In short
Kelly Kopp’s New Yorker podcast episode features Kim Lee, founder/owner of Kauai Coffee in NYC’s West Village, discussing Vietnamese coffee culture and how she adapts Vietnamese flavors for American customers. She also shares her immigrant journey (Vietnam to Australia to New York), why she chose her shop location/design, and her hospitality-focused customer service.
Guest backgrounds
Kim Lee is Vietnamese, born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), moved to Melbourne, Australia at 22, then to New York in 2014 after her husband’s job. She previously ran beauty businesses after training in Japanese nail techniques, then started Kauai Coffee.
Key claims
Vietnamese coffee is built on strong culture and slow fin-drip routines (20–30 minutes), and Vietnam exports mostly robusta beans with higher caffeine and chocolatey/nutty notes. Her shop adjusts sweetness/bitterness to match American taste while preserving Vietnamese character.
Notable examples
Her “Kawaii” branding (means “cute” in Japanese) and menu drinks including an espresso-based Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk and coffee jelly; she tests recipes by sending samples to neighbors. Shop address: 117 Christopher Street (near Lynn Industry).
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOKim's Journey to NYC
1:58 to 3:26
Kim shares her background, growing up in Vietnam and moving to Australia.
“You know, we met at Kim's coffee shop a few weeks ago.”
Cultural Insights on Vietnam
3:26 to 5:14
Discussion on Vietnamese culture, food, and the warmth of its people.
“So my root is very strong in Vietnam still.”
Comparisons of Saigon and NYC
5:14 to 5:46
Kim compares the traffic, density, and vibrancy of Saigon and New York City.
“Do you know the population, so to speak?”
Living in Australia and Return to NYC
5:46 to 8:04
Kim reflects on her experience in Australia and her eventual move to New York.
“Meanwhile, New York is the biggest city, like such a big deal in the entire world.”
Starting a Business in NYC
8:04 to 10:34
Kim discusses her journey to starting multiple businesses in New York City.
“And when I come here, I love every bit of it.”
The Concept of Kauai Coffee
10:34 to 14:00
Kim elaborates on her Vietnamese coffee shop, Kauai, and its concept.
“And that's what I love to live my life by.”
The Journey to Kawaii Cafe
14:00 to 14:30
Kim Lee discusses her decision to open a Vietnamese coffee shop.
“And I was just like, now I'm, do I want to expand it or do I want to do something like 180 different?”
Location and Ambiance of Kawaii Cafe
14:30 to 16:36
Kim describes the location of her coffee shop and its nearby attractions.
“It's just because Hawaii and Kauai is just different in H and K.”
Understanding Vietnamese Coffee Culture
16:36 to 19:21
Discussion on the unique characteristics of Vietnamese coffee and its cultural significance.
“And why did you decide to go with Vietnamese, to introduce Vietnamese coffee to America?”
Adapting Coffee for American Tastes
19:21 to 22:40
Kim explains how she adjusts her Vietnamese coffee to suit American preferences.
“they didn't know that we have our own coffee cultures.”
Show all 27 chapters
Mixology and Coffee Alchemy
22:40 to 26:00
Kim shares her approach to creating coffee blends that appeal to her customers.
“I don't even know if I'm saying the right word.”
Creating the Right Ambiance at Kawaii Cafe
26:00 to 28:00
Kim discusses the design choices made to create a welcoming atmosphere in her cafe.
“You know, I didn't really think I feel I feel like the whole world come here.”
Designing a Welcoming Coffee Space
28:00 to 28:36
Learn how Kim Lee created a bright and inviting atmosphere in her coffee shop.
“Sometimes you have to find your own way.”
The Importance of Customer Service
28:36 to 30:02
Discover how personal connections enhance the coffee shop experience.
“I tell very specifically with my architect.”
Creating a Sense of Community
30:02 to 31:20
Understand how small interactions can impact customers' days positively.
“So you already know, like, we do a really inside hustle to survive and to pay rent or to do anything to the city.”
Choosing the Right Location for Business
31:20 to 32:52
Explore the thought process behind selecting the ideal spot for her coffee shop.
“And I think, you know, New Yorkers love that that connection, too.”
Overcoming Challenges in Opening
32:52 to 36:20
Learn about the hurdles Kim faced when starting her coffee shop and how she adapted.
“I feel like if you feel it, And then that's it for you.”
Cultural Differences: Food and Community
36:20 to 39:38
Kim shares what she misses about Vietnam and how it differs from New York.
“So now it's become more like stable and project positive movements and stuff.”
Celebrating Lunar New Year in NYC
39:38 to 42:00
Discuss the significance of Lunar New Year and its celebrations in New York.
“that you love here in New York City that you didn't have in Vietnam?”
Cultural Differences in Zodiac Animals
42:00 to 43:55
Discover the differences between Vietnamese and Chinese zodiac systems and their implications.
“Do you also do an animal as the year of?”
Navigating New York City as a Newcomer
43:55 to 46:06
Learn about the challenges and feelings of finding purpose when moving to NYC.
“you want to spend your freshest time Yeah.”
Friendship Dynamics in Adulthood
46:06 to 49:43
Explore the complexities of making friends as adults and the impact of age on relationships.
“Maybe they don't know what they're looking for.”
Public Transportation Perspectives
49:43 to 52:11
Hear insights about experiences using the subway, especially from a woman's perspective.
“In my head I was like I feel that for me too I do love that.”
What It Means to Be a New Yorker
52:11 to 54:16
Understand the pride and reputation associated with being from New York City.
“Yeah, I think that's smart for a woman, you know.”
Connecting with Guests: Social Media and Community
54:16 to 55:10
Learn how to connect with the podcast's guests and community through social media.
“Why don't you let everyone know where they can find you on social media and your business or whatever you want to tell us.”
Wrap-Up and Farewell
56:00 to 56:11
The hosts express gratitude and say goodbye to the audience.
“And All Day NYC has an awesome Instagram account, too, on social media.”
Final Transit Announcement
56:11 to 56:52
A public transit announcement concludes the segment.
“Thank you for riding with MTA New York City Transit.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00I drive my bus in a busy city. That's why road safety is so important to me. I know that I must slow down and be extra careful when I make a wide turn. Buses need more room than cars. Everyone can help keep our roads safe. Next time you're driving, remember to give buses plenty of time and space to finish turning before driving ahead. Let's all plan to share the road safely. Learn how at www.sharetheroadsafely.gov. Hello, everyone, and welcome to the New Yorker's podcast, a podcast by myself, Kelly Kopp, New York City Kopp. I'm your host as well. I'm a published photographer, New York City tour business owner, content creator, podcaster, and above all else, a New Yorker.
0:46Ladies and gentlemen, the next booklet about Trace is now high. Stand clear of the closing doors, please.
1:09This is a time square for the tech industry.
