Meet Joshua Koo | Pit Master

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joshua Koo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Before I started up AshersRealBBQ I was a full time employee of a hospital in LA. I performed over 200 exams on our busiest days and commuted 2 hours one way and often times forced to skip lunch to see patients. I was working to the point of insanity. One day I decided that enough was enough and I could no longer commit my self to a job that I felt was not worth the time and effort. So I spoke with my wife and we discussed my passions and what might be worth a try. I have always loved cooking and BBQ. Since I have already been honing my skills in BBQ since I was in middle school it seemed like the perfect fit. so we decided to just go for it!

We picked the name AshersRealBBQ after my son Asher, and Real BBQ because California is not really known for smoked meats and Id like to change that. I feel that my BBQ can really make an impact and I am here to try.

What should our readers know about your business?
At AshersRealBBQ we use the old school time tested methods of smoking meats. we use actual lump coal and actual wood splits to fire our meats and smoke them. So many people have taken the hard work and craft out of smoked meats with the use of pellet smokers or easy light charcoal which comes with fillers or even gas flavor which over time will penetrate into the meat resulting in an inferior product. I dont use pre mixed rubs as id like the taste and flavor to be truly our own. We also pride our self’s in striving to always improve, no matter how amazing or seemingly perfect the brisket comes out there is always room for improvement.

As a business we are actually still a very young company. Although I have started BBQing and smoking meats at a very young age and have had the idea to start a BBQ business for ages, I never dove into it. I fell into the “trap” of work a stable 9-5 and make good income (for some one else). so with that said I think our biggest hurdle was actually starting the company. It was not an easy hurdle to overcome but with my wife who supported me throughout the entire process and gave me the necessary push when needed helped me get over it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
LA is such a vast city with so much to do ( especially for foodies! ). It would be very hard to recommend something without any of their input on what they might want or if they are feeling adventurous and want to try something new. some of my favorites in LA would be Chinchikurin and Marugame Monzo both in little tokyo if you enjoy okonomiyaki and fresh udon. if you love sushi out in the valley there is Asanebo which is on the pricy side but is one of my favorite sushi places to eat at, I also proposed to my wife there. If you are in downtown LA Bestia has some of the best food in that area… and the list goes on and on, there is so much to eat and do in LA depending on your interests and hobbies it would be impossible to name them all

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Id like to give a shotout to my wife Michelle Koo. Without her none of this would be possible. When I first started AshersRealBBQ I was so nervous. I have never attempted to start my own business before and was struck with analysis paralysis. With out her cheering my on and pushing me through my hurdles I don’t think I would have ever even stepped past the “starting line”

Website: www.ashersrealbbq.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashersrealbbq/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ashers-real-bbq-norwalk