Today we’d like to introduce you to Okay Inak
Hi Okay, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After working for many years in 3 Michelin-star restaurants like Eleven Madison Park and Per Se, I dreamed of opening my own restaurant. The pandemic deeply shaped my path. I lost my mother during the height of the pandemic and, due to travel restrictions, couldn’t attend her funeral or even visit her grave. That loss profoundly impacted me and strengthened my resolve to honor her memory through food. To save money for my dream, I even worked as a truck driver, staying afloat until restaurants reopened. Finally, with my life savings, I opened Sora Craft Kitchen, a small Mediterranean-Asian fusion restaurant in downtown LA.
Sora Craft Kitchen is more than a restaurant. It’s a tribute to my roots, my journey, and the lessons passed down by my mother. The name “Sora” reflects the harmony I strive to achieve between Mediterranean and Asian cuisines, crafting innovative dishes that tell a story and invite exploration.
At Sora, my mission is to democratize extraordinary dining by transforming everyday comfort food into something exceptional. Every dish celebrates seasonality, sustainability, and cultural heritage, weaving together ancient techniques like lacto-fermentation and slaked lime preservation to create flavors that are bold yet approachable.
Rooted in my mother’s teachings, Sora embodies a zero-waste philosophy and a commitment to environmental stewardship. Our small garden, enriched with kitchen compost, provides fresh greens and peppers, exemplifying how traditional wisdom can meet modern dining.
At Sora, I work alone in an open kitchen, where every step of the cooking process is shared with my guests. This setup creates a transparent, deeply personal experience and reflects my belief in the power of food to unite, inspire, and make an impact. Sora is a place where food becomes a bridge: connecting cultures, honoring the past, and creating moments of joy for every guest.
Sora Craft Kitchen is my heart and soul, a celebration of heritage, sustainability, and connection.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been anything but smooth, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. Opening and running Sora Craft Kitchen has been a journey of resilience and determination, shaped by personal and professional challenges.
One of the hardest parts was losing my mother during the height of the pandemic. Travel restrictions meant I couldn’t say goodbye or attend her funeral, and that loss has profoundly shaped my life and my culinary philosophy. I channel her teachings into my work, honoring her memory through the sustainable and traditional cooking methods she passed down to me.
Financially, the road has also been steep. My wife and I invested our life savings into Sora, and with no big investors, we had to handle everything ourselves. From writing the business plan to learning food photography and managing social media, we became a two-person team tackling every aspect of the business. Since our budget was limited, we even did most of the repairs and improvements in the space ourselves. It was a crash course in perseverance and resourcefulness.
Physically, the challenges were no less daunting. Shortly after opening the restaurant, just as things were beginning to go well, I had an accident that required surgery and a long recovery. I had to close the restaurant for three months, which was devastating. During that time, I still had to pay rent, other regular expenses, and substantial medical bills. It was a difficult period, but it also gave me time to reflect and refine the menus, ensuring Sora would reopen stronger than ever.
Despite all this, I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything. Every challenge has been a lesson, every setback an opportunity to grow. I believe the struggles have given Sora its soul, and they’ve made me more committed than ever to sharing my passion for food with the world.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Sora Craft Kitchen is more than just a restaurant; it’s a reflection of my journey, heritage, and philosophy as a chef. We specialize in Mediterranean-Asian fusion cuisine, bringing ancient recipes and techniques into a modern context. Each dish is crafted with a deep respect for tradition, sustainability, and the stories behind the ingredients.
What sets Sora apart is the way we integrate sustainability into every aspect of the kitchen. We focus on zero-waste practices, using every part of an ingredient creatively: whether it’s turning yogurt water into a flavorful pickles or composting kitchen scraps to enrich the soil in our backyard garden. That garden provides fresh herbs and peppers that come full circle back into our dishes. This approach, rooted in timeless techniques I learned from my mother, is the backbone of what we do.
Our menu is built around seasonality and high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. For example, dishes like İçli Köfte (a soft, boiled bulgur shell stuffed with seasoned meat and topped with hot butter infused with Aleppo pepper) and Çorti Taplaması (a soup made from lacto-fermented cabbage) reflect my commitment to preserving lesser-known recipes while making them approachable and exciting for a modern audience.
Sora’s open kitchen design is another feature that makes us unique. I work alone in the kitchen, and this setup allows me to share the entire cooking process with guests. It’s an intimate and transparent experience where guests can see their food being prepared with care and precision.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how Sora has become a place where people from all walks of life feel welcome. It’s more than just a dining experience; it’s a gathering space that unites people through food. During festivals, I’ve seen guests from politically divided backgrounds come together over shared dishes, proving the universal language of food.
I want readers to know that every dish at Sora is crafted with passion, purpose, and a deep respect for the ingredients and the people who enjoy them. It’s not just about feeding people. It’s about creating moments of connection, curiosity, and joy through food. Sora Craft Kitchen is a place where every meal tells a story, and every guest becomes a part of that story.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Los Angeles is its diversity. It’s a melting pot of cultures, traditions, and cuisines, which provides endless inspiration for a chef like me. Walking through the streets, exploring local markets, and meeting people from all over the world who share their stories and food is incredibly enriching. The city’s vibrant energy, openness to creativity, and strong support for small businesses have been instrumental in shaping Sora Craft Kitchen. Here, I feel encouraged to take risks, innovate, and stay true to my roots while connecting with a global community.
However, the most challenging aspect of Los Angeles is gaining visibility as a small, independent business. Coming from New York, I didn’t have an established network here, and without a large budget, I can’t afford the PR resources that bigger restaurant groups and well-financed ventures rely on. Small family-run businesses like mine often depend solely on word of mouth, making it harder to stand out in such a competitive environment.
Additionally, the city’s high cost of living, rent, and operating expenses can feel overwhelming, especially for restaurants like mine that prioritize sustainability and quality over maximizing profits. Navigating bureaucracy and logistical hurdles can also take valuable time away from the creative and culinary aspects of running a restaurant.
That said, LA locals make all the difference. Their loyalty, enthusiasm, and belief in authenticity give small businesses like mine a fighting chance. They’re the reason I stay inspired to push forward. Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t trade this city for anything. It’s a place where I can share my story, connect with people in meaningful ways, and be part of a community that values creativity and sincerity. That’s something truly special.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soracraftkitchen/?hl=en
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sora-craft-kitchen-los-angeles?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tKNGXYcRanag9Afz7