1:19How are you doing today, everyone? With me today, I have Kim Lee right here. She's amazing. Amazing person. We're gonna have a great conversation. She's the owner and founder of Kauai Coffee, a new coffee shop in the West Village that uniquely specializes in Vietnamese coffee. Her shop also takes inspiration from Asian culture and brings Kauai to the Big Apple. But above all else, she is a New Yorker. Hey, Kim. Welcome to the show. How are you today? I'm very good. Thank you for having me. I'm so happy to have you here. You know, we met at Kim's coffee shop a few weeks ago. We had a great conversation.
2:09And, you know, it was just so great to have you here again. And you have such good energy. This is my first time I do a podcast. Really? Yeah. This is like since I have this shop, I have an opportunity to experience so many different things. For example, I was on TV, I was on live TV, and I was on NBC, and I was on Fox. Right. And now this is a podcast. So I was so stressed out before for the shop. But right now, I feel like I start to enjoy the journey and be with you today. And the first time ever in my entire life for the podcast is actually this is one of the fun journey that I have. Oh, I'm so happy you're here.
2:48This is really, really great. So I, you know, I really want people to get to know you, you know, get to know about your business. So let's start from the beginning when you were this tall. So where were you born? I mentioned it, but go ahead. Tell us. So I am very Vietnamese. I'm born and raised until I'm 21. And then I start to move to Australia, Melbourne for a short time. When did you move to Australia? When I'm 22. Wow. So real quick. So is your family and everything still back in Vietnam? Yes, I have my parents and my extended family in Vietnam. So my root is very strong in Vietnam still.
3:30And then I have me here with my sister. My sister just moved from Toronto to New York for the last like six months. And my brother just went to Toronto, just go to Toronto for college. So basically my strong roots still in Vietnam. Well, what's interesting too is I have a really good friend. Her name is Carrie Rucker. I've known her most of my life. She's one of my dearest friends. And she's been to Vietnam a couple of times and she absolutely loves it. Yeah. You know, she says it's one of her favorite places to go. Yeah. I would say, I mean, I don't want to be biased, but I think Vietnam is way better in Thailand.
4:05So you have to go to Vietnam because we have a very strong food and drink culture. But the thing that makes it special is the people. Right. Right. So because the people we go, I mean, people go through so much war. And when you remember about Vietnam, you think about like, oh, Vietnam, American war, Vietnam, Chinese war, Vietnam, Japan war or France. Right. We go through so much periods of our history for war. Then you think about it, it's like almost feel like, oh, maybe they negative, maybe negative, maybe the developing country or something. But but the people, despite how many things that they go through, they are the sweetest people.
4:42They're so sweet. They're so welcoming. They almost feel like they forgot what happened to them or something, but they just welcome you with their whole heartache. You know what else I heard too? Carrie loved it because it's also very inexpensive to travel to Vietnam or, you know, visit Vietnam. You know, the hotels and everything. I heard, I mean, Carrie's like, it's a dream. It's beautiful. It's inexpensive. We have like the most beautiful beat. We have CD. We have amazing. You can travel in budget. You still have the amazing time. Or you can be expensive as you want. What city did you grow up in?
5:17Ho Chi Minh City. Oh, yeah. AKA Saigon. Right. Yeah. So that's the biggest city in Vietnam. Wow. Do you know the population, so to speak? I think about roughly about above 10 million. Bigger than New York City. Yes. It's very dense. And you see people everywhere. The traffic will scare you, but somehow people navigate it. Right. I know. So you actually moved from Vietnam and what's the name of the city again? I don't want to. Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City. Yes, Saigon. And to a smaller city of New York City. Is that funny? That is so funny. Meanwhile, New York is the biggest city, like such a big deal in the entire world.
5:56And I come from the city like just bigger than that. That's so funny. But a lot of things remind me of where I'm coming from in New York. First, the traffic. Second, how many people. and third, how dense the city would be. But then somehow I navigated. I have no problem. I love it. I found familiar things and I love it. Wow. Yeah, this city is amazing. You know, I would love to go to Saigon now. Maybe I'll go back with you. You're married, right? I am married. Yeah. Then when you and your husband are, you know, do you have children? We don't. Oh, wait, not yet. Well, you know, count me as your child and I'll go with you and your husband.
6:34Back to Vietnam. I adopt you. That's amazing. Okay, so then you leave. Why did you go to Australia? But why did you leave Vietnam to go to Australia? My husband's job. Oh, nice. So when I met my husband, I was like in Vietnam still. And then he already moved there for like four years in Melbourne for his job. And then we met and then he's like, would you like to experience Australia a little bit before my job finished? and we have to move either back to a new job or move back to Toronto, Canada. That's where he's from. Right. So then I said, okay, let's do it. So then I lived in Australia for a little bit over a year and then his job finished and then his next job happened to be in New York.
7:16What did you like Australia? Can I tell the truth? I've always wanted to go there, but go ahead. I mean, I live in a bright downtown Melbourne. Like you cannot pick any better place than that. So, but I honestly don't like it. I mean, I like it in a way of like very, that was the first time ever I get out of Vietnam. Oh, yeah. Yes. Into like a Western style. So, so much thing to learn. But then I'm like, I'm taking it in. I'm not overwhelming. But I feel like it's not my place. The energy doesn't match. So... I mean, that's okay to say. But they have a lot of positive things about Australia and also the negative things.
7:58I mean, I hear people say about New York, too. They don't like it. It's tough for them. I enjoy my time there. But I was very happy to live. And when I come here, I love every bit of it. Not immediately. It takes me some time. Here? Yes. Not immediately because I still have to navigate, you know, new life, new friend, making friends. You're very alone. And what year did you move here? 2014. Oh, okay. Yeah. 2014, 2014. You've been here about the same time. I was 2013. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So take me some time, but I like the city a lot. I like American spirit into it. And I like New Yorker style.
8:35Everyone have their own style. Everyone have their own dream and everyone try to make it. And you have, you bump into a lot of people with very interesting life. And you like, wow, I learned a lot. And the thing that I love the most is how diverse it is. And I think the only thing that makes me want to open the shop in such a concept that I have into this specific city, because I think people will be open-minded and want to experience this because the New Yorker, that's what they are. So that's interesting. You know, I haven't really traveled the world, sadly. I wish I had, but, you know. So you're in Vietnam, Saigon, and then you go to Australia.
9:13Do you feel New York is a much more diverse city than those two? Yes. Vietnam, Saigon. Or Toronto, even. Yes. Toronto is very, I would say Toronto, very similar, but New York's still more diverse. Yeah. But Toronto is like everyone comes from every place. And New York the same way. Vietnam, most of everyone is Vietnamese. So we like the same thing. We don't like the same thing. We wear the same clothes. We don't wear the same clothes. Our family this, our family that. Basically, everyone have the same story. Interesting. Melbourne is like also a little bit more diverse. But a lot of Asian because very close to Asia continent.
