Category: Our Journey

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Korean Food in Durban: Crazy Korean at the KRA Cup at Greyville

What an incredible Friday night for Crazy Korean!

We were thrilled to be part of the KRA Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse in Durban. The event celebrated the long-standing relationship between South African horse racing and the Korea Racing Authority (KRA).

The theme for the evening was “All Things Korean.” Guests enjoyed K-pop, traditional Korean performances, hanbok, cultural activities and, of course, plenty of Korean food in Durban.

Lucky Fish Night Racing at Race Coast

Crazy Korean at the Korean Food Market

Crazy Korean joined the public pop-up market, where visitors could sample a variety of Korean foods.

We served some of our most popular dishes, including Sticky Chicken, Honey Garlic Ginger Wings, Mandu (Korean dumplings) and Ramen.

The response was fantastic. We had queues for most of the evening and loved seeing so many Durban locals enjoying Korean food.

The weather was perfect too, which added to the wonderful atmosphere around the racecourse.

Korean Food at The View

Crazy Korean was also invited to provide a selection of Korean dishes at The View, Greyville’s beautiful restaurant overlooking the racecourse.

Here, guests could enjoy Korean food while watching the Friday night racing.

We were also able to sit with members of the Durban Korean community, making the evening even more special for us.

Catering for the Chairman’s Lounge

Our third role was particularly exciting.

Crazy Korean provided Korean food and sashimi for special guests in the VVIP Chairman’s Lounge.

Guests included representatives from Korean racing, the Durban Korean community and other invited dignitaries.

Also attending were five young Korean jockey trainees currently based in KwaZulu-Natal. They are completing approximately two years of professional training at the South African Jockey Academy before pursuing their racing careers in Korea.

Korea Meets South Africa in Durban

This was the 17th exchange race between the Korea Racing Authority and South African racing.

Therefore, the evening represented much more than horse racing. It celebrated the growing relationship between Korea and South Africa through sport, culture, community and food.

For KJ and the Crazy Korean team, it was wonderful to see these two worlds come together right here in Durban.

Perfect weather, exciting racing, great entertainment and lots of Korean food. What a night!

If you’re looking for Korean food in Durban, come and visit Crazy Korean in Durban North.

Crazy Korean – bringing a taste of Korea to Durban. 🇰🇷❤️

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Family Friday

Family Friday Nanuja Burnt

First of all, I would like to express my deepest condolences to those affected by the Durban riots and looting. Thank you to those who continue to work 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 Korean will also now face difficulties opening due to a hard-hit supply chain and 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 for help to pay salaries, meet monthly costs and try and get back up and going. Any small amount will help us to move forward.

https://zapper.com/url/IP4gSXy0Zd

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.

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#JERUSALEMA CHALLENGE BY CRAZY KOREAN

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.

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Crazy Korean Take Away Shop in the making!

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 Takeaway shop was kick-started when South Africa’s Lockdown was declared. In March 2020, we saw a sudden drop in number of people dining in, as people learnt about Covid 19.

#Stage 1 – “Take Away Menu” launched

Takeaways were a very small part of our business since 2018. Our loyal customers quickly switched to ordering our food and popped in to collect it. This was followed shortly by 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. For the first time in years we had a well-deserved break from hectic restaurant life. He also used the time to “work ON his business.” He realised that it was time to switch business models and open small takeaway 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.

https://youtu.be/e75KVyyF6ZM

#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 Take Away Shop