Before becoming a renowned chef with a global restaurant empire, Akira Back, the Seoul-born culinary artist, was a professional snowboarder. Throughout his career, Back has seamlessly blended the flavors of his Korean heritage with a wide range of dining experiences, from celebrity-laden nightlife scenes to Michelin-starred tasting menus. He is a chef who recognizes that food is not just sustenance; it is culture.
Next week, Akira Back will be in Los Angeles, not only to introduce new dishes at his innovative Korean barbecue restaurant, AB Steak but also to celebrate his collaboration with the streetwear startup Me N U, alongside Asian-American artists and designers, Sean Lew and Yitai Geng.
AB Steak, located at the Beverly Center, will unveil three delectable dishes, including a limited-time tteokgalbi (minced and grilled short rib), available for a mere three weeks. The other two additions to the menu are hwe (thinly sliced salmon with a rice puff and ssamjang ponzu) and the AB pizza (wagyu on a crispy tortilla).
On the streetwear front, Me N U and Akira Back have joined forces to create an embroidered vegan-leather jacket featuring the iconic mugunghwa hibiscus, also known as the Korean rose. The center of each flower on the jacket displays a globe, symbolizing Back’s culinary journey around the world. Additionally, the collaboration includes a pair of multi-textured carpenter pants. These limited-edition pieces will be available for purchase starting on Thursday, September 28, offering enthusiasts a fusion of culinary and streetwear artistry that transcends boundaries and celebrates cultural diversity.