9:51Correct. And a lot of Australians there. So that's majority dominant Australia. And if you have smaller group, like a little bit different type of people there, but it's not as even close diversity to New York City. There's just something magical about this city, isn't it? Yes. It just makes people come from everywhere. So you have people open businesses or have a trillion different ideas. And all you need is just like one or a few of that idea work and it makes the city great. Well, for me to grow up in the United States, and I mean, there's this magnetism that New York has that brought me here.
10:23because of the diversity in every single way, shape, and form. You know, we just blend together and we all appreciate each other for the most part. Yes. You know, and, you know, we just, we respect each other. We all get along. And that's what I love to live my life by. I feel the same way like you do. So that's why I'm very inspired to have my first business in New York. Not everyone else, New York. So how, okay, so you're living in New York. for how long until you started your business? And tell us about your business. So I have a few different business before. I have this one. But this one, every business is honestly is not connected.
11:03They're very separate. So at first, I don't know what to do when I move here. I know no one. So then I went to a school. And then I was like, I graduate. I call it graduate in Vietnam and everything. So when I come here, the degree I got is not really working. So then I'm like, well, yeah, I don't want to go to college again. I'm not a college girl. I'm not a corporate girl, really. I'm not a corporate. I'm not. I don't have a personality for that. I talk way too much and I talk way too appropriate. So I said, and I always, my dream is very small. I just wanted to have a couple of shops that I own.
11:35And I wanted to run it the way I want. And I want to meet people and I enjoy people's conversations. I really enjoy what I can able to connect with people. Right. So then that's why I have little small business everywhere. So then I go to the nail school. I was just like, it's so random. I'm like, okay, let's just do it. I think I never do it. So let's do it. I graduate. And lucky enough, my instructor in the class is like, oh, there's like this Japanese-specific nail salon looking for, you know, like, want to try? I say, oh, okay. So when I went there and then I just discovered and found a new world that the Japanese technique or for doing manicure and pedicure.
12:13And I'm like, what is this thing? What is this place? You know, and I managed to learn my way through. and I stick with it for a good time, like a year-ish to learn the technique. And then I start to have my private beauty studio. And when I feel like I'm good enough, and I start to just like, at that time, I also like, I don't know if people come. It's way too many competitions. And I'm just like, you know what? I'm just going to try. If it doesn't work, at least I try. So I don't missing out on anything. So then quickly after that, one person, two person, they tell their friends and they have a fully booked schedule.
12:46And because it's private, only one-on-one. so then I learned so many about people their life and then they tell me everything that maybe they tell me things that they don't even tell their family you know so like who they date who they cheat with like what happening how they're frotting the system how to make money and I'm like oh should I should I do I'm safe now I know too much yeah exactly and just you know it's very fun but I don't know for some reason I always like keep all the secret and I never cross story to everyone Yeah. So and those women that I'm able to be beginning when I moved to America, it's like a like a stone for me because they was like not just client, but like the whole support system that I got when I moved to America.
13:28And I'm able to have like relationship, like a friendship or something with those women, too. They amazing. What neighborhood was this in? Was this in the West Village, too? No, it was. It's not in the West Village. It was in Midtown. Oh, wow. Yeah, because all of the Japanese songs, the first one in Soho and then the second one and everything is in Midtown. I almost said Midtown too. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So for some reason, it's just easy for people to commute. Right, exactly. It's essentially located. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Subway and everything. And then the last one, that's when I moved from Midtown to Hoboken.
13:57Actually, yes, because then I have a whole thing over there. I do, it's very good. I make a good, you know, and stuff. I was happy. And I was just like, now I'm, do I want to expand it or do I want to do something like 180 different? And I always have passion about like, Vietnamese coffee in my own culture. So that's why I'm just like, you know what? Let's just erase it. And then have this coffee shop just like build from zero and see if I can able to duplicate my cell one again. So that's where the idea is coming from. And that's where I met you is at your coffee shop. Exactly. Yeah. Am I saying it correct?
14:33Kauai or Kauai or Kauai? No, you say perfect. You know how Hawaii, they say that? Very similar. Oh, very similar. Yes. It's just because Hawaii and Kauai is just different in H and K. Yeah. It's the same thing. What is kawaii? Mean cute. Oh, yes. It means cute in Japanese. And I was like, because my shop is about cuteness. It is. But the cute in Vietnamese is very long words. It's called Ye Thuong. And I don't want people to have trouble to say Ye Thuong coffee. And I'm like, I don't think... A lot of Americans trying to say it. Or anyone that's not Vietnamese, you know? So I'm like, you know what?
15:11I love anime. Let's take kawaii. Everyone can say it. Well, you know, tell everybody where your shop is, too. So it's located very in the heart of the West Village. It's on the corner of Christopher and Bleeker. Well, you know, Bleeker is very busy, always with tourists. So we just all bleaker. Just a hair off. That's kind of it. But we are full with, we neighbor with very famous places like Lean Industry Pizza. The famous. I don't ever know how to say that. It's one of the most famous pizza places in the city. it's basically across the street from you. Yes. L industry or Lynn industry? Lynn industry.
15:48Everyone calls Lynn industry. Lynn industry. Oh, it's Lynn industry. Yes. Everyone say that. Nobody knows how to say it. Yeah. Yeah. Good. I feel better because I'm like, how do I say it? No, that's how exactly how it is. Everyone just like Lynn industry, Lynn industry. And then so we on Christopher 117 Christopher Street. Yeah. I think you're just such an ideal spot. I mean, I love it. and you're close to the friend's apartment, so to speak. We go to the path system to go to Jersey. Oh, yeah. Yeah, so people get off that and you start to go to the West Village. Subway, super easy. Yes, yes. You know, the one train comes.
16:24What train would you take? The one or the... A one. Yeah, the one train. Or even the A and C. You can be able to. Oh, B, D, S, too. On 6th Avenue. Yes, yes, yes. It's not far at all. Yeah, I mean, so tell us about Vietnamese coffee. What do you love about it? And why did you decide to go with Vietnamese, to introduce Vietnamese coffee to America? Yeah. So Vietnamese coffee, this is the bean, right? We call that brobosta bean. Yeah. So this brobosta bean grow in Vietnam, right? So for some reason, the soys in Vietnam land, whatever, work really well with this bean. So we are growing it like no problem.
17:08So we export. But Vietnam, actually, is the second largest country export coffee bean. Really? And the majority of it is Robosta bean. So this type of beans have quite a bit of caffeine and a little bit more chocolatey, a little bit more nutty. But it could be a little bit bitter depending on the type of Robosta bean you chose. I loved it. So that's why it's make it special. And the way we made it, I don't know, something with Spanish latte. Have you ever heard of Spanish latte? They're using condensed milk. Oh, yes, I have heard of that. For some reason, Vietnam is using the condensed milk too.
