Cairo – Maii Abdo:
From Tanta, the story began—not as a fleeting idea nor as a conventional restaurant, but as a genuine experience built through patience and continuous experimentation.
“Am Young” emerged as a distinctive project that succeeded in presenting Korean cuisine through a different lens, blending original Asian flavors with an Egyptian touch, to become one of the most notable rising names in Egypt’s Asian food scene.
The journey of “Am Young” was shaped by years of trials, especially in developing sauces and flavor combinations, until the brand arrived at a unique taste identity that now defines its offerings.
What sets the experience apart is not only the recipes themselves, but the philosophy behind them: delivering Korean food that preserves its authentic character while remaining accessible and appealing to the Egyptian palate.
The roots of the idea date back seven to eight years, when its founders lived in Saudi Arabia and were exposed to a wide range of international cuisines, from Indian and Chinese to Korean.
This exposure sparked a deep interest in Asian food, particularly Korean flavors, and led to repeated home experiments aimed at recreating and refining these dishes using custom-made sauces and blends.
An early attempt to launch a partnership-based project in Egypt did not materialize due to circumstances at the time, but the idea never faded.The real turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic. With work slowing down, the decision was made to revive the project independently and on a modest scale, starting from a home kitchen.
Marketing relied primarily on a Facebook group that operated for a full year, supported by a strong family effort that involved all members in different stages of preparation and operation.
During this period, customer interaction played a decisive role, as daily reviews and photos shared by clients highlighted the quality, taste, and uniqueness of the food, reinforcing confidence in the brand.A major pillar of “Am Young” is its sauces, which underwent nearly two months of continuous testing before reaching their final form. Five core sauces were selected to serve as the foundation of the restaurant’s identity.
The main challenge was achieving a precise balance: presenting Korean flavors known for their sweet-and-sour and spicy profiles, while adjusting proportions to suit Egyptian tastes—both for Asian food enthusiasts and first-time explorers. This balance has become one of the brand’s most recognized strengths.Following the initial success, the project took a more professional step with the opening of the first “Am Young” branch in Tanta, operating as a cloud kitchen focused on delivery only.
This was followed by the opening of a second branch in Nasr City two months ago, maintaining the same concept, standards, and quality.“Am Young” positions itself as a specialized Asian kitchen, focusing primarily on noodles, spicy dishes, and modern Asian-inspired recipes. Its competitive edge lies in bold flavors, a clear crunch, balanced spiciness, and freshly prepared meals cooked to order.
The brand’s message is straightforward and consistent: it is not just food, but a different taste experience.The menu reflects this philosophy through a diverse selection that includes chili mango sauce, sweet chili, sweet and sour, orange sauce, barbecue, and curry, alongside crispy chicken served with noodles and sautéed vegetables.
Additional offerings include various spring rolls—vegetable, cheese, and hot dog—as well as innovative salads such as ranch, spicy pineapple, hot cheddar, and Thousand Island.The name “Am Young” was chosen to be distinctive and creative, and its rapid acceptance by the public came even before the launch of extensive marketing campaigns, underscoring the strength of the product itself.
Looking ahead, the team behind the brand plans to expand across Egypt while maintaining the same level of quality and consistency, believing that true success lies in well-crafted sauces, fresh ingredients, and honesty in delivering the experience.“Am Young” does not simply offer a meal; it presents a model of a homegrown project that started within a family setting and evolved through knowledge, expertise, and collaboration into a brand with a clear vision for the future.
With carefully developed flavors, strict quality standards, and thoughtful marketing, the restaurant continues to establish itself as a promising venture that proves real success begins with passion and is sustained through perseverance.
