Chef Esther Choi: Iron Chef Star, NYC Restaurateur & Culinary Visionary

If you’ve ever savored one of Esther Choi’s dishes, the meal likely pleased your palate in innumerable ways — leaving a lasting impression long after the last bite. Esther Choi — Iron Chef finalist, New York City restaurateur, and culinary artist extraordinaire — offers a fresh take on traditional Korean cuisine, honoring her Korean culture and heritage even as she pushes culinary boundaries in the kitchen.

Now, through her partnership with CookUnity, Choi brings fresh flavors, ingredients, and chef-created meals directly to our customers’ tables. Meet Chef Esther Choi and discover why we’re her biggest fans at CookUnity.

Getting to Know Esther Choi: Early Life and Culinary Journey

From restaurant server to renowned NYC top chef, Esther Choi has a fascinating background that’s made her the culinary visionary she is today.

Childhood and Background

Choi’s parents and grandparents immigrated to the United States from South Korea. From an early age, Choi followed her grandmother around in the kitchen while her parents were at work.

With no other Koreans in the small town of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, her grandmother couldn’t find Korean vegetables locally, so she grew her own at home. Every week, she and Esther would travel to Philadelphia to visit the sole Korean supermarket, picking up fresh Korean ingredients to whip up traditional fare from scratch.

Choi discovered her love of cooking from an early age. By 14, she was already cutting her teeth in restaurants, developing the same kind of stick-to-itiveness as her hard-working, business-owner parents.

Education and Training

Choi didn’t begin her culinary arts education straightaway. An alumnus of Rutgers University, Choi paid her way through high school and college — bartending, serving, and hanging out in kitchens to catch glimpses of the chefs’ creations.

Choi initially majored in pharmacy sciences and then psychology. She then landed a job in sales and marketing at a software company.

Ultimately, the call to cook was loud and clear, and she traded in her laptop for an apron. After leaving her tech job, she began her formal culinary training at New York City’s Institute of Culinary Education, all while working in a restaurant to stay close to her passions.

Initial Culinary Experiences

Esther Choi’s tasty creations eventually landed her various roles at prestigious NYC restaurants, including ilili and La Esquina. Today, Esther Choi — chef and owner of the multi-location mŏkbar, as well as chef and partner at Ms. Yoo — happily shares her passion for Korean flavors with hungry crowds across New York City.

Not in the NYC area? You’re in luck. Through Ester’s partnership with CookUnity, you can now have her authentic recipes delivered right to your door: view our delivery options for meals by Esther Choi.

Media Presence and Public Engagement

From TV shows and podcasts to educational courses and culinary events like the New York City Wine & Food Festival, Esther Choi is no stranger to the public eye. Through these appearances, she aims to promote Asian cuisine, build camaraderie in the culinary field, and inspire future chefs. With Choi, cooking feels less like a chore and more like a celebration.

Along with her culinary feats, Choi has secured several roles on renowned food shows. As a host of Eater’s “Kitchen Gadgets” video series, Choi crafted a variety of Korean food dishes.

She’s also appeared on several Food Network shows, from “Beat Bobby Flay” to “Chopped,” and has guest-starred alongside Selena Gomez on HBO’s “Selena + Chef.” Additionally, Choi brought Korean cuisine to the Netflix hit series “Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend.”

Most recently, Choi joined the Food Network’s “24 in 24: Last Chef Standing” as a co-host with fellow restaurateur Michael Symon.

Esther Choi’s Contribution to Korean Cuisine

When you visit one of Esther Choi’s restaurants, count on a unique fusion of authentic Korean flavors mixed with modern techniques and technical precision.

With a focus on Korean soul food, she excels at creating small, vegetable-forward dishes known as “banchan.” Paired with protein staples like beef, chicken, and pork, these dishes reflect the beauty and complexity of Korean tradition with a contemporary flair.

Elevating Korean Cuisine Through CookUnity

At CookUnity, Chef Esther Choi brings delicious Korean flavors to innovative dishes that ignite the taste buds.

It’s love at first bite with flavor-packed meals featuring bold spices and ingredients bursting with color, texture, and crunch. From Bulgogi Beef Ramen with Seasonal Kimchi to Spicy Pork Buns with Gem Lettuce Wraps & Cucumber Kimchi, these dishes have quickly become customer favorites.

Are you a fan of Korean cuisine? CookUnity has several options for your busy lifestyle: view our Asian Fusion meal delivery menu.

Legacy and Future Aspirations

While Esther Choi is unequivocally a talented chef, she’s also an inspiration in culinary arts and education. By sharing her dishes, cooking tips, and masterful culinary creations with the world, she pays homage to her Korean roots.

As she tells the Rutgers Foundation, crafting Korean dishes is not simply about cooking or being a chef. Instead, it’s about stirring a love of Korean food and culture in the hearts — and stomachs — of people around the globe. Through her partnership with CookUnity, that goal has become more of a reality.

Final Thoughts

As a Korean chef who has impacted audiences worldwide, Esther Choi is a welcome addition to the CookUnity chef collective. By offering her time and talents to our community, she extends her reach beyond the NYC restaurants and events where she operates.

Delivering nationwide, CookUnity is the first-ever marketplace where busy, time-stressed folks can access the world’s best cuisine from top chefs anytime. At CookUnity, chefs like Esther Choi run our kitchen — bringing their recipes, innovative flavors, and diverse talents to incredible, small-batch dishes. For more information, read more about how CookUnity works here.

Visit Esther Choi’s Chef Profile to check out all of her dishes and place your order!

Frequently Asked Questions about Esther Choi

Why is Esther Choi famous?

Esther Choi is renowned as an American chef, restaurateur, and television personality. She gained prominence through her New York City restaurants, including mŏkbar and Ms. Yoo, where she represents Korean cuisine by blending traditional and modern influences. Choi has also appeared on various Food Network shows, further elevating her public profile.

What is Esther Choi doing now?

As of November 2024, Esther Choi continues to operate her restaurants, mŏkbar and Ms. Yoo, in New York City. She co-hosts the Food Network series "24 in 24: Last Chef Standing" alongside Michael Symon. In February 2024, she announced her pregnancy, marking a new chapter in her personal life.

Did Esther Choi Win Iron Chef?

While not technically an Iron Chef winner, Esther Choi is a top chef with numerous accolades. Just one point shy of being named the first “Iron Legend,” Choi gave other contestants a run for their culinary money. That one point’s difference didn’t hinder her from being named a “Zagat 30 Under 30” in 2015 and becoming a renowned NYC culinary rockstar.

Sources:

• ICE Grad Esther Choi Hosts New Chef Competition Show
• Rutgers Foundation

Continue Reading:

• Why We are Esther Choi's Biggest Fans