17:40So we're using that beans and then we use condensed milk and we put it together. But the way we make it, not with the express, I mean, OG OG Vietnamese coffee, we make with the fin drip. So we're creating the fin drip. It's just like a drip coffee. Very slow. So then they're very meany things and they give you a little cup. They put the drink drip on top. Then they put the hot water inside and they put a little bit of condensed milk. This is what the Vietnamese people in the morning, okay? They wake up. There's no rush. So slow there. You go to your favorite coffee shop. You sit there forever, right?
18:16You put your coffee. You wait for it to drip. You have enough time in your life that you sit there. You wait it to drip. It takes 20, 30 minutes to drip. Wow. And then you mix it up with the condensed milk. 20, 30 minutes to drip? Yes. That's what I'm saying. It's so slow there. Yeah. You just sit there. You just talk about. I need to move to Vietnam. With your friend. You read newspaper. You just sit there. You're just like, ah, gripping. Okay. And then you mix it up with the whole thing with the little spoon. You add ice and you sip it. So your morning routine for coffee take you about an hour or two.
18:51Sometimes three. Wow. And then people take their family there for family reunion sometime. Or then you talk about business. You talk about everything as a coffee. That's the culture there. People drink coffee from morning to even 11 p.m. They still drink coffee. Wow. And they bring their business partner to talk about coffee. They're dating there. They go there for a day. They talk about anything over coffee. Wow. So they wait for it to drink. I didn't know Vietnam has such a huge coffee culture. We have our own thing. That's why Starbucks, when it comes to Vietnam, they didn't know that we have our own coffee cultures.
19:29are so big that they cannot expand as fast as they can. And some of their store are closing right now. Wow. Because the Vietnamese culture coffee is so strong. American. Well, you don't want the American style of coffee. At first, the young people, most of the Starbucks when they come to Vietnam is young people. Yeah. The older people, they have their own thing. Everything. Yeah. I love it. Yes. And then, that's with the OG, right? So then moving on when you have a new generation, Tien C. Yes. Then they start to... Tien C. Yep. Sometimes it's good, sometimes we don't know. Then they imported, they started just like, oh, espresso machine.
20:05They imported with like a little bit corporate with Italian culture. And they bring like pullover from everything. So now Vietnamese coffee could come from a traditional or espresso made or pullover or anything. It's still Vietnamese coffee. Which one did you make me? And I loved it. If you don't remember, it's okay. Yeah. Because you made me a coffee. I make you the situationship. which is like I name all my coffee it's like relationship status okay go ahead tell me what you made me and then tell us the names I make you the OG the relationship yes so it's have Vietnamese coffee bean but I don't make with the OG way I make with the espresso machine because I test it both and the OG way take way too yeah exactly the New York they don't have time they don't have that patient nobody sit there for 30 minutes okay Second, to preserve the coffee scent.
20:59When it's fresh like that, you take all of the scent and the caffeine and everything. And it can be volume and it could be like consistent. That's why I'm using like the aggressive machine instead of fin drip. Yeah. Yes. And then I put a little condensed milk and I put a little bit of secret sauce in there and coffee. And then I add you a little bit coffee jelly. That's the only thing. What did you add? What did you say? Coffee jelly. What is coffee jelly? Coffee jelly is like, you know, Jell-O, right? You know Jell-O. Yeah. Yeah. So we're using the texture is very similar to Jell-O. Oh, wow. But we make with coffee.
21:34So it's a topping. How cool is that? Yeah. So that's what I gave you. It was really good. I loved it. You know. Because we were selling for American or for mixture, like raisin browns and stuff. So we have to be adjusting the amount of sugar or amount of coffee. And we have to be very careful when I select a bean. I don't want people to be like too bitter. like a Vietnamese way. Oh, so you have to adjust the Vietnamese coffee to the taste buds of American. Yes, but still somehow reserve the Vietnamese. Correct. Yes. That's got to be a delicate dance right there. Yes, it takes me a long time to test and send out samples.
22:11I basically drive every one of my neighbors, whatever people I know, insane. When I keep sending them coffee and I receive feedback, and then one of the beans too bitter, the other bean too soury. This is too much. this is to this, this, this. Give me aftertaste. Give me a headache. Give me a headache. Yeah. So then I have to combine it and then I come with a perfect coffee bean combination. And then how much sugar is enough? How much not sugar is enough? Can I adjust it? Pay on a customer. And then I'm able to figure out everything. Is everything adjustable? You're like an alchemist. Is that the right word?
22:43Do you know that word? Yes, I know. There's a book. Yeah. Am I saying the right word? I don't even know if I'm saying the right word. So I'm like a mixologist, you know. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But it's interesting. Mixology. Yeah, you're making me think like the things that I've taken for granted that people from other countries who migrate over here and. Is migrate the right word? Yes. Yeah. And so. And. And they started a coffee shop or any type of business dealing with food or beverage. And I've never I've taken for granted that, you know, people from different countries have to actually acclimate their.
23:23business when it comes to food or beverage to the taste buds of Americans. I've just never thought about that. Yeah, you can. I feel like if you're so like, I'm so Vietnamese, I have to make everyone have to taste exactly the taste buds of the Vietnamese. Honestly, it makes no sense because the people who grow up here, they have different taste buds. Yeah. You know, so like you can't make them just do like that. It's just almost like it's like you like it, but it doesn't mean people have to like it. You know? So that's why I think normally people adjust it to a little bit or a lot to the taste of people in here a little bit.
23:59You know, it's funny, too, because I was at this food truck last night up in Washington Heights and it was delicious. But, you know, they had all these spices and and they said, you know, and they were make my friend was doing a video up there, you know, and I'm in the neighborhood. So I went to went to go. We went together and it was really fun. I actually had the best burger. but it's funny because when he was making me the burger he was telling me all the ingredients because it's got a lot of Latin flavor to it which I love but unfortunately I always say this I'm like sorry I'm an old white man it can't be spicy you know people always laugh I'm like I'm so sorry but I gotta be up front with you I'm like I'm sure you already thought of this but you see but you're open minded you want to try people from different culture you know But I tell you something very, because in Vietnam, most everybody is Vietnamese.
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24:5299.99 % Vietnamese, right? So when you try, when people like now they have like people from Europe, people from America open businesses in Vietnam and they open restaurants, right? For example, pizza. Right. Let's take that. They have to make it a little bit to Vietnamese taste too. Yeah, just the opposite. Exactly. This is fascinating. I've never thought about this. If you put like, let's say, parmesan cheese, which I love, which we all love. But if you put like that, sometimes Vietnamese, I'm just taking an example. I don't know, okay? That Vietnamese people don't like it. And you're just like, I don't want it.
25:25You have to make something other thing like that. And then they have to, you know, you have to have to be curated to a little bit to the native culture. That's just how it is. If you keep it 100 % Vietnamese, you say, yo, drink it. You have to drink it. You have to light it, you know? Like, there's no way. Way too sweet. that's just this is just it's fascinating to me it's fascinating to me and you know you're the reason i love doing this podcast because you know you're oh sorry you know you're teaching we hit we hit feet by accident it's cute yeah um but you're teaching me i love this that's what i love about the podcast is guests such as yourself you know and you're teaching me you know about you know about the world yeah and things that i've taken for granted even being a New Yorker for so long.
