FROM NAYOUNG’S KITCHEN

The work behind
400 meals.

Five people, five hours, and the effort that got us there.

A story shared by Nayoung Yum
Owner of Box’d Kitchen · Edited from her recollections
Edited by June J. Kim · October 4, 2026

Rice, salad and pita meals prepared in the Box’d Kitchen restaurant — Catering preparations at Box’d Kitchen. Photo shared by Nayoung; not dated to the order described here.

Before I opened Box’d Kitchen, I wasn’t very fast in the kitchen.

I remember when an order for about 40 meals made me nervous for days. It felt like a lot. Later, there was a day when five of us had to prepare 400 meals within five hours.

It was hectic. There was so much to do, and at times I felt completely overwhelmed. But we did it together.

Looking at how much faster my hands had become, I realized how much effort had gone into getting here. I hadn’t always been this quick. That change reminded me of all the work along the way.

After that big order, preparing a few dozen meals felt much more manageable. We had grown as a team, too. I found myself thinking: we can do this now.

After that day, I wanted to focus more on catering. I was grateful for what we had learned together.

With thanks,
Nayoung

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