Its original location in Yotsuya, Shinjuku, Tokyo, first began as a Korean food store in April 1993, and was converted into a restaurant and Kimchi Museum (キムチ博物館, 김치박물관) in 1996.

As of October 2023[update], the chain has fourteen locations in various cities in Japan, including Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Yokohama.

[8] The chain originally began as a single food store in 1993, founded by Korean immigrants Oh Yeong-seok (오영석) and wife Ryu Hyang-hui (류향희; 柳香姫).

After graduation, he worked at the Keio Department Store in Shinjuku, Tokyo,[10][2] being the first Korean to have been employed there.

They made a particular effort to use ingredients and imports from South Korea,[2][10] and to distinguish their kimchi from what they considered a Japanese imitation product: "kimuchi".

[2][10] The couple began showcasing Korean cuisine in Japanese newspapers and television programs, including on Hanamaru Market [ja].

[10] Ryu published a number of cookbooks, spoke at local universities, and organized Korean food cultural events across Japan.

[13] After a controversial 2012 visit by South Korean president Lee Myung-bak to the contested Liancourt Rocks,[6][19] there was a significant boycott of Korea-related businesses in Japan.

[6] In 2015, Oh reported that as a "newcomer", he had not experienced the brunt of discrimination until this boycott, and expressed fear that the situation could worsen.