26:13Yes. You know, I didn't really think I feel I feel like the whole world come here. You have a little bit of every company here and you learn it. But, you know, I'm going to America. I'm going to start a restaurant. I got to I got to make sure that the Americans like it. I got to do a little, you know, mixing stuff around to make sure we got a little, you know. Yeah. But that's really cool. That's really interesting. Well, good for you. And how long how long has your business been open? So our first day of open was December 13 of 2025. Oh, nice. So we're a little bit over four months old at this point.
26:46Oh, nice. Oh, yeah. So we kind of knew you. Not too new, but still kind of new. Discovery phase. Well, I love it. Tell them your address again so people can go see you. Yes, Kawaii Cafe, 117 Christopher Street. Yep, across from... Lynn Industry. Lynn Industry. You got this. Yeah, so yeah, it's in such a great neighborhood too. And I like the how you what did you do to, you know, it's important when you walk into a business, how it makes you feel. And right when I walked in there, it made me feel really, really good. It's bright. It's airy. So what what did you do to did you did you kind of study or when you open a business, you have to think about all these things.
27:30So what did you think about? So fortunately, I've been to places, not just America. I've been a little bit of Europe, a little bit of Asia. And I don't drink alcohol. I love, but I love coffee. So because I go too many coffee shops. So every time I go, I take no more things I like and I don't like. And West Village is very like rustic sometimes. A little bit more artsy. A little bit more darker. You know, when you go somewhere, a little bit more dim light. More darker. Sometimes you have to find your own way. Like how you're talking soft. And it's like, yeah, you just have this whispering suddenly.
28:04you know and then a lot of coffee shops there they have a very similar theme i think that's the vibe right yeah but then for me i want it to be bright i as the girly girl i love pink i love bright color i love pastel yeah that's why i love taylor's web and then so then i wanted to my space to be a little bit brighter a little bit more pinker but new uh everyone can come not just girl just everybody yeah uh so lighting up and i like anime so I incorporate animes into it. And so when I open the shop, I tell very specifically with my architect. And I said, listen, this is what I want. Bright, cute, feel very welcoming.
28:47I want to feel like people, even if they have a bad day when they walked in, something light them up. Yeah, and I like how the sun, it's rare in New York City to have sunlight. Yes. And you had sunlight coming in the front window. I would notice that right away. Yeah, I love that. That's a good spot for taking selfies and stuff too. that's why I put a mirror right there it's like a banquette you can sit there you can have a chat with your friends I know my shop is small so seat is very limited but somehow somehow people make it work and they love to sit in that spot a lot because you can see people walk by too so that's why I could stay confident that my shop design and colors and vibe is only me can provide because like I said they're very more team-like more like whispering style that kind of stuff Yeah, my shop is like keep smiling, happy and stuff.
29:37And the thing I think it makes my shop very different is like customer service. Because I'm from Vietnam. I already told you before beginning that we, our people, we very like hospitality. We very like warm. So I want to translate that to my shop too. You definitely do. You will be like, hi, how are you? Are you day going okay and stuff? And then I always, I care a lot for the experiences. Because sometimes it's not about coffee. Sometimes people may be looking for a little connection. Correct. So you already know, like, we do a really inside hustle to survive and to pay rent or to do anything to the city.
30:12So a cup of coffee sometimes is like, oh, you good? Are you okay? Are you like, how are your day? You know, you'll be fine. You got this, you know, whatever. Just a tiny conversation. It don't take that much time on your day, but people feel great. Yeah. And maybe you never see that person again. Maybe they're just passing by. Maybe they're tourists. But that conversation, go home with them. Just say, oh, I went to this coffee shop. I met this barista. She asked me how my day. She really cared if I like to drink. That's important. And then they just like, you know what? Maybe I love this. Maybe a little energy carry on today.
30:41And that's what I want it to be. And so far, I feel good that I can able to translate that. Because I start to see familiar faces. Yeah, I was going to ask you that. Yes. And they liked it. And they start to open up more. Oh, Kim, I just got a job that I talked about last week. Oh, Kim, I'm going to move. And I'm like, certainly you have a little bit of day with your life. And then you're just like, oh, I'm happy. I'm a part of a little bit of your conversation. You know, it's just like, it's OK, because. I think what go around come around. And I'm sure when I have a bad day or something, if I go somewhere, if I need help, maybe some way down the road that someone going to want to talk to me, want to help me out or something, too.
31:18That's how I think about life. Yeah. Yeah. I really get it. I love it. And I think, you know, New Yorkers love that that connection, too. We really do. Yeah. You know, people think New Yorkers are like, you know, heavy skinned or whatever the word is. Don't care. Just going. Always rude. It's not true. It's not true. We notice the beautiful things in life. It is. And you. Like the sunlight in your front window. You know, the connection. You're always helpful. New Yorker, very helpful. Very helpful. But you just have to be fast because we have to go somewhere. What do you want to do? This is true.
31:53Go that way and get out of my way. I was at the St. Allen Ferry today leaving and I saw this couple. this family looking at the map or whatever and i tried to help them yeah and they were like looked at me up and down and they're always like trying to say you know they're like is this guy like a scammer or something you know and i'm just like you know and i'm like i i'm walking by you trying to be nice sometimes people are you know receptive but some people don't even they act like they don't even see me like they don't hear me you know i'm like but it's fine it's fine but i'm sure if someone looked troublesome you would love to just kind of like yo you wanna you need help or something, but then fast.
32:28I have five minutes. Hurry. Don't ask me too much. You know, I like to see on the subway too, people see people looking at the map and New Yorkers jump in and they need help. Or just like, oh, something, just get out here. Get up. Get out. Done. And that's it. Exactly. You get out right here. Boom. You're here. Exactly. I see that a lot. Yeah. Well, how did you pick the space where your business is right now? I'm big on Beaver to Work. I feel like if you feel it, And then that's it for you. Before I went select this place, I went from Chelsea, from K-Town, from Midtown, from East Village, from Chinatown to West Village.
33:10Yeah. Wow. I've been over the place because it's always the type. I think that's my clientele at, you know, like the people targeting. Yeah. So I could be open the same space with the same place with bigger space and less rent. than I have right now in East Village or in Chelsea, anywhere else. But I just not feel it doesn't hit you. Immediately, you're just like, this is not feel like it is. You know, it's just like you met the love of your life. You're like, this is it. Exactly. Or you can just stay for forever and you're just still not sure. You know, you're like, I'm not sure. I don't know.
