In the heart of Balmain, sits the Big Tree House cafe and restaurant, where Korean flavours blend with modern Australian cuisine. The owner and head chef is Ted Min, who has been calling Australia home for nearly a decade.
He made the journey from Korea with dreams of making it as a chef in the culinary world. Starting with humble beginnings as a kitchen hand in Sydney’s restaurant scene, he studied and worked hard, gaining valuable experience in various Sydney restaurants. Eventually, Ted became the head chef at Koby Jones, a popular Sydney restaurant that specialised in Japanese fusion cuisine.
When the restaurant closed and COVID-19 struck, like many in the hospitality industry, Ted found himself at a crossroads. However, instead of giving up, he and his wife Rachel saw this as an opportunity to build something new and meaningful. That’s when the Big Tree House in Saint Marys was born, and now five years on, their second successful café and restaurant has opened in Balmain.
Building a Community in Saint Marys
What started as a small, family-run cafe quickly grew into a pillar of the local community. The Big Tree House in Saint Marys became a warm, cosy place where locals gathered for delicious food, comforting coffee, and connection. Ted and Rachel built the restaurant from the ground up – their intention was for it to be more than just a place to eat, but a home away from home for the community.
The couple treated each customer as if they were family. They unknowingly had rugby league star Jacob Liddle, who had taken lockdown refuge in Saint Marys with his partner, as a regular customer. Now his gifted signed guernsey hangs proudly in the Balmain cafe.
But to fully understand Ted’s story, you have to go back to his roots in Korea, where family and community played an equally pivotal role in shaping who he is today.
A Legacy of Family and Community
Ted’s connection to family runs deep. In fact, his grandfather, Min Daehyeok, is a celebrated figure in their hometown of Yeongdong, Korea. Honoured by the government for his exemplary devotion to his parents, Daehyeok’s story is one of extraordinary filial piety – a value deeply ingrained in Korean culture. His devotion to caring for his ageing parents was so profound that it garnered attention from the king of Korea at the time.
In 1892, the 29th year of King Gojong’s reign, Daehyeok was granted a jeongnyeo – a government issued plaque honouring his filial piety and was appointed as a Dongmong Gyogwan, a government educational official. A memorial gate, known as the Filial Piety Gate, was later erected in his honour in Yeongdong County, and it still stands as a testament to the Min family’s legacy of compassion, duty, and community.
The Big Tree House: A Place for Gathering
The inspiration for the Big Tree House cafe’s name comes from Ted’s grandfather’s village, where a large tree house stood at the centre of the community. In that town, the tree house was a place where everyone gathered to share food, laughter, and stories – a place where people helped one another and formed lasting bonds. The Bujang-ri Shelter is a symbol of community spirit, where people can escape the busyness of daily life and find solace in the company of others.
Ted has brought that same spirit to his cafes in both Saint Marys and Balmain. He and Rachel have created more than just restaurants – they’ve built spaces where everyone is welcome, and where people can come together and feel a sense of belonging. This notion of community, where everyone is welcome and treated with respect, has always been at the heart of Ted’s vision for the Big Tree House.
A Cafe with Heart
Today, the Big Tree House in Balmain embodies everything that Ted and Rachel have worked hard to build. It’s a cafe restaurant where the food is delicious, and the experience is meaningful. From hearty Korean food to Western classics, every dish is a reflection of Ted’s journey as a chef and his desire to bring people together.
When you visit the Big Tree House, you’re not just coming for a meal – you’re stepping into a place where community, family, and food intersect. It’s a place where, like Ted’s grandfather’s tree house, people gather to relax, share stories, and enjoy good food in good company.
So the next time you’re in Balmain, stop by the Big Tree House and experience firsthand the warmth and hospitality that has made it such an integral part of the community. Whether you’re a long-time local or just passing through, Ted and Rachel will make sure you leave feeling like part of the family.