Spoon by H: Dine-and-Dash scams force small but famous Korean restaurant to close this weekend

LOS ANGELES (KABC) – Spoon by H has been serving delicious desserts and Korean dishes for nearly a decade, but an upsurge in restaurant scams has forced the restaurant to temporarily close.

When it opened in 2012 in Los Angeles, chef and owner Yoonjin Hwang started with desserts and then expanded her menu.

Word has spread that the food is really good. From spicy Japanese beef coffee – which are glass noodles of sautéed sweet potatoes – to simple but extraordinary kimchi fried rice and crispy waffles.

“I love kimchi,” Hwang said. “I think that’s why I make so many dishes with kimchi. Like kimchi friendly rice, kimchi pasta.”

Momofuku chef and founder David Chang called Spoon by H “Restaurant of the Year” in 2018, giving the small business a shout on his massive Instagram page.

“This is why we have so much love from our community,” Hwang said.

It has been recognized by the Michelin guide. Despite the growing success, the scams forced the restaurant to announce its temporary closure, according to Hwang.

“So many disputed charges from delivery or pre-order apps … from third parties,” she said.

In some cases, people said they never received picked up orders. In another case, an order over $ 700 – the largest to date – was disputed. Although he provided photos of the order and receipt, the restaurant lost money. It has become a daily problem – a problem other restaurants are experiencing.

“I just felt, like, incredibly helpless and frustrated, and the pandemic continued and it just got worse,” Hwang said.

Saturday is the last day customers can pick up their orders. The slot machines all filled up quickly. A GoFundMe page started by a loyal customer has now raised over $ 60,000. So Hwang is not closing the door to a new beginning.

“I don’t know exactly when or how, but you know, I really hope that someday I’ll be able to give all the love back to our community, to our loyal customers,” she said.

She urges people not to take advantage of small businesses and support them in difficult times.

“We need your help,” she said. “More than ever.”