Inspiring Conversations with Ogi Jiimen of Aji Mori House

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ogi Jiimen.

Hi Ogi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My Journey: From Two Suitcases to Building My American Dream

Odonchimeg “Ogi” Jiimen — From Two Suitcases to the American Dream

My name is Odonchimeg Jiimen, but most people know me as Ogi.
I arrived in California in 2005 with just two suitcases and a dream to learn English. What I thought would be temporary became the life I never imagined. Today, I live in Los Angeles with my husband and our two beautiful children.

I always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but when I first arrived, I didn’t know where to begin. I worked seven years as a server at a Japanese restaurant, learning the business from the ground up. My boss saw my passion and gave me the opportunity to take over the restaurant Sushi Koo marking the true beginning of my journey.
To succeed in America, I knew I had to understand the system. While managing my restaurant and raising my son, I enrolled in and graduated from law school. It was one of the hardest periods of my life, especially while my husband was working in Mongolia and I was balancing everything alone. But it taught me resilience, strength, and self-belief.

Since then, my husband and I have opened six restaurants and sold three. I also helped and consulted over 22 Mongolian entrepreneurs to launch their businesses in the U.S.
Curious and fearless, I’ve never been afraid to try something new.
During COVID, I created my own sauce brand, Aji Mori Sauce, inspired by the flavors my customers loved.

One of our biggest dreams was to own our own commercial property and in 2023, that dream became reality. We purchased our first building and created
Aji Mori House Omakase, a modern fine-dining experience inspired by my Mongolian roots, where there is no ocean. After two years of challenges, permits, and delays, we finally opened our doors on November 13, 2024.

After interviewing 32 chefs, I found someone who truly matched my vision Chef Joshua Jung, now the head chef of Aji Mori House. Seeing this dream come to life still feels surreal.

Through every challenge, one truth remains: no one succeeds alone. My husband’s unwavering support, the love of my children, my mother’s help raising them while I built my businesses, and the strength of my team, friends, and community made everything possible. Every success I’ve achieved belongs to the people who stood beside me.

When I look back at my journey from two suitcases to multiple businesses, real estate ownership, and a fine-dining omakase restaurant, I see proof that the American Dream is real. It simply requires courage, sacrifice, and consistency. And if there are seven days in a week, I proudly work eight.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was never a smooth road. Building a business especially as an immigrant, a mom, and a first-generation entrepreneur comes with constant challenges. Examples :
Getting permits, construction, dealing with unexpected delays, not understanding many systems in the beginning, managing a team, and trying to grow a business all at the same time can be emotionally and physically exhausting.

There were many moments when I felt overwhelmed or tired, especially during the years when I was in law school while running a restaurant and raising my kids.

Also – were times when I questioned myself, and times when my husband and I almost gave up on big projects like purchasing our first building.
We asked oiurselves…What have we done?
We couldn’t open our doors for two years, and carrying all those expenses was incredibly tough.

But one thing always kept me moving forward: I knew that if I gave up, there were people relying on me ..my team and my family.
That responsibility became my strength.

Every setback pushed me to work harder, learn more, and grow tougher. The road was never smooth, but those challenges shaped who I am today and made the success even more meaningful.

We’ve been impressed with Aji Mori House, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

-Aji Mori House is a modern Omakase restaurant known for ultra-fresh fish flown from Japan and beautifully crafted dishes. We specialize in intimate fine dining and high-quality catering for events of any size.
What sets us apart is our focus on authenticity, premium ingredients, and warm hospitality.

-Aji Mori Sauce is Ogi’s signature brand a line of umami sauces that elevates everything it touches. Created from the flavors our Sushi Koo customers fell in love with, the brand was born directly from their feedback and passion. Today, Aji Mori Sauce is proudly sold through our website and on Amazon, reaching customers far beyond our restaurant walls.
What I’m most proud of is that this brand, which truly grew from our guests’ ideas, now represents quality, consistency, and heart bringing joy to people whether they experience it at our restaurants or enjoy it in their own homes.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
What might surprise people is that I’m not fearless — I’m simply willing to jump when I see an opportunity. Sometimes I even scare myself with how quickly I move. When something feels right, I don’t hesitate. I trust my instincts, take action fast, and I’m never afraid to fail. For me, growth comes from doing, not overthinking.
A funny thing most people don’t know is that my friends say I don’t always understand jokes right away. They usually have to explain them to me… lol.
Another thing people may not realize is how deeply personal my brand is to me. Every product and every service under the Aji Mori name carries our hard work, long hours, and dedication to quality and flavor. It’s not just a product — it’s a reflection of our standards, our care, and our heart.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ajimorihouse.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajimorihouse?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr