#357 Liam Lee | Ronin Omakase

#357 Liam Lee | Ronin Omakase

From Conversation with a chef by Jo Rittey

May 13, 2026 · 43 min

About this episode

Liam Lee discusses his journey in Korean omakase and the challenges of hospitality culture.

On a wet, gloomy Melbourne day, Ronin Omakase was unexpectedly warm. Despite its concrete walls, brutalist lines and high ceilings, the room is inviting with shelves lined with house made ferments; persimmon for desserts, wombok and white kimchi, citrus cheong and fruit vinegars quietly developing behind the counter. Liam Lee cooks directly in front of ten diners, tasting, adjusting and guiding the pace of the meal as it unfolds. After more than a decade cooking in Korea and Australia, including formative years feeding seventy soldiers three meals a day in the Korean army and leading kitchens at Studio Amaro, Firebird and Waterside Hotel, Liam is introducing his own version of Korean omakase to Melbourne. The menu reflects his childhood, training and values: deeply Korean in flavour, grounded in Victorian produce, and carefully balanced so that ten courses feel generous but never overwhelming. In our conversation, he spoke candidly about the pressures of Korean hospitality culture, the challenge of building a career while raising a young family, and his determination to create a kitchen, and an experience, defined by respect, consistency and care.

People in this episode

Host: Jo Rittey

Guest: Liam Lee

Topics covered

  • Korean cuisine
  • omakase
  • hospitality culture
  • family
  • cooking techniques

Keywords

  • Korean omakase
  • Melbourne dining
  • Liam Lee
  • hospitality
  • cooking

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ronin Omakase, Studio Amaro, Firebird, Waterside Hotel

Places: Melbourne, Korea, Victoria

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