Restaurateur and chef Kwai Butler, the winner of Linn Area Credit Union’s 2023 Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year competition, recently celebrated six months in business. Chef Kwai opened Oja, a Korean-inspired restaurant, at NewBo City Market on June 1. She was awarded free rent for one year, as well as one-on-one business-development mentoring from NewBo City Market and Linn Area Credit Union.
“It’s been really crazy,” said Kwai. “Six months has gone by really fast!”
Oja is the only Korean restaurant in Cedar Rapids, and it has become a unique staple at NewBo City Market. Kwai said that Oja already has a strong customer base and a group of regulars.
“The best part (of owning the business) has been meeting new people who are Korean… or have been to Korea… or are planning to go to Korea… and hearing their stories and cultural experiences,” said Kwai.
Kwai was born in Chicago but grew up in South Korea where her mother taught English at a local university. Kwai returned to the United States after graduating high school and moved to Cedar Rapids, where her grandparents reside. She earned a culinary arts degree from Kirkwood Community College in 2018 and began working at The Class Act, the restaurant located inside the Kirkwood Hotel. While there, Kwai planned and executed the restaurant’s Seoul Passport Menu.
In 2020, Kwai was furloughed when the restaurant and hotel shut down during the pandemic, so she decided to pursue a degree in graphic design. She has been able to use her graphic design skills to create Oja’s colorful brand, social media presence, and retail space at the Market.
“My background in graphic design helps a lot when we introduce specials and new items,” said Kwai.
Since opening, Kwai has introduced items like rice pudding, side salads with persimmon, and Boba Tea to Oja’s original menu staples of bibimbap, kimbap, and bulgogi wraps. Weekly specials allow the restaurant to try out new Korean-inspired dishes, and Kwai relies on feedback from customers before adding menu options.
“It was important to start small and grow from there. That’s the most important thing and how we have approached our business,” said Kwai.
Kwai is looking to expand Oja’s menu to include sampler boxes that offer smaller versions of their most popular menu items, as well as grab-and-go bento lunch boxes. She’s also creating a catering menu that will likely debut in early 2024.
Linn Area Credit Union and NewBo City Market will partner to host the second annual Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Summit on Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23, 2024. The event will feature educational seminars and networking on Friday, as well as a guest vendor fair the following day where the finalists will sell their products and services to the public.
“We probably wouldn’t have gotten here and started our own business without winning this (competition),” said Kwai. “If you have an idea, but you don’t know how to move it forward, Emerging Entrepreneur is a great opportunity.”