Profile | Michelin-star Korean-American steakhouse Cote’s creator, Simon Kim, on being ‘authentically you’ as he prepares to open its first outpost in Asia, in Singapore
- Simon Kim grew up in Korea but moved in his teens to New York, where he didn’t fit in. He trained as a chef and opened an Italian restaurant, but it wasn’t him
- He embraced his identity, opened Korean-American steakhouse Cote and saw it earn Michelin stars in New York, then Miami. Now Cote is opening in Singapore
Speaking with Korean-American restaurateur Simon Kim brings to mind Lao Tzu’s famous line from the poem Dao De Jing: “The highest form of goodness is like water.”
“The restaurant business is about people. And people first,” the founder of Korean-American steakhouse Cote, whose New York and Miami outlets each have one Michelin star, explains.
“Whether it’s the landlord or a billionaire, we want to meet and talk to everyone with respect.”
We are meeting in one of Singapore’s newest hotel rooms at the Como Metropolitan Singapore. In November, Cote Singapore will open a few floors down. It is Kim’s first endeavour in Asia and he is here to prepare for its launch.
“I got a phone call from Jean-Georges Vongerichten. I had worked for him previously and he said he found a great partner in [luxury hotelier] Christina Ong in Singapore. The next thing I knew, I was getting a flight here.”
Kim is particular about where Cote opens. The few times he has been to Singapore, its diverse culture and high-quality food options have impressed him, and prompted him to try to learn more each time, he says.
