Birch Bay’s lone waterfront restaurant is an attraction like no other. Bay Breeze opened in 2018 and is a fish and American cuisine restaurant nestled on the sandy beach of Birch Bay.
Last February, Hun Hur traveled from South Korea to become the new manager of Bay Breeze, his family’s business. The building itself has been owned by Hur’s wife’s family since 1991.
When Hur took over the restaurant, he brought on a new kitchen staff including head chef, Jeremy Kiens, who has spent over 20 years as a chef in Chicago and Washington state.
“I interviewed maybe 10 more people before I met him, but the day I met him I hired him,” Hur said. “It has been my most important decision so far.”
Hur has had to make many decisions as the manager of Bay Breeze. The restaurant closed on January 1 for renovations and menu changes but will reopen on Saturday, January 18.
“We’re addressing chronic issues caused by the building’s age,” Hur said.
Popular items like the parmesan herb-crusted rockfish and the fish and chips will remain on the menu with small changes surrounding them.
“I want to make a menu that has classic food with a little Asian touch,” Hur said.
When Hur went to Korea University, he initially followed a path set by his parents to become a doctor. But when he met college peers chasing their dreams, he decided to explore other opportunities.
After graduating in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, Hur had still not found the dream he was chasing. He and his wife then worked on a women’s clothing brand until 2023.
Now Hur manages the popular restaurant in Birch Bay, a community he finds much more peaceful compared to Seoul.
Bay Breeze supports the local community by sourcing its fish from Lummi Seafood Market, bread from Anna’s @BreadinBlaine, and vegetables from MicroLife Gardens and Spotted Owl Farm.
“We love fresh ingredients,” Hur said. “We believe fresh ingredients make great dishes.”
Hur has also made it a focus for Bay Breeze to participate in local events such as Bellingham SeaFeast, held last October.
By connecting his business to the locals of Birch Bay, Hur hopes the restaurant can welcome regular customers into its doors.
“I believe the core of a restaurant lies in its taste and service,” Hur said. “I aim to be recognized as a restaurant that stays true to its fundamentals.”
Restaurant recommendation: Hur recommends that readers try the “My Family’s KFC Sandwich,” a Korean fried chicken sandwich.
This article is part of a new series in The Northern Light highlighting Blaine and Birch Bay restaurants.
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