A Korean-American couple’s small backyard home cafe gained unexpected popularity, only to close its doors just two months later. It wasn’t because there were no customers, but rather because too many people visited.
Recently, the Los Angeles Times introduced the story of Dotoree Coffee Roaster, opened in April at the La Mirada home of Korean-American couple Daniel Jung and Sun Park.
Imigrating from Seoul in 2000, the couple spent months preparing the cafe with the desire to create a space where family could work together and neighbors and guests could comfortably linger. They chose the name ‘Dotoree’ (acorn) to reflect that heart. Just like a small acorn that grows to nourish someone, they hoped it would become a comfortable resting place for people. Jung roasted his own coffee beans, while Park prepared dishes inspired by Korean bakeries, such as banana French toast and bagels.
The couple also decorated the backyard themselves, building wooden chairs and a traditional Korean wooden platform (pyeongsang) and setting up large parasols. Rather than a typical commercial cafe, the cozy atmosphere reminiscent of visiting a Korean family’s home yard caught the attention of visitors.
Jung shared, “Having served in church ministry for over 20 years, I realized that good coffee can sometimes make people happier than a pastor.”
Within two weeks of opening, dozens of people began visiting daily. Spreading through social media, visitors introduced Dotoree as “the coziest place in the LA area” and a “mini Korea.” Visitors increasingly went out of their way to visit from all over Los Angeles and Orange County, not just La Mirada.
The small backyard cafe quickly became a local landmark, and that is when the problems began.
The usually quiet residential street became congested with vehicles every weekend. Michael Wong, a resident living across the street, said, “Street parking spaces were completely filled with cars, and the neighborhood became bustling, especially on Saturday mornings.” Some residents even placed “No Parking” signs around their mailboxes.
Dotoree was not an unlicensed establishment. It operated under the Los Angeles County MEHKO (Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations) permit. MEHKO is a system allowing residents to run small-scale food businesses from home, with regulations such as limiting meal sales to 90 per week.
The stumbling block was the Homeowners Association (HOA) regulations. In June, the HOA demanded that operations cease, citing regulations that homes must be used strictly for residential purposes. While county officials explained that there were ways for Jung to continue operating, the couple chose to avoid conflict with neighbors rather than engage in legal battles. It was difficult for them to ignore the ongoing inconveniences their neighbors faced due to the cafe.
Ultimately, Dotoree closed on June 29, roughly two months after opening.
The couple shared on social media, “We started Dotoree because we wanted to create a comfortable space where people could rest for a while. As the number of guests grew, neighbors began experiencing inconveniences with parking and traffic, leading us to close. Thank you to everyone who visited and supported us.”
However, Dotoree is not disappearing completely.
The couple is currently looking for a separate commercial space rather than a home to reopen the cafe. They are also considering a reservation system accommodating a maximum of 20 people at a time to prevent sudden overcrowding.
After an unexpected success that led to its closure in just two months, Dotoree is now preparing for a second start beyond its backyard.
