Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean Kim.
Hi Sean, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Sean Kim, and I’ve been in the restaurant industry since I was 16 years old. From a young age, I’ve loved everything about food — making it, eating it, and especially sharing it with others. One of my earliest memories is experimenting in the kitchen, trying to cook rice, steaks, and different types of cuisine. I was fascinated by the idea of turning raw ingredients into something delicious that brings people together.
Over the years, I became a sushi chef, a hibachi chef, and even helped a few other restaurant owners open their stores. As much as I loved the food industry, I also began to feel the toll it took on my personal life — long hours, physical strain, and little time for anything else. So I started exploring other options, taking on side jobs as a loan officer, and later, finding a role at a car dealership. I eventually worked my way up to become a finance manager, saving money along the way to return to my first passion — food.
In 2016, my wife and I finally opened our first restaurant in Alpharetta. It was a dream come true. After three years of hard work and saving, we launched our second location in Midtown Atlanta, a ramen shop called Kin No Tori. The Midtown location had its soft opening on February 7, 2020 — just weeks before the COVID-19 shutdown. Unfortunately, because we didn’t have tax history for 2019, we weren’t eligible for most government aid.
Despite the financial challenges, our Alpharetta location helped support the Midtown store for nearly two years during the pandemic. We made it through COVID, civil unrest, supply chain shortages, and so many unexpected hardships. But we stayed focused, and people began to discover our food. Over the last three years, our Midtown ramen shop has become well known in the community for its authentic Japanese cuisine.
In the past two years, we worked tirelessly to become an official franchise company. We also rebranded our first location from Ramen Bar by Hajime to Kin No Tori, unifying our identity. Now, we’re preparing to launch a new concept in downtown Woodstock: a Japanese convenience store and ramen bar, offering authentic Japanese drinks, snacks, instant ramen, and freshly made bowls of ramen. If this model proves successful, we plan to expand the convenience store concept to our Midtown location as well.
Running a business — especially with multiple locations — while raising a family, without outside financial help, has been incredibly difficult. There have been moments where we felt like giving up.
I’ve also faced personal challenges. I dealt with serious health issues, and my wife was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully, she has completed her treatment and is now cancer-free, undergoing only routine follow-ups.
In June 1st 2025, we were dealt another major setback — a fire in the building above our restaurant (caused by another tenant, Tacos & Tequilas) caused water and smoke damage to our store and its currently closed without knowing when we can re-open.
Through everything, we never let go of our dream. Our mission is to create and share Japanese and Asian culture through food — not just in Atlanta, but far beyond. We hope that with the right support and resources, we can continue expanding, franchise our concept, and inspire others with our story of persistence, purpose, and passion.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Thinks I dont have contol.. Covid 19, Accidents and health problem, raising family vs rasing your staff and business. there is alway comflict in small business owners with families. Fire damage, insurance cllaims and dealing with landroars and employees expections
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are incredibly proud that Kin No Tori Ramen Bar is recognized as one of the most authentic Japanese ramen experiences in the greater Atlanta area. With over 10 years in the restaurant industry, we’ve built a loyal following—and our reviews speak for themselves.
Without relying on marketing agencies or artificial techniques, we’ve maintained an organic Google rating of 4.7 stars, which is no small feat in this industry. That rating reflects our consistent dedication to quality, hospitality, and authenticity. It’s something I’m deeply proud of, and we’ve held that level of customer satisfaction since the day we opened.
My ultimate goal is to build a process-driven system—both in the kitchen and in customer service—that allows us to share Japanese culture through food with even more people in Atlanta and beyond. I believe that by keeping our approach simple, clear, and authentic, and by partnering with others who share these values, we can successfully replicate this model and empower other entrepreneurs to bring the same experience to their communities.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
At this stage of my life, family is the most important thing—not just my own family, but also the families of the people around me. I’ve come to realize that true success means finding a balance between doing what you love, staying financially healthy, and being genuinely good at what you do. That balance is not easy to achieve, but it’s something I continue to work toward every day.
I want to see my family thrive, and I also want the people around me—those who work with us, support us, or believe in our vision—to grow and succeed as well. My goal is to create a business opportunity that benefits everyone involved, not just me. I believe that when we grow together, the impact is stronger, more meaningful, and more lasting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kinnotori.com
- Instagram: Kinnotoriramenatlanta
- Youtube: kinnotoritv
Image Credits
Sean Kim, Wife Julie and Friends.
