Chef Danny Lee

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About Chef Danny Lee

Danny Lee is an influential chef and restaurateur based in Washington, D.C., celebrated for his significant contributions to Korean and Korean-American culinary scenes. He is a co-owner and chef behind several acclaimed restaurants, including Mandu, Chiko, Anju, Ieggyou, and The Fried, with his establishments frequently earning critical recognition.

★Awards & Recognition

James Beard Award Semifinalist (2026)

Chef Timeline

2024

Featured on TASTE Cooking

Discussed his journey and the rise of Korean-American food.

2026

James Beard Award Semifinalist

The Fried

Recognized alongside Scott Drewno for their work at The Fried.

Insights

Key Information

Danny Lee is an influential chef and restaurateur based in Washington, D.C., celebrated for his significant contributions to Korean and Korean-American culinary scenes. He is a co-owner and chef behind several acclaimed restaurants, including Mandu, Chiko, Anju, Ieggyou, and The Fried, with his establishments frequently earning critical recognition.

Cuisine Highlights

Korean-American CuisineKorean CuisineKorean-Chinese Fusion

News

James Beard Award Semifinalists 2026 (January 21, 2026): Danny Lee and Scott Drewno were recognized as semifinalists for their work at The Fried.
This Is TASTE 515: Korean-American Food's Big 2024 with Danny Lee (December 23, 2024): Featured on TASTE Cooking, highlighting his journey and influence in Korean-American food.

Restaurants by chef

The Passenger, The Fried, Ieggyou, Chiko, Mandu, Anju

Additional Details

Beyond his culinary endeavors, Danny Lee is also known as a karaoke promoter. He frequently collaborates with other notable chefs, such as Scott Drewno at The Fried and Angel Barreto at Anju, contributing to a dynamic and innovative dining landscape in D.C.

Data Freshness: 1w ago