Founder Spotlight: Bakrin Ahn (MM Beef)
Meet Bakrin Ahn
We operate MM Beef, a gourmet Korean Wagyu steak alternative brand. Our products, made using fermentation technology and mushrooms, offer the authentic taste and texture of premium Korean Wagyu steak while being completely plant-based.
Location:
Seoul, South Korea
When did you launch the business?
2018
Become a VEGPRENEUR member today!
Join the biggest plant-based business community in the world.
Startup Stage?
Bootstrapped
What led you to where you are today?
It all started with the desire to break the stereotype that vegan meat is just fake meat and to popularize vegan cuisine. I want to showcase dishes that are not bland or boring, but sensual and vibrant. With the belief that delicious food resonates with everyone, I aim to highlight the excellence of vegan cooking.
What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?
I wish I had known the importance of deeply understanding people—whether they are consumers team members, or investors. Building relationships, addressing diverse needs, and navigating emotions are just as critical to success as a solid business plan.
What is the most difficult decision you've had to make regarding your business so far?
One of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make is determining whether Wagyu-like plant-based meat would appeal to traditional Wagyu consumers, and whether manufacturing in Korea is the best strategy. Balancing quality and price has been a constant challenge. While I initially chose to prioritize quality over price, I’ve come to realize that a startup must strike a balance between craftsmanship and scalability to truly survive and grow.
What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with?
We can share the development story of our plant-based premium beef. Chunk-style meat, unlike ground meat, is rare in the market, and we believe it will spark the interest of the community.
How can the VEGPRENEUR community help you?
We hope to be given the opportunity to introduce our emerging Korean brand globally and seek sales-related support within the community. Specifically, we are looking for premium market distributors in the U.S. and Europe.
Fun fact about you:
I live with two dogs, one of whom is Amber, a small dog who has been a part of my journey in developing plant-based meat. Amber only eats premium beef, so when we finally succeeded in creating a plant-based beef that made her wag her tail and eagerly jump at it, I was truly thrilled.
Anything else you would like to share?
We are excited to share that chef-made product, MM Beef has recently been featured in articles by some of the leading publications in the plant-based industry, including VegNews, Vegconomist, and Green Queen. Kinfolk, and New York Times
Read More On Our Blog
