Lina Goh's guest appearances

Lina Goh

Hidden Apron Radio

The Folly Coffee Podcast

White on Rice

John Ng

Kate Meier

Rob Bathe

Jason DeRusha

Kelly Barnhill

Alex French

Tim Anderson

Yana Gilbuena

Joanne Boston

Amy Besa

Sarah Edwards

Stephanie March

Andrew Miller

Lee Carter

David Crabb

OwlTail

In this episode, Folly Rob sits down with the founders and owners of Zen Box Izakaya, Lina Goh and John Ng. Hear their story how they met from across the world in San Francisco and New Zealand in an online chat room to starting one of the most popular Japanese restaurants in the Twin Cities, famous for their ramen. A great discussion about a variety of topics in and out of the food world. Enjoy! @zenboxizakaya--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/follycoffeepodcast/messageSupport this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/follycoffeepodcast/support

In this episode, Folly Rob sits down with the founders and owners of Zen Box Izakaya, Lina Goh and John Ng. Hear their story how they met from across the world in San Francisco and New Zealand in an online chat room to starting one of the most popular Japanese restaurants in the Twin Cities, famous for their ramen. A great discussion about a variety of topics in and out of the food world. Enjoy! @zenboxizakaya--- Send in a voice message: <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/follycoffeepodcast/message" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/follycoffeepodcast/message</a> Support this podcast: <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/follycoffeepodcast/support" rel="payment nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/follycoffeepodcast/support</a>

Ep99 Category: Business/People- Zen Box Izakaya owners Lina Goh and John Ng

John Ng and Lina Goh are the owners of Zen Box Izakaya, a ramen-centric Japanese comfort food restaurant in Minneapolis. They share their story of growing up in Hong Kong (John) and Malaysia (Lina) and falling in love while living in San Francisco (John) and New Zealand (Lina). They talk about their decision to leave their careers and start a restaurant, why they chose Minneapolis, and--of course--all things ramen.The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb. For more information, please visit us at whiteonricepodcast.com.

<a href="https://www.zenbox.com/our-story" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John Ng and Lina Goh</a> are the owners of <a href="https://www.zenbox.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Zen Box Izakaya</a>, a ramen-centric Japanese comfort food restaurant in Minneapolis. They share their story of growing up in Hong Kong (John) and Malaysia (Lina) and falling in love while living in San Francisco (John) and New Zealand (Lina). They talk about their decision to leave their careers and start a restaurant, why they chose Minneapolis, and--of course--all things ramen. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chefyiavang/?hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Yia Vang</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/davidarthurc/?hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">David Crabb</a>. For more information, please visit us at <a href="https://www.whiteonricepodcast.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">whiteonricepodcast.com.</a>

John Ng and Lina Goh

Lina Goh and John Ng, who run Zen Box Izakaya, the only Japanese-style pub of its kind in Minnesota, met many years ago in an online chat room long before Tinder was but a twinkle in many a lonely single’s eye.  A long-distance romance blossomed into a move from San Francisco to Minnesota where they opened Zen Box Japanese Eatery, a quick lunch service spot in the iconic Minneapolis Skyway.  At the time, they specialized in Bento boxes and have since shifted their focus towards traditional izakaya fare (think small, shareable plates) as well as Chef John’s specialty: Ramen.   This episode is chockful of info as Lina and John shared not only their insights into starting restaurants but also their backgrounds as non-Japanese lovers of food trying to establish a misunderstood cuisine in the land of 10,000 lakes and how they’ve applied their accounting/architecture background to their business.  We talk about how they conducted their initial research, designed that first menu by creating a balance between the traditionally Japanese and the local palate, their approach to learning and education, and their much lauded community work with the MN Restaurant Assoc. and the St. Paul Culinary College.  Even if you aren’t interested in practicing the fine art of ramen or think Japanese food is defined by your local deli’s sushi counter, this episode has a lot to teach in terms of business ideas and more importantly, their wisdom on the beauty of taking chances, falling in love with your work, and the process of learning rather than being married to an outcome.  Tanoshinde kudasai…please enjoy my conversation with Lina and John.   ----   For more information including notes to the show, please visit hiddenapron.com/podcast.

Lina Goh and John Ng, who run Zen Box Izakaya, the only Japanese-style pub of its kind in Minnesota, met many years ago in an online chat room long before Tinder was but a twinkle in many a lonely single’s eye.  A long-distance romance blossomed into a move from San Francisco to Minnesota where they opened Zen Box Japanese Eatery, a quick lunch service spot in the iconic Minneapolis Skyway.  At the time, they specialized in Bento boxes and have since shifted their focus towards traditional izakaya fare (think small, shareable plates) as well as Chef John’s specialty: Ramen.   This episode is chockful of info as Lina and John shared not only their insights into starting restaurants but also their backgrounds as non-Japanese lovers of food trying to establish a misunderstood cuisine in the land of 10,000 lakes and how they’ve applied their accounting/architecture background to their business.  We talk about how they conducted their initial research, designed that first menu by creating a balance between the traditionally Japanese and the local palate, their approach to learning and education, and their much lauded community work with the MN Restaurant Assoc. and the St. Paul Culinary College.  Even if you aren’t interested in practicing the fine art of ramen or think Japanese food is defined by your local deli’s sushi counter, this episode has a lot to teach in terms of business ideas and more importantly, their wisdom on the beauty of taking chances, falling in love with your work, and the process of learning rather than being married to an outcome.  Tanoshinde kudasai…please enjoy my conversation with Lina and John.   ----   For more information including notes to the show, please visit <a href="http://hiddenapron.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hiddenapron.com/podcast</a>.

Ep. 23: Lina Goh & John Ng of Zen Box Izakaya - An Accountant and an Architect on the Wisdom of Ramen, Being an Underdog, and Internet Romance