Dining
BY DACIA GARCIA
Hanara Sushi & Grill builds lifelong bonds with customers
Hanara Sushi & Grill has provided a casual scene for Northwest Austin residents to get their sushi x for nearly 10 years. The hidden gem has a team of eight members who have cultivated a friendly relationship with their neighboring businesses located in The Arboretum as well as regular customers. How we got here Owner Inja Park previously lived in South Korea where she worked as a professor of fashion design but she always knew she wanted to have a career in the food industry. She moved to Austin in 2012 and began working in di erent restaurants. Park purchased the restaurant from its previous owner two years ago. “She started working here as kitchen sta and the owner was really impressed with how hard she works and he wanted to retire or open up a new restaurant,” Park’s son Woojoo Kim said. “He sold it to my mom for a really cheap price and she was like, ‘Oh this is the perfect opportunity.’” Park’s son is an artist who works at the restaurant with her and has some of his artwork displayed throughout the dining areas to add to its decor. Park said she was aiming to create a comforting atmosphere for customers to frequent despite the restaurant’s small size. “My father lived in Japan for a long time so I had both experiences in Japanese local restaurants and Korean restaurants,” Park said. “Even though they are small, they always greet the customer just like they are seeing family members and it feels like home, which I wanted to bring here.” On the menu The eatery o ers rolls, poke bowls, bento boxes, udon noodles, yakisoba and ramen. Park recommends new customers try the Austin Roll, a deep fried roll with crab, avocado, cream cheese and jalapeno; the Hallelujah Roll, a roll with spicy tuna, avocado, cucumber, burdock root and salmon on top; and the bento boxes. “Our restaurant may not be the fanciest in town but I always want our customers to know they will leave with a full belly,” Park said. What’s special about it? Kim said the business has grown close with its customers since his mother purchased the restau- rant. When asked about her goals for the business’
Pictured is the Teriyaki Chicken Bowl served with rice and steamed vegetables for $9.99 .
PHOTOS BY DACIA GARCIA COMMUNITY IMPACT
Owner Inja Park (right) purchased the restaurant from its previous owner two years ago.
Pictured are the Austin Roll for $12.99 , the Hallelujah Roll for $13.99 and the Chicken Teriyaki Bowl for $9.99 .
future, Park said she wants to continue making connections with di erent people and solidifying a community within her restaurant. “I’m really thankful for this opportunity to have this cozy restaurant and thankful to all of the other employees as well,” Park said. “I want the customers to have not just good food, but some good memories and once they become older they bring their kids back and it just continues.”
ARBORETUM BLVD.
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360
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10000 Research Blvd., Ste. 139, Austin www.hanarasushi.com
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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION
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