33:44I want to commit, you know. But then when you met the love of your life, you're just like, yeah, this is it. This is the one. This is it. Is he crazy? And you're just like, yeah, this is the one. Or he's crazy? And you're just like, I can deal with this you know and you try to make it work even though clearly it's a psychopath right there and you're just like no this is it so when I see this bay and I after that before that I was like 20 space yeah yeah and I don't feel it wow I love it I like it but not the one and when I see this bay I think this is it yeah so then I would just like quickly proceed with everything yeah so it's a little bit difficult for that space because the previous tenant she was a psychic scammer or something i'm not sure i'm not sure but she was there she was like do some shady business over there something she got kicked out she lived behind a mess so then as a new tenant me and the landlords and everybody have to try to just kind of like figuring out how to get rid of the mess that she left behind and then the landlord went a certain way i want a certain way so then the whole process of that is like at that time i could back down i could be like let's buy a new place let's just buy a new space in the west village too let's just not do this but for some reason i'm so stubborn i'm like no we make it work we make it work and i don't know why we make it work but we're gonna make it work and then i make it work and i actually make it work but the whole thing delay the process of opening a lot yeah because apparently i was i original plan i wanted to open in september no one want to open a new business in in December or January.
35:21It's the dead season of a business, you know, especially... Oh, is it? Yeah, because it's winter. I don't know if January is, but December, like Christmas season is. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Christmas is still. If you depend, like for me, I'm so new. Nobody knows who I am or what I'm selling and the concept is so new. What do you mean to be to me coffee? What do you mean topping? What do you mean coffee, jelly? It's just overwhelming people. So then, and then, you know, but I don't sell... They have to come in. They're confused. They're like, oh, what do you mean coffee jelly? What do you mean Vietnamese coffee?
35:53So I do a lot of explaining work, you know, beginning. So then people are just like, and then around the corner of my shop is like three or four very viral, viral, viral everywhere in TikTok, social media, coffee shop. So they can go there. Why would they come to me? You know? Right. So it was very tough. And then because of all that mess with the brief attendant, then I delayed it. and then they have trouble some and stuff. But I get through it. So now it's become more like stable and project positive movements and stuff. But it was tough. You know, I don't even know about the, you don't even have to bring them up, but I mean, I don't even know about the viral coffee shops.
36:33They are so viral. They like you, you just typing in like coffee in New York and it just boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. Really? Every single day. There's a line every single day. And they sell very similar price point to my coffee. and like if you was you already know the place you go there why would you come to me I have no reputation yet you'll build it but it needs time you'll build it I mean I think your coffee shop is amazing it'll be fun I'm definitely going to come back soon and see you are you there that often I'm there quite often But you know You can always let me know in advance And I make sure I'm there when you're there We always have new drink here and there I can give you a different one next time Maybe I give you what are we Or Gaslight Or Red Flag I love you We have Gaslight We have Slow Burn We have what are we We have Netflix and Joe What are you this day if you're dating I would be like are you Gaslight I give you a gaslight.
37:47I love it. I love it. It's really fun. So, you know, now that you're here in the United States and you've lived here how long now? 11 years. Yeah, same as me, basically. Yeah. So what do you miss about Vietnam compared to the United States? And what do you love about the United States compared to Vietnam? Yeah, I would say I miss the food the most. Yeah. New York have amazing food culture. every cuisine from any other country on point but Vietnamese. Really? Because we have such a small, small, small population of Vietnamese people live in New York. First of all, they live a lot in California.
38:27Biggest town is Orange County. Yeah. And they live a lot in Houston, Texas. Second biggest town. Then they live warmer place or cheaper place. You know? And then New York is just so cold, so expensive. They didn't like it. But then they just have a small community. So then, not even community, just they spread out. Right. And then so they have like the OG business, you know, like a little bit in Chinatown, a little bit here and there. But the food culture, Vietnamese food culture is not strong. Yeah. So suddenly, suddenly, for some reason, younger people go to school, do things. And then suddenly they open more Vietnamese business in the city.
39:02Nice. So suddenly they get a little bit better. That's why I don't know. I don't do this by purpose. But suddenly I open my shop in the beginning of the way. so I think more and more the Vietnamese business is going to start opening even more yeah but so the missed things definitely the food yeah the coffee I already got the coffee for myself so I'm good other than that I miss my family of course but other than that I feel like this is like home I don't miss too much so New York you feel like is home I feel good I feel good here I feel very content what do you feel like that you love here in New York City that you didn't have in Vietnam?
39:42Like I said, diversity. Diversity, yeah. Also, different people, different fashions, different personalities that Vietnamese don't have. Oh, yeah, you did say that, yeah. Everyone in Vietnamese, we like or hate the same thing. And then also... I love that you said we like and hate the same thing. Yeah, we just don't have it. Now, I feel like every time I go back, I'm more American than Vietnamese. But when I come back here, I'm not American. I'm in the middle realm, you know? Do your friends and family in Vietnam feel like you've been Americanized? Yes. They say that all the time. Really? Yeah.
40:14I mean, starting off, I'm not that, I'm born and raised in Vietnam, but I always wanted to be like somewhere else for some reason. I don't know. I feel like I need something different. I cannot just love and hate the same thing. Well, you know what? You know how New York City has parades for every culture? Yeah. Do we have a Vietnamese parade? I don't think we do. I don't think we do either. But we do celebrate, you know, Lunar New Year. Right, exactly. So we do have, I heard that we have a very small community in the Bronx that we're hosting our own Lunar New Year. Oh, that's pretty cool. And then we don't call that Chinese New Year because we're different.
40:47I was going to ask you if it's the same. We call that T-E-T, TED Festival. Yeah, I heard of that. And I think they have a little bit of celebrations going on in the Bronx or some small community spread out in Brooklyn or something. I think. I've never been. I don't know. But yeah, that's our thing. I'm trying to Yeah so no No parade Because New York Is so good about Celebrating all the Different cultures And I usually cover Most of the parades And I'm trying to I don't think I've seen Yeah I feel like if people Move here More enough Like if If people keep moving Here a little bit more Yeah Then we gotta have Our own thing For sure But right now Maybe we're just So spread out We're not really like End of spot Or something So it's harder To get together Or to hosting something Or to make it like that Yeah Maybe I hosting Vietnamese day or something like that in my shop or something.
41:38I was going to say that. You know what? That's a good idea. Like some outside some banners and I don't know. Something advertising, something. Maybe a Vietnamese day. Maybe a young professional day. When is your lunar new year? Same day with Chinese New Year. So it's like January, February or something? Every year is different. Normally, it's January and February. Yeah. So it depends on the year. I know it's always cold. Yeah. It's always in the winter. Yeah. But it's not have a set day. Every year is changing. It's changing. Yes. But either it's in January or February. Do you also do an animal as the year of?
42:19Same. Same thing? But we have one animal different. We don't have rabbit. Oh, you don't have a rabbit? But we have a cat. Oh, wow. Yes. We have a cat age as the cat year. The Chinese don't have a cat. They have the rabbit. But everything else is the same. That's interesting. I'm a monkey. I don't know what I am. It's very easy. You can look up later. Hey Siri, what am I? Exactly. What animal I am. Exactly. When you first moved here to New York City, were you overwhelmed? A little bit. For sure. I'm not overwhelmed with the people or the traffic or anything like that, but I'm overwhelming with like, I feel like everyone here, they have their schedule.
