New restaurant Namoo brings Korean Cuisine to Kent

Julia Park

New to the town of Kent, Namoo is a Korean barbecue and grill that offers over thirty variations of food choices. Kent’s food scene is vibrant, and with their well-known bibimbap, Namoo provides the highest quality Korean food to all their visitors, including the students of Kent school, South Kent school, and even Hotchkiss.

The name “Namoo” translates into the word “trees” and with it comes a vibrant and peaceful landscape. The owners of the restaurant, the Lee family, reveal that they opened the restaurant because they noticed that Korean food isn’t common in Kent. Sarah Lee, one of the owners, explains that she “wanted to provide Korean style cuisine for not just the Koreans who come here from overseas, but to everyone who loves Korean food.”

With 4.5 stars, the restaurant is well loved. The seating is nice and open, and service is always friendly. Most servers at the restaurant are Korean, and are able to explain the different types of dishes in detail.

Typically, the first entree to come is a bowl of salad, ac- companied by four variations of Korean banchan. Banchans are Korean appetizers that include kimchi, yellow radish, and fish cake. Namoo’s menu incorporates a lovely mix of both traditional Korean and Americanized variations of dishes. However, they are best known for their bibimbap. Made with six different vegetables and fried egg in the middle, bibimbap represents a popular and delicious Korean staple.

As the owners of a fish and seafood business in both Ban- tam and Sharen, the Lee family understands the importance of providing the freshest ingredients, and ensuring their food is top quality.

Namoo doesn’t serve just Korean food—they also offer sushi and sashimi, and provide take-out. Additionally, desserts are a can’t-miss. The restaurant offers a variety of sweet treats, including traditional Korean red bean ice cream.

Namoo restaurant adds another chapter to the various food sources at Kent. Be sure to visit, whether for some familiar Korean cuisine, or to experience new dishes.