Restaurateur Sammy Jeon to open successful Korean-Chinese eatery Mr Lim in Mosman.

By ANNA USHER

A new restaurant with a menu offering a bold take on traditional favourites is set to replace the short-lived Smokey’s BBQ on Raglan St in Mosman.

Called ‘Mr Lim’, the Chinese/Korean restaurant will be led by Sammy Jeon, who owns a stable of restaurants in central-west NSW and the popular Potts Point eatery ‘Diana’.

Speaking exclusively to Mosman Collective, Mr Jeon said he expects to be open in July.

“The menu will be very similar to what we serve at our restaurant in Orange, which is also called Mr Lim,” he said.

“People can expect fresh, bold flavours and a fun atmosphere, which I am known for.”

He said locals can look forward to Korean Fried Chicken with twice-cooked chicken breast and chilli paste, Drunken Duck marinated in Chinese Shaoxing wine, Sammy’s Quick Tossed Scotch Fillet with spring onion, garlic, and chives, and Singapore-style Mud Crab.

“All of these dishes are tried and true favourites across my restaurants, and I can’t wait for Mosman locals to try them,” Mr Jeon said.

Mr Jeon’s journey to becoming a respected chef and businessman began in 2009 when he first arrived in Australia from South Korea as a backpacker and tourist.

A friend suggested he become a fruit picker in Orange to make some money and extend his visa, which led to a job picking grapes for Philip Shaw’s winery.

“The biggest turning point in my life was meeting Philip and Diana Shaw,” says Mr Jeon. “She is my mentor. She’s the one who introduced me to Australian wine and food. And she inspired the name for Diana Potts Point.”

One thing he hasn’t decided on is the addition of a weekend Karaoke machine in Mosman, which has become a Friday and Saturday night fixture in Potts Point and Orange.

“When we opened the first Mr Lim, I had been living in Orange for six years,” he said, “I was getting bored, and I wanted to have fun, so we bought a karaoke machine. I sang Uptown Girl on the first night – everyone was looking at me like, ‘What the hell is going on?’ I was so embarrassed. But the next song, As Long As You Love Me, by The Backstreet Boys, set the place off.”

“I’m not sure if Mosman locals like singing, though, so we will tread carefully before introducing Karaoke to Raglan St!”