HUMANS WE HEART: KEEGAN FONG, CHEF AND OWNER OF WOON KITCHEN

What’s cooking? We caught up with LA-based chef and restauranter Keegan Fong and chatted about everything, from his favorite local spots to how he turned his side hustle into a full-time gig.

Hi Keegan! Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m the owner of Woon, a homestyle Chinese restaurant inspired by the recipes of my mom (aka Mama Fong).

Mind if we ask a few getting-to-know-you questions?

GO-TO OUTFIT: I’m a very simple, minimal person. My go-to’s are these workwear pants. They’re durable and have a good fit. So a solid basic tee, a Woon cap and Blundstones, Vans,or Nikes.

PODCASTS/PLAYLISTS IN YOUR EARBUDS: We have a playlist for the restaurant called Noon to Woonlight that’s pretty eclectic. In terms of podcasts, I listen to David Chang’s religiously—I can relate to him.

FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTS: El Prado, which is my friend Nick’s bar. It has a lot of history and charm with one of the best natural wine selections. Also, Elysian Park is just a great solace within LA and has beautiful views all over.

DREAM MEAL: Comfort food. Something that I find myself missing if I’m away from home for a long time is my mom’s food. Her Shanghainese soup, noodles, pork belly, tofu fishcakes—anything that’s nostalgic for me.

How did you come up with the concept for Woon Kitchen?
I was working full-time in marketing and needed something to invest my time in that felt more authentic to me. I had a loose business plan when an opportunity came up at my uncle’s antique showroom. He was hosting a craft fair and looking for food vendors. So, I turned that business plan into a real-life pop-up, and we sold out that weekend. Eventually, I was able to open a brick-and-mortar space with a slim menu, similar to the one from the pop-up.

What do you like most about living in LA?

It’s really the epicenter of all the cultures and cuisines in the world that we can access in one place. Not to mention, there’s the beautiful weather and the beach.

The pandemic was extremely hard, especially for restaurants. How did you manage to stay connected with the community during the shutdown?

We were lucky that we were open a full year before the pandemic, so we had built a core following through social media. I started to let people into our world and let them become a part of the story. Being transparent about what was going on behind the door of the restaurant—the good and the bad—resonated with the community.

And lastly, since this is our Humans We Heart series, who inspires you?

My close friends and family all inspire me to work hard and be a good person, which translates to being a better boss. Also, the artists I work with like Ty Williams and my employees help inspire Woon.

Thanks for chatting and rocking the Made in USA Boxy Tee, Keegan! Want one for yourself? Grab it here.