First of all, I would like to express my deepest condolences to those affected by the Durban riots and looting and thank you to those who are still working hard to protect the local community.
For me this week has been hard after 16 years of hard work, my na-nu-ja Photobook business was burnt to ashes. It happened so suddenly, that I couldn’t focus on anything else. Crazy Koreanwill also now face difficulties to open due to a hard-hit supply chain, no transportation for our staff – we are trying to be optimistic that we can open sometime next week – will keep you updated.
Friends and customers have asked how they can help, we humbly ask that in order to pay salaries, meet monthly costs and try and get back up and going, we are appealing for assistance. Any small amount will help us to move forward.
Someone said that the greatest hope comes when you are most desperate. I hope you have a peaceful Friday with your loved ones, even though it has been a wounded week.
We are so excited to open our Flagship Crazy Korean Take Away Shop in Durban North. To celebrate our opening, we decided to do the #Jerusalema Challenge with a distinct PSY – GANGNAM STYLE(강남스타일) Twist!”
Without much further ado – bringing you the owner Kwangjeon (KJ) Lee, front of house – Mbali Xolo, Chefs Philile Zungu and Phumla Boqwana. Thank you to guests Benni Thompson, Senta Duffield, Natasha Lee, nephews Caleb and Cole and the resident rooster. Filmed by Grant Pitcher and cellphone coverage from Yvonne Van Niekerk.
Wow this Corona-coaster has been wild! It has been so long since we have written a blog post. Now that we have moved and are about to open our new shop, this seems the perfect time.
Although this has been a super tough time for us, we choose to take away the positives.
Our journey to our new Take Away shop, was kick started when South Africa’s Lockdown was declared. In March 2020, we saw a sudden drop numbers of people dining-in, as people learnt about Covid 19.
#Stage 1 – “Take Away Menu” launched
Take Aways were a very small part of our business since 2018. Our loyal customers quickly switched to ordering our food and popped in to collect, followed shortly curbside collection and payment – We were blown away by all your support!
#Stage 2 – “Family Time“
As tough as the first 21 days of lockdown were, Kwangjeon spent quality time with the family, the boys played basketball, did laps in the garden, pushed weights, experimented with different recipes and had dinner with our tenants – the first time in years – a well deserved break from hectic restaurant life. He also used the time to “work ON his business” – and realised that it was time to switch business models and open small Take Away shops in Durban and later in other parts of the country.
#Stage 3 – “Essential Service Permit” for Level 4
With large overheads to cover, Kwangjoen quickly realised he had to keep selling – viola – “READY TO COOK” meals (an idea he had wanted to launch months earlier) became an overnight reality. We quickly made a Youtube video featuring our sons, to demonstrate how the deliciousness of Korean flavours could easily be enjoyed in the comfort of everyone’s own homes. Then Kwangjeon delivered the dishes himself, from Mt. Edgecombe all the way up to Hillcrest – he was stopped by the police on many occasions and asked for his paperwork – very strange times in deed.
#Stage 4 – “Take Aways permitted“, signed up with MrDFood
It was exciting to join the MrDFood app, our unique Korean food could now be ordered by so many more people. Kwangjeon could also stop spending so much time driving all over Durban.
#Stage 5 – “A Taste of Retail”
We were approached by a number of Spars to run a Pop Up Food Bar in store and supply our Ready to Cook Meals on an adhoc basis. We really appreciate the partnerships we are now forming…. Umhlanga Rocks Spar, Kensington SuperSpar, Avondale Spar
#Stage 6 – “Flagship Crazy Korean Take Away Shop”
We looked around for a suitable spot, in the same area, that has been our home for the last two and a half years – this was so that we could be close to our loyal customers and centrally located to reach as many people as possible. We found a great little spot at the Broadway Medical Centre, 5-7 Swapo Road. Although a little off the main road, we like that customers can pull up outside our shop without any traffic, and grab the most awesome Korean food in Southern Africa.
We are still finalising preparations, moving, painting, building a kitchen, licencing etc. We can’t wait to open and provide delicious fresh unique Korean food to you our most valued customers.
The minute all is in order, we will let you know via Facebook, Instagram and our Whatsap group messages.
Crazy Korean’s Kwangjeon Lee has been involved in some way with Africa’s Travel Indaba hosted in Durban at the ICC and Exhibition Centre, for a number of years now. He absolutely loves connecting with visiting Koreans – providing translation, tour guiding and this year for the first time accommodation at Oceans23 and Crazy Korean food.
Crazy Korean’s “KJ”, as he is known to locals – is passionate about ensuring that visiting Koreans get an accurate view of life in “ultra relaxed Durban”. If you are interested in anything Korean or do business with Korean people, feel free to call him or visit his local Durban Korean Guesthouse at 23 The Promenade, Glenashley, 4051.
Visit www.crazykorean.co.za for more information and read other interesting blog posts.
매년 5월이 다가오면 마음이 참 설렙니다. 날씨가 좋아서? 가정의 달이라서? 아니, 더반 국제회의장에서 투어 인다바가 개최되고 관련된 많은 한국분들을 만날 수 있어서랍니다.
올해 행사에 참여하신 분들은 어느해 보다도 참 열정적이여서 보기 좋았고, 짬을 이용해 재래 시장과 시내도 잠시 소개해 드릴 수 있어서 다행이었습니다. 헌데 더반에 컨셉이 뭐냐고요? 바로 힐링입니다! 파도에 쓸려 지워지는 모래 위에 글씨처럼 지친 영혼이 치유되는 그런 곳 이랄까요? 잠시 시계와 전화기를 내려놓고, 5월의 따뜻한 햇살과 함께 넓은 마음의 인도양을 옆에 끼고 걸어도 보고, 굽이굽이 수천개의 언덕들을 바라보며, 끝없이 펼쳐진 사탕수수 밭과 초원에서 숨쉬고 음미하는 마음의 고향 같은 곳 이랍니다.
워낙 일정이 빡빡해 아쉽기도 했지만, 마지막 날 그동안 심혈을 기울여 개봉한 더반 오션스23 한인 게스트하우스와 크레이지 코리안의 한국식당을 선보일 수 있어서 아주 흐믓하고 즐거웠습니다. 이곳 관련해 하고 싶은 일이나 문의가 있으면 언제든 연락주세요.
