Nestled among the swaying trees on the sun-drenched highway connecting Falmouth and Montego Bay is a charming restaurant called Muk Bang, the brainchild of Javoi and Kim McCook, a husband-and-wife team whose culinary talents blend the vibrant flavors of Jamaica. and Chinese cuisine.

McCook explained the motivation behind the restaurant and how they decided on the name of the restaurant.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we left Sandals and decided to strike out on our own. We were looking for a name that would be catchy and represent what we planned to offer customers a variety of food options. Especially since I’m a vegetarian and it’s always hard to find those options on this side, and my wife is Chinese so it’s fusion “It was a mix of Jamaican, Chinese and vegetarian. The name came to us while watching Wayne Marshall and Tami Chin; Tami would want us to get a Muk Bang from Wayne.”

“We opened in 2021 and we need to thank God! Of course, the best-selling Jamaican dishes are curried goat and oxtail, while Chinese favorites are chow mein, mala chicken, sweet and sour chicken, and vegetarian options are chickpeas and ribs. Food has always been a part of me; “I like to joke that the word ‘cook’ in my last name is no coincidence,” McCook added.

Both partners have a common background in food; McCook was the butler chef and worked extensively with chefs, while Kim earned a degree in hospitality and tourism and worked at several restaurants, which led to her becoming a chef manager at Shoes Resorts International.

“I grew up in Jamaica and went to Canada for high school, where my brother had a restaurant called Jerk King and I was always helping out there. I came back to Jamaica, started working in a restaurant and eventually opened my own restaurant, then went to Sandals. We met in the kitchen at Sandals, had a shared love of food and wanted to open a restaurant, and here we are,” Kim explained.

“When people walk in, they’re amazed that this space is actually here, and we back that up with great service and great food. We emphasize the hospitality aspect of our business and maintain consistency, and we believe that’s what keeps our customers coming back. We create a welcoming atmosphere and treat our customers like family.” added Kim.

The husband-wife duo is looking forward to adding food and more dining options to the menu. There is currently an entertainment package on Fridays that includes live and retro music and singing.

“We want Muk Bang to be in other neighborhoods to offer this great experience and family-friendly environment,” McCook said.

Text and photos: Aceion Cunningham

Address: Rock, Falmouth

Working hours: Monday – Saturday 12:00 – 22:00

Phone Number: 876-4428983 / 876-379-7115