43:07Everyone's a little busy. Everyone's always trying to get from 1.8 to 1.8 and stuff. And I would feel like maybe all of these people, they all have figuring out their purpose, their dream and everything. And here I am, I'm so new. What is my purpose? Will I ever find it here? Will I like it here? Or will I resent it? That's the thing. because when I look at people walking by or in a cafe or something, I feel like everyone is just so purposeful. You know, like, it seems like they're all figuring out. And then I'm just, that's when I was, I worry I was falling behind. Aww. Yeah. Or do I, will I find friends?
43:43Will I... I don't think you have an issue with that at all. Actually, you do. You do. You find some... I'm easy to talk to. Yeah. I'm very open-minded and everything. But to find someone that you feel like you want to spend your freshest time Yeah. to get to know, to become a friend, then it's hard. It's just like when you're dating. Going to a date is not a problem. But find your person and want to commit is the problem. Real quick, you know, it's interesting about when you become older too. Yes. And to make friends that are really best friends at this age is different. It's not, you know, it's harder.
44:20That's why older friends you make when you're in college. In high school, you don't care. Well, moving to New York older, for me, and I met some really good friends here that you know that I even you know my friend Chris and Emily Beck they know who they are and just to I'll just tie this up real quick I had that conversation like gosh at this age to meet best friends is so unique now you know yeah it's a rarity but anyway no no no I have the same exactly like experiences too So I still don't have a I don't find my domain a best friend. But then my two best friends that actually live in Dallas, Texas.
45:02Oh, nice. And we love each other enough. We constantly visit each other. And I met them in Vietnam. And somehow we all moved to America at the same time. I moved in 2014. They moved 2013. Nice. I know. And I'm like, I would thought I would never see them again. That's really sweet. You know, you have your best friends and that's the quick plane ride compared to Vietnam. Yes. You know, so that's. But then other than that, I make my little bit circle small, but we hang out sometimes. We can play sometimes and stuff. But, you know, some people good to talk about something when other people good to talk about other things.
45:34Yeah. You know what New York is good about, too? I mean, you have your husband, which is amazing. You know, I, you know, well, I don't really. It's a long story. But that's another podcast. But it's nice to. This city is great also to be alone in. Yeah. Like, I see people that say they're lonely. I don't know how people could be lonely in New York City, in my opinion. I mean, there's just the city itself is incredible. It takes up so much time. I think maybe because of the mindset. Yeah. Maybe they don't know what they're looking for. They end up looking for nothing. And then they end up looking to be lonely.
46:14Yeah. Yeah, I just never felt that way, you know? Let's do some. Go ahead. What were you going to say? Oh, no, no, no. I forgot. I'm Dory. I just say something. I was like, wait, I forgot. You just cracked me up. It definitely dropped me. Dropped somewhere. I love it. Okay, so let's do some quickfire round questions. Coffee iced or hot? You can do both. Oh, good answer. You can do both. We're offering both. In the winter, hot, yes. In the rest of the season, ice. Nice. Vietnam or NYC food, if you had to pick one for life? NYC. Yeah. Oh, really? Because I can eat any other cuisine. I love Italian.
46:55I love Greek. I love Korean. I love Japanese. I can find anyone else. Yeah, nice. Very nice. I can also fly to Houston or California if I really want to be like Vietnamese, Vietnamese food. Oh, really? Yes. Nice. Vietnamese population. Do you ever go to Florida? I go sometimes. I love Vietnam. Do you have any good Vietnam places in Florida? Not really. But I love Florida for different reasons. The weather, the beach. That's where I'm from. The chill vibe. Yeah. Wow. I love Florida. Yeah, my mom and dad and my twin brother and my older brother and all their families, they're all down there. What's one word that describes New York to you?
47:39Awesome. I like it. Yes, awesome. I love it. What's one word that describes Vietnam to you? Hot. Really? The weather. Is it always hot? Tropical? Very. Yeah, I guess so. Miami, Florida. Yeah. In the summer. Yeah. Hotter. More humid. Okay. Just remember that. Your face is just kidding. You're just so intense about it. I love it. First thing from, I hear like hot. You're like Miami. Because I've been, I worked in Miami and everything. July in Miami. Yeah. Time 10. Oh my gosh. Time 10. Not just that. Time 10. Well, I mean, living in Florida for so long before I moved here, you know, and I lived in Orlando for a long time.
48:22And that's in the... It's super hot. It's in the center of the state. People think it's on water. It's not. In the summertime, it is like a frying pan. It's insane. I've been to Orlando for Disney World in the wrong month. So that's why I know. Yeah. When I go home to see my parents, it's usually in January, but I went last May. I'm sorry, when was it? Last June for their anniversary. I went there in July. Yeah. Because I didn't know. Oh. I thought I died. Summer storms. Yes. Oh my gosh. Like crazy summer storms. Biggest NYC habit you picked up? Spending money. You'd even hesitate either. You're like spending money.
49:10You can't stop. That's true. That's very true. You can't stop. You walk out the door, mine is$50. Yeah. For breathing the air. Yeah. True. Something you still miss from Vietnam Daily Booth Yeah Sweet coffee or strong black coffee None of it In the middle Two more questions One NYC neighborhood that feels most you West Village You know what In my head I was like I feel that for me too I do love that. I want to live in that neighborhood too. It's just so easy to walk around. You have a beautiful brownstone. You have a little shop. It's like a little community in a big city. It's very chill. Yes.
50:00Even when you're busy, crazy in Midtown and you're in Westfield, you're just like, okay. It's a totally different vibe. It's so different. And it's so beautiful. And you go to water. You can just lay down and read your book in a good day. Well, that's the only thing you don't spend money. Other than that I'm not sure Do you take the subway though? I do Is that the only way you travel? Yes Okay You know I have one more question If you weren't doing Kawaii coffee What would you be doing instead? I would open An awesome Nail salon Oh nice But like for private Bougie Super high-end Nail salon Nice For privacy For women Relaxing And more like You could be at the spot for a therapy.
50:47Nice. For that. For the beauty and the therapy itself. Nice. Not regular salon. Like super awesome. Very cool. Yeah. You know, I think this is an important question. You know, I didn't think about this till now, but when I have females on the show, I like to ask them about the subway, how they feel about the subway, you know, because that's how we travel. That's how I travel. As a man, you know, it's a different world. I don't have to worry about life in general of being, you know, just the things you deal with as a woman, you know? So, you know, and I like a woman's perspective on the subway.
