One of Louisville’s newest restaurants is also one the best — not just in Derby City, but in the entire country.
Esquire tapped Nami, which just opened in May, as one of “The Best New Restaurants in America” this year.
Esquire writers considered 200 restaurants for this list (the 41st of its kind for the magazine), and Nami was one of only 50 selected.
Esquire said that Korean cuisine is “peaking” and that Chef Edward Lee was, “right on time” with Nami.
Photo by @sound_assembler
In his review of the Butchertown spot, Esquire’s Joshua David Stern wrote, “Nami delivers a deeply satisfying gamchilmat, the profound flavor that Louisville’s been missing.” Stern also hailed Chef Edward Lee for returning to his Korean roots with the menu.
This isn’t the only recognition Nami has received of late. Earlier this month, the restaurant’s executive chef Breanna Baker won the 2023 Spirit of Hospitality Rose Award from Louisville Tourism — which came with a $2,000 check.
Interested in Derby City’s thriving foodie scene? We recently looked at 15 new restaurants coming to town.
Galmae-gisal, a traditional pork dish from South Korea, is one of Nami’s offerings.
Photo by Tyler Kline (@sound_assembler)
