What happens when a sushi chef and a teacher bond over their backgrounds and decide to try something new? In the case of Daniel Kim and Robin Byun, a Korean-cuisine food truck.
Kups is located near Bridge City Coffee at 1500 Wade Hampton Blvd. in Hampton Plaza. The spot has become somewhat of a cultural corridor with Saigon Market, Pho 99, Kava Konnection, Sirin Thai and now Kups all located in a small area.
The food is served in cups. The “K” is a nod to the partners’ shared Korean heritage. Both attend Korean Grace Church of Greenville. Kim hails from South Korea. Byun, a dual citizen, spent his childhood shifting between New York, Los Angeles and Korea.
They met one day when Kim ordered food and Byun delivered. They eventually became roommates. At the time, Kim was a sushi chef working in both Greenville and Myrtle Beach. Byun was an elementary school teacher.
Both were ready for a change.
“Even teaching … I liked it but I didn’t think I was 100% dedicated to (it) like passionately into it,” Byun said. “But I think making Korean food would be something that’s fun and that represents my country too. So I think that was my passion, because I love my country.”
They decided to go to Charleston and purchase a food truck. The next question was how to get started, and the answer led them back to their roots.
At Korean Grace Church, lunch is made and served by members of the congregation after services. The two approached some of the women and asked for their recipes, narrowing it down to dishes they felt would a good fit for their business.
The Oink Kup is made with spicy fried pork.
Photo provided by Kups.The goal was to keep the prices down but emphasize a generous cultural feeling.
“There’s a Korean word that’s called ‘jung,’” Byun said. “There’s no word to describe it in English but Korean people give a lot of food. Like if you go to a grandma’s house, they’ll constantly feed you … they just want you to be happy.
“So us giving a full cup of Kups is like our Korean cultural thing,” he said.
The menu currently includes five cups: bulgogi (marinated beef); oink bowl (spicy pork); tuyo (tuna); phoenix (chicken); and vegetable. The cups also include rice and vegetables. The kimchi is made without fish sauce to be vegetarian friendly.
More information about hours and menu items can be found at kupskoreancups.com.
