COMMUNITY & CULTURE
20 PEOPLE TO KNOW
MUNSOK SO
President and CEO
Drunken Fish Sushi
Restaurant and Lounge
Travelling to the United States with his family when he
was just 6 years old, Munsok So considers this country to
be his home. More specifically, St. Louis. Born in Seoul,
Korea, his parents came to the states seeking better
medical care for his sister, later deciding to stay.
Munsok made his first venture into business ownership
just out of college when he and a friend opened a bar.
Thirteen years ago, he ventured in a new direction after
visiting sushi lounges on the West Coast. “I thought, ‘Why
can’t we take that concept to the Midwest?’” he said.
He opened the first Drunken Fish in Westport Plaza in 2003.
His first goals were to feel like the business was succeeding,
and to feel happy with his employees. Six months later,
it was extremely popular and an opportunity arose for a
prime corner location in the Central West End. He opened
his second restaurant within a year of the first one. Now,
with six locations in the Kansas City and St. Louis markets,
including the newest one in Ballpark Village, Munsok said
he attributes a lot of his success to luck.
“I made smart choices, but a lot of it was that I happened
to be in the right place at the right time,” he said. “I was
young and naïve when I first started in business, but
sometimes that drives you to learn and do more.”
Munsok graduated from St. Louis University with a
clinical laboratory science degree, but basically had no
business background. “I’m learning as I go,” he said. “You
listen to what people want, you offer fresh product.” So
far, so good. He’s working toward owning 50 Drunken
Fish someday.
“And I love livi