this marked the brand’s move outside New York, introducing Nowon’s signature experience to Boston’s growing dining scene.

Price ranges for Nowon restaurants typically fall between $30 and $50 per person. The menu often features creative Korean-inspired dishes served in a gastropub format with casual seating and shareables.

Known for its lively music selection and welcoming environment, Nowon showcases Jae Lee’s dedication to blending culture with food to craft engaging dining experiences.

In casual dining, the quality of service is just as important as the food. If you’re looking for advice on managing servers effectively in a restaurant, check out our helpful post managing servers in a restaurant.

For hospitality employers aiming to improve team performance, understanding how to hire a restaurant manager can be the key to operational success. Read our expert tips on how to hire a restaurant manager for actionable guidance.

Jae Lee Restaurant Empire: Conclusion

In summary, Jae Lee currently operates 3 restaurants, all under his core Nowon brand in the U.S. While he has not yet entered the Michelin-starred fine dining arena, he has carved a niche in the casual Korean-American gastropub market.

His restaurants are focused geographically on the United States East Coast, with recent expansion into Boston signaling steady growth potential. The absence of Michelin accolades reflects a business model built around accessible, vibrant dining rather than traditional haute cuisine.

Jae Lee’s brand stands out for its cultural authenticity, musical influence, and neighborhood appeal—elements that combine to create memorable experiences for diners seeking inventive Korean-American fare.

For restaurant owners interested in strategies to reduce employee turnover, which is a challenge in casual dining establishments like Nowon, our article on reducing restaurant employee turnover shares effective approaches to build staff loyalty and decrease churn.

If you're exploring career paths or considering staffing, viewing detailed job descriptions can help you understand roles better. For instance, learn more about the restaurant manager job description to appreciate managerial responsibilities in such venues.

01. How involved is Jae Lee in day-to-day restaurant operations?

Jae Lee maintains a hands-on role in his restaurant operations, particularly focusing on culinary direction and concept development. He oversees the menu and overall guest experience at his Nowon locations.

However, day-to-day management is delegated to experienced kitchen and front-of-house teams at each venue to ensure smooth operation while allowing Lee to focus on growth and innovation.

02. Are Jae Lee’s restaurants expensive and which ones offer the best value?

Jae Lee’s Nowon restaurants fall into the casual dining price segment, typically costing between $30 and $50 per person. This price point offers a balance of quality and accessibility suitable for everyday dining.

There are no fine dining options in Lee’s portfolio at this time, so the value proposition is consistent across all Nowon locations.

03. How does Jae Lee choose new cities or countries for expansion?

Expansion decisions for Jae Lee’s restaurants appear focused on markets with vibrant urban food scenes and a demographic keen on Korean-American fusion cuisine.

The recent opening of the Boston location in 2025 reflects a strategic move to enter a major East Coast food hub with similarities to existing New York markets.

Future expansion will likely consider metropolitan areas with a strong appreciation for Asian flavors, music culture, and casual dining experiences.

04. Are Jae Lee restaurants sustainable or locally sourced?

While specific sustainability initiatives are not widely publicized, Nowon restaurants typically source ingredients seasonally and wherever possible locally.

As casual dining establishments, they prioritize fresh produce and quality meats, though there is no declared comprehensive sustainability certification or program publicly noted as of 2025.

05. Can you book Jae Lee’s restaurants online and are there loyalty programs?

Nowon locations generally accept online reservations through platforms such as OpenTable or directly via their websites, facilitating easy booking for diners.

Currently, Jae Lee’s restaurants do not have a unified loyalty program or membership system, but local promotions or repeat customer incentives may exist at individual venues.