Noted Korean chefs bring star quality to new Nuri Grill in Dallas’ Koreatown

The owner of Smoothie King has partnered with notable Korean chefs Mini Kim and husband Ben Lee to open Nuri Grill, an interactive Korean barbecue restaurant where guests can grill their own premium meats and veggies or let a cook do it for them.

Owner Wan Kim, a former Smoothie King franchisee in Korea who later bought the company and now serves as its CEO, is the money guy behind Nuri. As consulting chefs, Kim and Lee created the menu for the 4,000-square-foot restaurant, which seats 108 people and whose menu (according to a release) includes “standout items such as the Hand-Breaded Sweet Chicken – crispy tenderloins, sweet soy sauce; Kimchi Fried Rice – stir-fried rice, kimchi, beef, fried egg; Tofu Salad – spring mix greens, arugula, sesame dressing, crispy tofu; Marinated Calbi Short Rib (Korean-style short rib); Prime Ribeye; Chateaubriand; and the Prime New York Strip.”

The release goes on to say “female Chef Minji Kim owned a renowned restaurant in Seoul, Korea that was a prominent force within the dining landscape in the area from its inception in 2007 to when it was closed in 2020 due to Kim and husband/Executive Chef Ben Lee moving to Dallas to work on Nuri Grill. Lee was Kim’s Executive Chef at her restaurant, aptly named Min’s Kitchen, where he oversaw and developed the Korean cuisine. He is most well-known for the creation of the menus and recipes that are famous in Modern Korean Fusion. Min’s Kitchen was listed in the Michelin guide for many years and was also recognized as the Michelin Plate in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Since the opening of the first location, Kim and Lee have opened four more locations which are now run by Kim’s sister. Both Lee and Kim moved to the United States in February 2020 to work for their mentor and friend (as well as past dining guest) Wan Kim, Creator of Nuri Grill and bring their 30+ years of experience to Dallas’ culinary scene.”

We’re anxious to check it out (especially this grilled cabbage with soy, honey, fennel and flowers, pictured above).

Nuri Grill (2254 Royal Ln.) debuts Tuesday, November 9 and will be open for dinner Sunday – Thursday from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. and Friday – Saturday from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.

photos: Nuri Grill/Kathy Tran