Born and raised in South Korea, Bin An, retail director for Notre Dame Dining, has always had a love for different ethnic food and communal dining. This tradition sits at the core of his Korean ethnicity, where friends and family would gather around a table together to enjoy banchan, small side dishes that are served with rice and main dishes. “Food isn’t just a meal, it is the center of gravity for family and friendship,” said Bin. A sentiment that is deeply rooted in his professional philosophy, which has been inspired by people who came before him.
Bin’s grandmother was his very first teacher in the art of resilience, living through times of immense hardship during the Korean War. “She never allowed the weight of the world to dim her spirit,” reflected Bin. “She taught me that while life is inevitably difficult, our response is what defines us.” This resilience is something Bin has carried with him throughout his life and 30-year career in the food service industry. He also leans on the influence of Ming Tsai, a decorated and renowned chef, who trailblazed a path for Asians in the 90s and served as a reminder that Bin’s career aspirations in the food industry were not too big or out of reach. “Ming Tsai helped to destroy stereotypes and brought Asian cuisine into kitchens and on our televisions.”
Bin has spent the last three years at Notre Dame overseeing retail dining operations, ensuring high-quality food and service standards, and fostering a culture of fellowship. Leveraging his professional philosophy rooted in the Korean tradition of community dining, Bin infuses his culture everyday in his role. And lucky for him, the tradition of communal dining and sharing a meal together is a hallmark of the University. Similar to what he is accustomed to in South Korea, Bin sees hundreds of students, staff, faculty, and guests nourish their mind, body, and spirit sitting at long communal tables in the dining halls, unique to Notre Dame, and designed for camaraderie.
As Bin reflects on his heritage as we enter Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, he’s most proud of the level of technology, development, and powerhouse that Korea has become. “Korea was once known as the ‘Hermit Kingdom.’ When I lived there, the country had very little electricity, plumbing, and many of the basic comforts of modern society,” said Bin. “Today, it is almost unrecognizable.”
Originally published by at uoes.nd.edu on May 01, 2026.