Chef Sean Baek’s two-decade-long culinary journey has taken him to Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and multiple other Middle Eastern countries, where he worked as a private chef and as the brand executive chef for luxury Japanese chain Katsuya. The Korea native’s first restaurant job, though, was in comparatively humble Cherry Creek, where Baek cooked at the long-closed Mao Asian Bistro after moving to Aurora at 16 years old. In 2022, Baek returned to Colorado hoping to establish a business of his own.

Baekga, an eatery that’s been serving out of Lowry Town Center since May, is just that. The restaurant offers a menu of Korean fare that’s as delicious as it is versatile. For dinner, keep it casual with an order of pajeon—a thin, crispy-chewy pancake with whole scallions that Baek says is like Korean pizza—or go whole hog with a spread of small plates and a shareable portion of thinly sliced, red-pepper-laced pork belly and bean sprouts that’s cooked tableside. Midday offerings include protein-and-rice lunch specials with a smattering of accoutrements, such as daikon soup, Korean veggie fritters, and pickled cucumber—feasts that inspire diners to come back around.

5280 September 2024
More From The Issue

Read More: The 10 Best Korean Restaurants in Denver and Aurora

This article was originally published in 5280 September 2024.
Ethan Pan
Ethan Pan
Ethan Pan is 5280’s associate food editor, writing and editing for the print magazine and 5280.com. Follow his dining/cooking Instagram @ethans_pan.