We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrew Joo and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Andrew, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My journey took me through some of the world’s most inspiring kitchens — from Spain and France, where I absorbed the discipline and artistry of European fine dining, to Montage Resort Group, where I refined the precision and consistency required to run a luxury resort kitchen. Later, at Roy Yamaguchi’s — a pioneering restaurant that brought Japanese-French cuisine to its peak — I saw firsthand how innovation and cultural fusion could create a sensation that redefined dining for an entire generation.
Those experiences convinced me that I wanted more than to follow someone else’s vision — I wanted to create my own. When the opportunity came to take over The Wild Artichoke, I saw more than just a business. I saw a canvas where I could bring together the rigor of Europe, the elegance of Montage, the creativity of Roy’s, and my own Korean-American heritage. My thought process was simple but ambitious: to build a home for authenticity, storytelling, and soulful food — a place where every plate could carry both memory and imagination.
What should our readers know about your business?
The Wild Artichoke is a boutique fine-dining restaurant in Yorba Linda, and to me, it is more than just a business — it is my story on a plate. What sets us apart is authenticity: every dish is prepared from scratch, every flavor is layered with intention, and every guest is treated as if they were dining in my home. I am most proud that our restaurant has become a place where people celebrate milestones, whether it’s anniversaries, proposals, or family gatherings, and that they trust us with those special memories.
Getting here was not easy. When I took over the restaurant, I faced the challenge of reinventing an already established name while staying true to my own identity. There were times of uncertainty, but I kept returning to the same guiding principle: if I were to open a restaurant in France, what kind of restaurant would it be? The answer is what you see today — French cuisine shaped by my identity, enriched with my training in Spain, France, Montage Resort Group, and Roy Yamaguchi’s Japanese French and filled with memories from my Korean heritage.
The lessons I’ve learned are simple but profound: stay true to your voice, honor your community, and never compromise on integrity. What I want the world to know about The Wild Artichoke is that we are not just cooking food — we are creating stories, preserving memories, and connecting cultures, all through the language of cuisine.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When friends visit Orange County, many of our regulars already bring them straight to The Wild Artichoke — because there aren’t many places quite like ours in this area. We’ve become a hidden gem where people introduce their out-of-town guests to something truly special. Beyond our restaurant, I’d still recommend exploring the charm of Old Towne Orange, watching the sunset in Laguna or Newport Beach, and enjoying the local wineries and art scene. But for many of our guests, the highlight of the trip is sharing a meal at our restaurant — because it’s not just food, it’s an experience you can’t easily find elsewhere.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe so much of my journey to the people who have guided and inspired me along the way. My father’s career in international trade first introduced me to the food and culture of Spain and Italy, sparking my fascination with Mediterranean flavors at an early age. I am grateful for my mentors at Montage Resort Group, who instilled discipline and precision, and at Roy Yamaguchi’s where I witnessed the artistry of Japanese-French cuisine at its peak.
On a more personal note, my grandmother — who prepared traditional desserts for the royal court at the end of the Joseon Dynasty — and my mother, who taught cooking as an instructor, gave me not only skills but also a sense of pride and continuity in the culinary arts. Their influence connects me deeply to my Korean heritage and reminds me that cooking is more than craft — it is culture, memory, and legacy.
Finally, I want to recognize my guests and community in Yorba Linda. Their encouragement, loyalty, and honest feedback have shaped The Wild Artichoke into what it is today. Every plate I create carries a piece of my story, but it is the community that gives it meaning.
Website: https://www.thewildartichoke.com
Instagram: @wildartichoke.yl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildartichokeyl
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-wild-artichoke-yorba-linda
Other: OpenTable https://www.opentable.com/r/the-wild-artichoke-yorba-linda
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Dining and Cooking