Chef Lee Dong-jun of ‘French Papa’ Reveals Regular Customers and Reflects on Restaurant’s Success
Chef Lee Dong-jun, known as “French Papa” from his appearance on Netflix’s ‘Black and White Chef Season 2,’ recently shared insights into his successful Cheongdam-dong French restaurant and notable clientele during an appearance on SBS’s ‘Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 – You Are My Destiny.’ He also discussed his support for a couple embarking on a latest café venture.
Long-Running Success in Cheongdam-dong
Lee Dong-jun, who has operated his French restaurant in the trendy Cheongdam-dong district of Seoul for 17 years, acknowledged the challenges of maintaining a long-term presence in the area. “Actually, it is not simple to stay in one place for a long time because Cheongdam-dong is very trendy, but I am grateful that many people still visit,” he stated. He expressed gratitude for loyal customers who consistently recommend his restaurant.
Notable Patrons
The chef revealed several well-known figures who frequent his establishment. He specifically mentioned Chairman Hong Jeong-wook of a health food brand, Jeong Jae-hyung, and singer IU as regular patrons. He also noted that many actresses are frequent diners at his restaurant.
Passion as the Key Ingredient
When asked about the secret to his restaurant’s longevity, Lee Dong-jun emphasized his genuine love for cooking. “I think I love cooking a lot. If it weren’t for that, I don’t think I would have come this far,” he explained. He clarified that his motivation wasn’t fame or fortune, but rather the joy of seeing customers enjoy his food and return for more. “If I had a dream of cooking and becoming a star chef or becoming rich, I think I would have given up… But I think I came here just to see the customers come, eat the food, be happy, and come back again.”
Supporting a New Café Venture
During the same broadcast, Lee Dong-jun offered his support to a couple, Seo Eun-hye and Jo Young-nam, as they prepare to open a café in March. He shared that his motivation stemmed from his own experiences as a parent to a 12-year-classic son with developmental disabilities.
Lee Dong-jun also previously confessed to experiencing a marital crisis while raising his son with developmental disabilities, and he appeared on ‘Same Bed, Different Dreams 2’ to share his story and offer encouragement to the couple.