51:22Yeah. What do you think? I think first time when I moved here, when I have to use it, I was shocked. Yeah. Because I thought it was like very new, like even futuristic subway. Because when I think about New York, I'm just like. Oh, that's right. I never thought of that. Oh, my God. Maybe it's going to be very fabulous. Yeah. Oh, my God. And you go to the subway and you're like, what is this? That's so funny. And you see like, oh, you have Brad on the side. I'm like, this is great. And then, yeah. But then you start to get used to it. And then you just blend it in. But I do a little bit different these days.
51:54That I have to take off my headphones and stuff. Because I wanted to watch my surroundings. Because with all the incidents, people pushed into the chain. So then I always back, back, back. When before, I would care less. So that's the only issue that I would think. And also, when it's a little bit late at night, I'd be like, maybe I take an Uber. Yeah, I think that's smart for a woman, you know. But I mean, yeah. But in general, that's pretty much the only way you travel. Yes. I love taking subway. And it's cheap. It's not cheap this day anymore. But it's take you for a WB, avoiding traffic. And I'm telling you, even one day, I'm rich.
52:29Beelty rich as you're taking the subway. Yeah. Yes. Well, I mean, I'd love to hear this. You know, I mean, there's pros and cons to the subway. But in my opinion, for the most part, I think it's the way to travel. Yes. If you're not taking a subway, you're not going to get too much away around New York City. Like, come on. That's how you do it. Well, thanks for your perspective, because I think it's important for women to hear. That's why I hate it when influencer. Oh, my God, I'm going to take a taxi. Oh, no way. What do you mean you're taking a subway? Girl, where are you coming from? Ohio? Everyone taking a subway, girl.
53:03Relax. You're not that big deal. Yeah, yeah. Well, you know, I think a woman's perspective is very important. So thank you for that. Okay, let's close it up. I mean, I had the best time chatting with you. I can't wait to come to your coffee shop and chat and hang out. Meet your husband hopefully one day. Yes, oh my God. If you're going to love him too, he's like an angel. Oh, that's awesome. So Kim, before we let you go, we here at the New Yorkers podcast want to know what it means to you, Kim Lee, to be a New Yorker. I think, you know, what does it mean for me to be a New Yorker, right? Right.
53:38I tell you something funny. Every time when I go to Europe, it feels amazing when you say you're from New York. Yeah. And you have to watch people's reactions. It's like, wow. Like, yeah, you know what? When you be in the greatest city on earth, it brings you so much things. It inspires your dream. You meet the coolest people. And it's also, New York already has a reputation to be awesome. So the fact that you are able to say you're from New York, that's already the huge reputation when you go to the world. So I think that's what it means to me. Oh, I love it. That's really cool. I love it. So Kim, thank you for joining us today on this episode of the New Yorkers podcast.
54:18Why don't you let everyone know where they can find you on social media and your business or whatever you want to tell us. You can find me and my shop and get awesome Vietnamese coffee at Kawaii Cafe, 117 Christopher Street, West Village, New York City. And what's just your social media, your Instagram? My Instagram is kawaii cafe. You spell exactly like Hawaii, just with a K203. And that's my social media. And the same thing for TikTok. Very nice. Once again, everybody, I'm your host, Kelly Kopp, also known as New York City Kopp, across all my social media. Yeah, please like and subscribe to the New Yorker podcast.
54:55And you can follow the New Yorker on social media at the New Yorker podcast. you can leave a rating or a comment everyone to let us know how you are enjoying the show we read through all your comments and dms so please we would love to hear from you thank you kmore underscore one one two one one courtney newman and laurie doris foster for your kind words on the last episode if you want to be featured at the end of an episode leave a rating on Apple Podcasts or a comment on Spotify. But what's really awesome is, you know, the people that I just mentioned are awesome. And I've actually spent a lot of time with Lori Foster and her husband over the years.
55:37They come here and visit New York City and we become really good friends too. And I always joke around with them. I'm like, it's Lori Foster and the Foster kids. Oh. That's funny. Anyway, go ahead. And thank you, Deborah Robinson, Mary Woodwine, and All Day NYC for your comment on the Facebook. You know what, All Day NYC? I mean, everybody's amazing. And All Day NYC has an awesome Instagram account, too, on social media. I have no problem. Yeah. Have a lovely day, everyone. And we will see you next time. Goodbye.
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From the publisher
In this episode; Kelly is joined by: Kim Lee! She is the owner and founder of Kawaii Coffee, and an immigrant from Vietnam.
Kim recently opened her coffee shop in the west village, which had been a dream of hers for a while. After attending business school and working in midtown at a nail salon, she decided her next step was to run her own business.
Kelly asks Kim about moving from Vietnam to the United States. How the culture differs, what was hard to adjust to, what was more similar than you might think, and what it's like starting over in a completely new country.
Kim talks about the coffee culture in Vietnam. She tells us how life is much slower there: people go to their favorite coffee shops at around 7 in the morning and wait two full hours for it to drip while they are there! She talks about how they use condensed milk as a sweetener, and the different reasons Vietnamese people go out for coffee. Kelly asks Kim what parts of that culture she hoped to bring with her to New York.
Kelly asks Kim about Vietnamese culture in New York. They talk about the food, different events, and how Kim can contribute to that culture.
Finally, Kelly asks Kim some quick fire questions about coffee, culture, and where she likes to live.
But above all else; Kim Lee is a New Yorker.
Kelly's Social Media
@NewYorkCityKopp
Kim's Social Media
@Kawaiicafe203
You can find her shop here: 117 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014
Jae's Social Media
@Studiojae170
Chapters
- (00:00:00) - New Yorkers Podcast
- (00:02:25) - Vietnam is a dream to visit
- (00:04:45) - Living in the Biggest City in Vietnam
- (00:06:09) - Vietnam entrepreneur opens her first shop in Australia
- (00:08:33) - Toronto is more diverse than New York
- (00:10:18) - Japanese women start a nail salon in NYC
- (00:13:04) - Where to Start a Coffee Business in the West Village
- (00:15:48) - How to get from the Bronx to the West Village
- (00:16:06) - What Is Vietnamese Coffee?
- (00:19:23) - How Vietnamese Coffee Is Adjusting to Americans
- (00:23:01) - Vietnam's First Taste Test in America
- (00:26:01) - Kawaii Cafe, 117 Christopher Street
- (00:26:39) - The cafe in New York's West Village
- (00:30:20) - How New Yorkers Are Helpful
- (00:32:16) - The Space Where My Business Is Located
- (00:35:34) - Viral Coffee Shop
- (00:37:19) - Vietnamese living in the United States
- (00:39:06) - What do you feel like that New York City has that Vietnamese doesn
- (00:41:25) - How to say 'Same Year' in Chinese
- (00:42:21) - Married Vietnamese People Talk About New York
- (00:45:23) - How to Not Be Lonely In New York
- (00:45:57) - Vietnam vs New York
- (00:47:35) - Vietnamis talk about life in NYC
- (00:49:49) - Teens Talk About The Subway
- (00:52:36) - "A Woman's Perspective On Her Husband"
- (00:52:55) - What It Means To Be A New Yorker

