Back in 2017, when chefs Danny Lee and Scott Drewno met in Washington, D.C, there were few chefs who were bringing Asian cuisine, both Chinese and Korean, to the forefront. Nearly 8 years later, and the duo has launched 7 restaurants under 3 different brands, CHIKO, Anju, I Egg You and one catering service District Catering. While not all of them are Asian eateries, that’s what they’ve built their reputation on.

And the two chefs have been nominated for a 2025 James Beard Award as Outstanding Restaurateur, which honors chefs and entrepreneurs who demonstrate creativity, integrity and building community.

Chinese-Korean counter Chiko first opened in Barracks Row in 2017, marking the first of several successful restaurants (Anju, I Egg You) from chefs Scott Drewno and Danny Lee’s The Fried Rice Collective. Now, with five fast-casual Chikos in D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and California (what Drewno calls their “snow bird” spot), its first full-service outpost is ready to roll. The 3,000-square-foot space in Sterling, opening in mid-November, features a full bar and patio (46308 Cranston Street, Potomac Falls, Virginia).

Chiko co-founders Danny Lee and Scott Drewno wanted to do something completely new with the tasting menu at their award-winning Asian counter in Capitol Hill, which is to say they wanted to cook pancakes fit for a king.

The chefs debuted a new royal menu this week for their four-seat prix fixe, introducing two large format dishes — one Chinese and one Korean, of course — taken from the regal kitchens spanning as for back as the late 1300s. Both of the new dishes include an Asian wrapper.

One of the most exciting openings of the summer is—yes, really—fast-casual. Of course this isn’t just any restaurant serving food on metal trays. Chiko, which debuts tonight on Barracks Row, brings together a mix of Chinese and Korean flavors from three esteemed industry vets: Mandu chef Danny Lee, former The Source chef Scott Drewno, and Matchbox co-founder Drew Kim.