About Us
ABOUT US
Imonè – A Taste of Korean Home in Zürich
A warm Korean meal, just like Auntie makes it.
Imonè is a cozy Korean restaurant tucked away in Zürich Binz, serving heartwarming, home-style dishes that bring the essence of Korean comfort food to life. The name Imonè (이모네) comes from the Korean word “imo” (이모), meaning “aunt on your mother’s side.” But in Korean culture, imo is much more than a family title — she’s a figure of warmth, care, and generosity, someone who feeds you like her own and always makes you feel welcome, whether you’re family or not.
That’s the spirit we bring to every dish at Imonè — food prepared with sincerity, served with heart, and meant to comfort, nourish, and connect.
Meet the Founder – Namyoung Hwang, or just “Imo”
Behind Imonè is Namyoung Hwang — lovingly known by many of our guests simply as “Imo.”
She arrived in Zürich in 2009 with more than just a suitcase; she brought with her the memories, flavors, and soul of her Korean heritage.
Though she never attended a formal culinary school, Namyoung learned the art of cooking in the most meaningful way — through family. Inspired by her grandfather, aunt, and especially her mother, she was raised in a home where food was never just about sustenance, but about love.
In Korea, people don’t just ask “How are you?” — they ask “Have you eaten?” Because making sure someone has eaten is making sure they’re cared for. That deep-rooted belief is what Namyoung has carried into Imonè — that food is a powerful language of care and connection.
After settling in Switzerland, she longed for a place where that kind of Korean hospitality could be shared again — where people, Korean or not, could come together around a table and feel at home.
Imonè is the realization of that vision:
Not a fancy or formal place, but one that is honest, comforting, and welcoming —
just like a Korean auntie’s table, where every guest is fed well, treated kindly, and leaves with a full heart.