The SBH Review: Koen Japanese Barbecue in Blackstone
Koen, one of Omaha's first Japanese barbecue spots, has opened its doors in Blackstone.
“At first, people got intimidated by the grill, but we worked on educating them and trying to make them comfortable,” said Inez Choi, co-owner of Koen. “Once they realized it’s not hard, it's fun, the concept got accepted. In Omaha, people are very adventurous. They’re like, ‘Yeah, let’s do this.’”
The owners of Koen, Brian and Inez Choi, want to focus on quality over quantity, avoiding the all-you-can-eat buffet model. Instead, they emphasize high-end equipment and premium beef on the Japanese barbecue side of the menu.
During visits to the restaurant, the quality of the experience and the food was evident, making a buffet unnecessary.
Author's summary: Koen offers a unique Japanese barbecue experience in Omaha.